{Emma} Four Months

Sister is your favorite person in the world.

Major stink eye. Toe-grabber.

Your left eye is lighter than your right eye.

Sister-sister.

Sweetest smile ever.

A little bit about you this month:

• Mommy stuck to her guns, maintaining that something was causing your reflux and that you are not "just colicky." I knew deep down that something was wrong - and guess what? You are milk-soy protein intolerant (MSPI). I have to be very conscientious of my diet and when something sneaks in - specifically soy because it's in everything - we can always tell within 2 to 6 hours. Especially the next day, you act extremely fussy, projectile vomit, your cheeks get red and chapped, and you get a diaper rash. It's amazing to see the difference in your demeanor when both of our systems are clear of the allergens! You are an entirely different baby! When you are yourself, you are a delight - you are very smiley and easy-going, you eat better, sleep better, don't puke (yay!), and only fuss when you're tired or want attention. I have also noticed you have a sensitivity to eggs, so for now I am avoiding milk, soy, eggs, and wheat. Fingers crossed this is something you grow out of but for now, you and I are in it for the long haul.

• You absolutely love being naked! If you're unhappy, if I go to change your diaper, you immediately smile and grab your toes.
• You grab your toes! This is my favorite new thing you are doing this month.
• You are roly poly but also very tall; your left eye is still lighter than your right eye; you have one extra leg roll on your left leg.
• You are a morning girl - you wake up between 5 and 6am almost every day.
• You want to be sitting up watching the world, riding in Daddy's arms facing outward, or standing on our laps all of the time. You want to see everything and be a part of the action.
• But the flip side of wanting to see everything all the time... you get overstimulated easily, especially by loud noises or having too many kids in your face, like at Tyke Town at the gym.
• You love to fly in the air and giggle the whole time!
• You prefer to nap at home and want it to be quiet while doing so. Napping on the go (in your carseat) is not your forte, although you will nap in the Ergo if we are out and about. Transferring in and out of the carseat... not so successful.
• You are trying so hard to roll onto your tummy! You get stuck three quarters of the way over and get so mad. Once we help you flip over, you're all smiles.
• You sleep on your tummy.
• You would prefer to snuggle and nurse all night long. Once in a blue moon, you will do a good chunk in your crib at the beginning of the night but you've been so sick this month, we've mostly snuggled.
• You survived RSV and a double ear infection (your second) this month.
• You love to kick your legs. Kick, kick, kick! You get extra kicky, active, and silly when you're almost ready for bed. It is a ton of fun!
• No one gets better giggles out of you than your sister-bear. At your well-check, she was jumping like a frog and you were laughing so hard I thought you were going to hyperventilate. You love her above and beyond anyone else and save your best smiles for her. If you are unhappy, she can usually make you grin. She has also taken to writing you songs and "playing" her guitar for you. "Emma... oh Emma... I love you... you are ooooookay..." It melts my heart.
• When Daddy gets home, you always give him the biggest smiles and watch him wherever he goes.
• You give the best stink eye! You tend to look very skeptical before you decide something is worth smiling about.
• You absolutely love to be sang to - skittermerink-a-dink-a-dink is your favorite song.
• You suck on your bamboo Aden & Anais blankets to settle yourself to sleep; you also prefer to go to sleep on your own for most naps, but not bedtime.

Four month stats (as of March 4th, 2015)...
Weight: 16 pounds, 9.4 ounces (90%)
Height: 25.5 inches (90%)
Head Circumference: 17 inches (>95%)
Diaper Size: Size 3, in cloth full-timeClothing Size: 9 monthsNicknames: The Worm, Worm, Number Two, Emi-bean, Emi Tako, Baby Emma