Dear Alex,

you won't believe it, but next Wednesday, you're going to be four months old! That's madness to me. You are getting so big and strong.

Two interesting things have happened this week. The first was that, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, you had these horrible crying jags. We couldn't figure out how to make you stop. We theorized that you were just really tired because, once you calmed down, you tended to pass right out for the night. On Wednesday, I calmed you down with a teething ring from the refrigerator, so we are also thinking you may be teething early. Granny Johnson says that your Aunt Cha Cha and I both cut teeth early, so it's possible. You didn't do it on Thursday, and you just sort of half-heartedly did it tonight, while I fed you your bedtime bottle.

The other interesting thing is that you have been sleeping like a champ! For a few weeks now, you've been busting out of your swaddle, and it was getting to the point where the struggling would wake you up. Your Daddy and I had discussed the fact that you probably weren't going to let us do it for much longer. Well, this week, you started flipping over in your swaddle, and we were very concerned that, with your arms pinned down like that, you wouldn't be able to roll back if you needed to. So, with much trepidation, I swaddled you with one arm out on Wednesday night. I expected you'd be waking yourself up all night long, but you slept for 9 hours! And last night, you slept for 10 and a half! You had never slept that long in your entire life, and I hadn't gotten so much sleep since before you were born. I had so much energy at work today, I didn't know what to do with myself. You seem to like sleeping on your tummy or your side. Since all the literature says I should put you down on your back, you had to wait until you were strong enough to flip yourself into your preferred sleeping position. It still makes me a little nervous, but you seem perfectly content.

I had a realization today. Thanks to you, I am probably, at this moment, healthier than I have ever been. Since I have no tolerance, I drink in extreme moderation - usually one glass of wine or a beer while I take a bath. I haven't smoked in over a year, and since I need to lose my baby weight, I exercise almost every day and eat a LOT of fresh fruits and vegetables. So, thanks for that! I really needed to completely quit smoking, even on special occasions, and I don't know if anything else would have moved me to do it besides being pregnant with you. You really are a gift, on so many different levels.

This week, you have started seriously enjoying the bouncy chair your Grandma Garrett and Grandpa Tiny got you. Your feet don't quite reach the ground yet, so we had to put a stack of books underneath for you to bounce off of. You get super excited, and you jump up and down. You also have a new favorite song - the Blue Danube waltz. It's on the music-maker from your activity mat, and it always makes you smile (and sometimes laugh!) when I sing along with it. I'm glad to see you're expanding your musical horizons.

I have started trying to establish a more regular bedtime routine for you. We've always dimmed the lights and played your cricket sounds for you, but I wanted it to be a little more involved. So, I added two things - after I start warming up your bedtime bottle, we sit down and read Goodnight, Moon. Then, we listen to "Walk on the Ocean," and then you eat. I swaddle you (arm out) when you're starting to drift off, and you eat a little bit more before you fall asleep. Then, you go in the bassinet with the cricket sounds.

You have your 4 month checkup on Thursday. I won't be able to go with you this time, so Daddy will have to comfort you after you get your shots. I apologize in advance because I know they will hurt you, but they're for your own good, and Daddy will be there to make you feel better. We love you!

Love,
Mom

almost 4 months out of the oven!