Wow. It has been over a month since we've written to you. A lot has changed. Now that you're nearly back to sleep, I can tell you about it.
We're pretty sure you are teething, though nothing is showing on your gums yet. You've taken to drooling profusely and gnawing on anything you can get in your mouth. Thus far your favorite teething toy is the Bjorn carrier. If we put you in it facing outward you can soak it with drool in mere minutes. Last night I was a few minutes from taking you to bed when you started screaming while still asleep. You gave your Papa quite a scare, as he came rushing in from bed to see what had happened. After accepting that we weren't gonna get much sleep and giving you some Oragel, you promptly fell asleep for five hours.
You're getting really big now. You will be four months old in a week. Last I checked you were about 13lbs and nearly 24 inches long. That put you in the 50th percentile based on your current age (rather than your corrected age). You've really caught up fast. Thankfully, you are also tolerating spending more time in things like the bouncy seat and the stroller, as it is getting harder on us to hold you for long periods.
Car rides are still a gamble but we have been to Hanford to visit Grandma, Grandpa & Uncle Tom. We took pictures with Aunt Mary who is the oldest living member (98 years and counting) of our entire family. In a couple days we will head north to visit Nana & Grandad and you'll get to meet Uncle Eric and your cousins, Connor and Nicholas.
We have been having little chats now that you are making more sounds. Your laugh fills me with joy every single time I hear it. You found the vowels particularly funny last night as I was reciting them. Sometimes while I'm trying to nurse you to sleep you will look up at me and smile. It is impossible for me not to smile back even though I usually desperately want you to go to sleep.
Speaking of sleep, you spoiled us for a few nights after your last developmental spurt and slept 7-8 hours a night. Unfortunately that didn't last and we are back to the 4 hour chunks. On the mornings when I don't feel like getting up, I pull you out of the co-sleeper and nurse you laying in bed and we doze off snuggled together (that didn't work this morning -- after drinking two boobs you were still wide awake and wanted to talk so we got up and then, naturally, you fell asleep). We've started a bedtime routine that includes Papa changing your diaper and putting on your jammies then reading a story while you nurse. We tried to separate the story and nursing but you would cry through the story because we were delaying your meal. Some day soon you will outgrow the co-sleeper and we will have to decide whether to put you in your own rom or move the crib into ours. I lean toward the latter even though it will be cumbersome. I just love having you where I can just open my eyes to check on you rather than having to get up and go to another room.
This week I started back at work. So far I have been able to put in just over 3 hours each day, usually while you are napping. We stopped by the office to visit everyone. You smiled at the boss and he's planning to put you on "Uncle Dan's Mailing List" so the influx of toys and outfits should be starting soon. He also said I could bring you in to work with me any time which may be handy if I ever need to be in the office. Things seem to be working out well so far but I'm not sure if I will be able to continue working once you start crawling and walking.
Hmmm... You're asleep finally. Do I put you in the pack & play and make breakfast or go back to bed with you. Tough choice.
Love, Mama