Giggles + The Grump: LT

How has it already been four months!?

As bad as we were about keeping the blog up to date when we only had one kid, clearly we've gotten worse since LT has joined our family. In some ways it seems like he just arrived, but it also feels like we've known him forever. He has changed so much in the past few weeks, and he seems to be growing up so quickly. His personality is really starting to show through and he's starting to assert himself and become more comfortable with his surroundings.

LT's favorite activity at the moment is definitely rolling over on to his stomach and propping himself up on his elbows to check out the world. He is rarely content on his back anymore, unless of course he is holding on to his feet and eating his toes. Once he is on his belly, he scoots/inch-worms across the floor. His ability to cover ground is pretty impressive, there have been several times that he's been on a big blanket in the backyard, and I turn around for a minute only to find him all the way across the blanket and in the grass.

Unfortunately, this new skill has also caused quite a disruption in his sleep. Right around 3 months, LT started sleeping for 11 hours at night, and it was GLORIOUS. Of course, right after we got used to the long, peaceful nights of sleep, the inch-worming began. He scoots himself in to the corner, wakes up very angry, and then it takes 45 minutes or so to calm him down and get him back to sleep. Naturally, the process repeats itself a few hours later. The first few weeks during this cycle were brutal, and while he hasn't stopped moving around his crib at night, he at least seems to be figuring out how to maneuver out of the corner. At least for now, everyone is sleeping a bit better.

The lack of sleep was certainly made better by this...

One day after his three month birthday (3/18), which happened to be the first time he rolled over, I was holding LT while reading an Elmo book of tongue twisters to LC. Apparently LT thought it was funny too, because all of a sudden he started laughing. I wasn't sure if he was fussing or laughing at first, but then it turned in to a full belly laugh and it was so cute. A few days later, Trevor accidentally dropped a toy on LT while they were playing and LT started cracking up--gotta love what makes babies laugh. He is still a bit stingy with his laughs, but they are absolutely worth working for.

While he doesn't laugh all that often, LT certainly loves to talk. He likes testing his voice, and especially loves talking to himself in the mirror or imitating Daddy. LC thinks its hilarious when 'baby talks' and he even has his own verse of The Wheels On The Bus - the LT on the bus says 'ah ah goo' - which LC loves to sing.

LT investigating the madness in the playroom

The perils of playing too closely to LC

Much like his sister, LT really enjoys being outdoors. The weather has been surprisingly good so far this year, so we've had lots of time outside. His favorite place so far is in the shade under one of our trees, watching the leaves blow in the window. It's heartwarming watching something so simple and seemingly ordinary be so amazing to an infant.

Absolutely loving the tree

Blue Steel

Recently he has started to show interest in toys as he has learned to grab them and bring them to his mouth. His favorites are a plastic monkey, Obo balls and an elephant covered in tags. He also loves the same piano activity mat that LC used to play on, even though she has claimed half of the toys that hang on it as her own. We have definitely entered the "everything goes in the mouth" phase; as soon as he gets his hands on something, they go straight to his mouth. Despite all of our attempts over the past months to get him to take a pacifier, he is a thumb sucker, just like his sister. At this point, he really only does it when he's tired, upset or in his sleep, and it is really cute.

Another one of his favorite activities is standing up. He is so strong, he can stand pretty much on his own, just holding on to our hands for balance. He'll do it as long as he can, then he'll rest for a few minutes in your lap until he's pushing back up to stand again.

We had his four month check up last week and the doctor said everything is looking good. He came in at 15 pounds, 1 ounce and right around 26 inches long. The doctor didn't make any comments about his wingspan, but Trevor is fairly certain it's off the charts. All signs are pointing to him being tall like his dad.

After the four month check up, we were cleared to start solid foods. On Saturday (4/27) we gave him oatmeal for the first time. It didn't take him long to figure out the spoon, and he was eagerly eating after only a few tries. LC had a good time mixing her own oatmeal in a bowl and really wanted to try to feed LT. Maybe once he gets the hang of eating in a few weeks, we can give that a try, but it is another promising sign of her love for her baby brother. She has recently started trying to play with him, mostly putting her toys on him has a 'hat' which isn't exactly the most baby friendly game, but he doesn't seem to mind. In fact, he pretty much loves everything she does, as she is most certainly his favorite thing to watch. And while saying 'baby go night night' is one of her most common phrases, LC is starting to give him spontaneous hugs, kisses and nee nees (nose rubs) and likes to brush his hair, pick out his clothes and choose his diapers. Seeing the two of them interact is pretty much the greatest thing ever.

Not terribly impressed with the first bite

A few minutes in and he's eating like a pro

LT is an awesome little baby with a lot of personality. He lets you know when he is unhappy, but thankfully those times are becoming less frequent, and he is generally sweet and charming. We are having so much fun with him, and we can't wait to see what the next few months have in store.