Gavin (Month 4)

Oh sweet BIG boy!
You looked right at me and leaned forward as if to say, "Hey, Mama... I don't think I want to sit still for pictures!"

Thanks for indulging me, sweet little man.  That's more like it! 

You look so HUGE to me now.  Sigh.

Dear Sweet Gav-man,
You are four months old.  What?!

You are a happy little guy (though you're still not lovin' the car much). 

You continue to be easy going (though daddy might beg to differ, but that's only when you're hungry and he can't provide you what you want). 

You have become a bottle snob.  You won't even take breast milk from a bottle now.  We must work on this as it is unacceptable!  (That being said, I love that you and I have accomplished this great thing by being successful at breastfeeding.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.)

Your faux-hawk has gotten really long, yet the sides of your hair have fallen out and the new hair is very blonde.   If you were a middle-aged man, you'd be considered a guy with a comb-over, but on you, well, it's just too cute!

Little bits of your 4-month-ness that I want to remember forever

You love to play and you giggle a lot.  One of your favorite things with me is to fly... you fly through the house and you love to lay on my knees while I make airplane noises and you "soar" around.  (This was also a favorite of Preston's well past the age of two.  Just wait, Gavin, the rides get crazier the bigger you get.  I am sure you'll love it!

You love bouncing, you kick your legs like crazy when you watch your dog run and play outside.

You easily grab at toys and put them in your mouth.
Everything goes in your mouth and lots of drool comes out.  Lots.

You love being "worn" in the Baby Bjorn or the Moby Wrap... facing out, of course, so you don't miss anything.  You thoroughly enjoy dancing when you're in there. I repeatedly say "dance with me" and we groove.  You crack up.  And, if you dance with Preston you really love it!  The other night the whole family danced with you and you couldn't stop giggling.

You continue to be a great night sleeper and take one solid nap during the day.  The only way to get a good second nap out of you is if you get in the car and scream yourself to sleep!  Otherwise, I might get 45 minutes from you in the afternoon (and that's adding up cat naps).  It's okay, though, I am super grateful for your solid nights!

This was taken last night just after you fell asleep. 
I adore that you are cuddling the giraffe.  It was Preston's first Valentine gift from Nana and he is happy to share it with you - - and quick to remind you that it was his first!
I take it away once you are asleep for safety.  Tonight, you drifted off while clutching him again.  So sweet.

You are a total flirt and will smile at anyone who smiles at you or engages you in conversation.

You have started squealing with delight and you get super mad (and vocal) when you can't reach a toy or if you drop it.  You already seem to understand the concept of "object permanence" for when you're in the Bumbo and you drop a toy, you lean over and look for it.

Prime examples of the faces that you make when you are less than thrilled.
Even though I don't like it when you're sad, I love these faces!

You turn toward our voices when we say your name.  You look around when Daddy holds you and asks, "Where's mama?"  And you absolutely, positively, adore your sister and brother.

Gracie wanted in on the action when we were taking your pictures.  She scooted over, eyed your toy, stole it, then decided she was far more interested in playing with your toes. 
I love the mildly bewildered expression on your face when she grabbed your toy.  The whole interaction reminded me so much of what she used to do with Preston.  She loves your feet just as much as she loved his!  And, she chuckles at you the same way she did with him.  You have no idea how happy this makes me.

You love when we read together.  You listen intently and look at the pictures with such focus. 

This was taken a couple of weeks ago (coincidentally wearing the same shirt as in your 4 month pics!) while Preston read one of your crinkly books to you.  I adore everything about how you look... your little hands clasped and your sweet face concentrating so hard.

You even loved story time when I was pregnant.  I'd read to Preston and Gracie and you'd get really active.  I assume you liked the cadence of me reading.  (Especially when compared to me sternly and repeatedly telling Preston to brush his teeth!  Ha!)

The other night you sat still for an entire reading of "Horton Hatches the Egg."  That's a long book.  Pretty cool, Gav, I hope this continues forever.

You were popular on facebook with your lesson on "How to smile with your whole entire face!"
I just love this of you... you were looking at Preston doing something goofy. 

You grew a birthmark.
See it?  It's really light in this picture, but this is the first one I took after I noticed it was not, in fact, something that needed to be washed off!  It's in the middle of your forehead, a bit darker now... and so cute.  :)

You got much better at tummy time...

And are now so close to pushing up onto your elbows.

You don't yet roll over completely on your own on a regular basis, but are so close. 

The "fluke" rollovers from 2 3/4 months were just that... flukes.

You still manage to scoot when rolling side to side (and when you kick your legs real hard) as, the other day, I put you in the middle of your activity mat and within 15 minutes, you were complete off of it!

This footage was taken on May 30th, just a few days after you started blowing raspberries.  This was the first "reciprocal raspberry conversation" you ever had.  Daddy and I were floored that you were trying to copy him.  (The sound is low, so you have to listen carefully!)  Now, just two weeks later, you're even better at it!

You are deliciously sweet and snuggly. I love watching you grow and change (though not how fast it's happening) and adore seeing you light up when you see your sister, brother and daddy. And, every time you look at me and grin just because, I truly melt. I could stare into your soulful blue eyes all day, sweet baby boy.

I love you so much,
Mommy

** At your 4 month check-up, you weighed in at 14 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 25 1/4 inches. **