Hiya Zadie-pop!

Well, you're just over 4 months old now. You've finally started gaining weight at a rate that makes me (and the doctor) less nervous.

You're getting really good with your hands; you can grab our noses, our glasses, my hair... In fact, you grab at almost anything within reach. You can (and do) suck your thumb and fingers whenever you want.

Going out to dinner with you has become a little more challenging, because instead of sleeping happily in the sling, you want to sit on my lap and grab at my plate, my fork, my water glass. I don't know what you think you're going to do with a glass (or coffee cup) if you get it, but you REALLY want to find out.

We go outside almost every night and check out the grass, flowers, trees, and stars. You try to grab the roses by the stem, which worries be because of the little thorns. In the day we go on walks and go to the park to check out the ducks and more roses. I try to use sign language for everything we see, but sometimes it's hard because I'm holding you and you're facing away from me.

You make lots of noises, still mostly vowel sounds, but with a few other noises thrown in. Sometimes it really sounds like you're trying to tell us something. You also make a terrible noise that sounds like someone gasping for air after they've narrowly avoided drowning. You respond when I talk or sing to you. Your favorite song right now is "The Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly." You smile like crazy when I start to sing it and do the signs. For some reason, you've been laughing your tiny butt off when I say "Eeeeeee."

You've been scooching across the floor and bed, but mostly backwards and mostly by accident. You push up on your arms, wiggle around, and slide backward. You have a couple favorite toys you will pick up. First is Baby Beans, a doll that was mine when I was a baby. She has ratty red hair, and you love that you can grab her by it so easily. The other is a very soft plush pig that Boompah bought you.

We're working on getting you to take naps by yourself, since I go back to work soon and Grandma will be taking care of you. So far it's semi-successful. You'll go to sleep if I just lie near you, but won't stay asleep long after I get up.

Everything goes in your mouth, including anyone's hands that get too close. You grab people's fingers and pull them to your mouth, then gnaw on them. We think you're pre-teething. You drool a lot, too.

You like being propped up in a standing position on the back of the couch to look out the window. You are in a good mood most of the time, but that's not to say that you never cry or fuss. Sometimes you downright scream for a while and we can't figure out why. Usually it's when you're overtired, though. Mostly, you're a lot of fun to have around. You're cuddly, you laugh, and you're always learning new things.

All right, my darling. I just wanted to update on how you're doing. Someday I hope you'll be interested.

I love you tremendously,

Mom