Mattox's 4th Month ~ Traveling Baby

Thursday, July 2, 2015 {one day early}

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Thursday, July 2, 2015 {a couple days late}

In June, you were a traveling baby and saw so many new things in your state.  You rode a lot in the car too which wasn't always fun, but you were a really good sport.  It was also an extremely hot month, and you were a good sport about that too.  We did our best to keep you cool on our travels and adventures.  We loved having you with us making these memories together.  I know you won't remember the trips, but we will tell you all about them when you are older.  You have also had a busy month for development and growth and are just the happiest baby.  We love you bunches and bunches!

Size:  This post is late because you didn't go to the doctor for your 4 month check up until this week so Daddy could go with us.  You had some more of those yucky shots, but you were a great sport about that too.  We were really excited to find out how much you had grown because we could tell you had put on quite a bit of weight and length.  While we were in the waiting room with several babies, I couldn't believe how big you looked compared to them.  One that I thought was about your age although you seemed much longer was actually six months old.  A tiny little girl was also four months old.  You were definitely not the littlest one in the room anymore and that made me so happy for you. You weighed in at a whopping 14 lbs. 5 oz. and were 25 1/2 inches long.  You were exactly the same length as big brother Brody at this age although still not quite up to his big 15 lb. 11 oz. size.  For you, this was an awesome weight as it meant you had put on over 4 lbs. in two months.  You are now in the solid 20th percentile for weight and the 54th for length.  You have been wearing size 2 diapers, mostly 3 to 6 month clothes and some 6 to 9 months for length.  If you keep this up, you will be giving big brother Brody some serious competition!  

Developmental Accomplishments:  It took us a little while to get some loud giggles although you have been giving us big, happy smiles for quite a while.  I finally got the best giggles a couple of weeks ago blowing and making silly noises on your cheeks.  You also seem to be ticklish under your arms.  You are also a very happy baby who loves to be talked to and loves to smile at our silly faces, voices or when tickled.  I tell your brothers you like silly potty humor just like they do.  You have tried to roll over some and can almost make it onto your tummy from your back now.  I just caught you doing that this morning on my bed.  You really like trying to sit up by yourself and can pull yourself up to a sit with only very minimal help from holding onto my fingers.  We aren't really worried about the torticollis anymore because you have great neck control when sitting up.  If I am placing bets, I would say you may just sit up totally on your own by the end of this month just like Brody did.  Evan did it at the more customary six month mark, but Brody could sit up by himself totally at 5 months.  Of course, Brody got lazy after that and was content to just sit and not move or crawl for a very long time.  Ha!  While you haven't shown too much interest in many toys yet, you have developed a love for holding onto your blankie and putting it in your month or just holding it in your little hands.  I love it and was really hoping for another blankie baby!  I have put you in your exersaucer entertainer, but you can't quite sit upright by yourself yet.  I am sure that is coming this month too.  

 
Sleeping:  You are still sleeping great at night.  You usually go to bed by 9:30 or 10:00 (sometimes earlier) and sleep until I have to wake you up which is usually between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. just depending on how tired I am and when I really need to feed you.  Breastfeeding means I compromise a little on the sleeping through the night thing although you would be sleeping through the night if it was up to you.  

Eating:  You are doing so great with eating and are still primarily breast fed.  You usually get one bottle of formula (3 ounces) a day with cereal in it and one bottle of pumped breast milk with cereal.  The addition of cereal has helped a lot with your reflux issues so we have stopped using the Zantac.  You still spit up sometimes and have good days and bad days there, but you still seem to get plenty to eat.  If you spit up more than usual and seem very hungry, I add in a second formula bottle.  If you become able to sit up well on your own, we may try a little baby food next month.  We started at four months with Brody after he had started cereal earlier to help with his reflux, and it went so well.  We waited later with Evan since we had so many feeding issues with him.  I really want you to continue to be like Brody in this area.  I suspect we will start with avocados just like we did with Brody.  You will love them!  

Our theme for pictures this month seemed to revolve around our beach themed clothes since our travels took us to the beach.  These are some of my most favorite outfits! 

One of my absolute favorite outfits.  It was beginning to get a little snug here. 

No, we aren't always happy.  Even his mad faces are cute though. 

I just think this baby has some of the cutest facial expressions.  I love the little poem on this Janie & Jack shirt.  It says:
"A day at the sea
Oh what fun it will be
the sand on my feet
and the sun what a treat!"

Some little smiles mixed with his other expressions. 

Sometimes, I think my mom is a bit crazy. 

Wearing big brother Brody's little crab outfit.  I can't resist taking a picture of his booty with cute things on it.  That smiley crab just makes me smile. 

He and big brother Evan were matching in their beachy crab/lobster shirts.  Mattox was looking pretty fly...for a white guy.  Sorry, I couldn't resist that little 90's humor.  Ha! 

I had to take these weekly pictures in our hotel room, and the lighting was not great. 

My sweet little American baby.  This was Brody's shirt when he was little.  Now, Brody wears Evan's old matching shirt. 

A very happy baby. 

Just a few random shots.  I love the way his hair curls up a little in the back.  This is as close as my babies get to curly hair.  I also love that Daddy let Brody and Mattox take their first bath together.  

Evan really loves his baby brother, and baby brother really loves him too.  He is such an awesome big brother! 

You had to ride in the car a lot this month.  Mommy loves having a mirror to watch you, but I hate seeing you unhappy. 

You went to the beach for the very first time!  

And to the mountains!  

You dressed like a big boy and matched your big brothers for the first time. 

Oh my goodness, I just love your amazing big blue eyes that are really set off now that your lashes have gotten longer and darker.  And those gorgeous smiles too!  

I just love spending time with you and watching you grow.  You are just the sweetest baby!

You have gotten to experience the swings a few times this month.  I am not sure how much you like it, but you don't cry or fuss.  You have a very serious and mature way of looking at the world.  

I just can't wait to see what adventures await us all as you grow up.  We all love you so much, baby boy!