For Rory: Rory Keiko 4 Month Update

Rory,

When I was pregnant, other parents would always tell me to enjoy the first year because it passes so quickly. Boy were they right! I can't believe you are already 4 months old. You are super alert and very observant and you have a constant smile on your face. You love petting Marli and watching her run around the living room. Your favorite book is "Brown Bear Brown Bear" by Eric Carle, and you can't get enough of the Baby Einstein videos. You know how to roll over from your back to your tummy and you love "standing" with mommy's help. We are trying to get you on a schedule, which is proving to be quite difficult. Right now you are napping about 4 times a day, but never for the same amount of time! We also don't leave the house much because you hate your carseat. We barely pull out of the driveway before you start screaming. I think God made me your mommy so that I could learn patience!

You wake up 1-2 times a night, and no matter what time you go to bed, you wake up at 6 am! You are happiest in the morning and you like to talk to yourself in your crib until mommy or daddy comes to get you. You have discovered your hands and you love sucking on your thumb and anything else you can shove in your mouth. On nice days, we take walks around the neighborhood in your stroller. Sometimes we have playdates with your friend Cooper, who is one month younger than you. Of course, you don't really play together yet, but it's fun for Cooper's mommy and I to catch up and discuss the joys and challenges of motherhood.

We've also had lots of visitors this month. Your grandparents from Connecticut were here for a long weekend, and they fell in love with you like I knew they would. Mommy's college friend, Katie, visited us during her spring break. Unfortunately, she came at the beginning of our nap training efforts, so we didn't leave the house much, but she and mommy were able to catch up and make lots of good food. Daddy's old boss from New Hampshire was here for one night after a few days of skiing in the mountains. He took lots of pictures of you so that he could show you off to all of daddy's old co-workers.

Your dad and I still can't believe how incredibly lucky we are to have you in our lives. You bring such joy to us each and every day! I am so looking forward to seeing how much you grow and change in the next month!