Sam & Amelia

We spent Memorial Day weekend camping with the Petersons and Dupriests. It’s been an annual tradition for them for nearly 20 years, and we joined them for the first time 4 years ago. We had to buy a bigger tent this year to accommodate the pack ‘n play!

We borrowed a baby backpack from the Petersons and took you on two short hikes. On the first hike, you were smiling so big and looking all around at the trees and the lake. I think you already enjoy being outdoors! Our second hike was later that afternoon and you fell asleep with your head resting on the side of the backpack.

You took several long naps on a pallet of blankets because it was too hot to put you in the tent during the day.

We tried to keep you in the shade as much as possible. I covered you with sunscreen and I think that helped keep the mosquitoes away from you, too. We went swimming and gave you a bath to keep cool! Since the campsites had electricity, we also had a box fan blowing on us most of the time! We weren’t truly roughing it…..

We gave you your first solid food this week – rice cereal mixed with apple juice. In the past week you’ve really been watching us when we eat. You didn’t really know what to do with the new texture of the cereal, so you pushed most of it out with your tongue. The second day was a little better, as you opened your mouth when you saw the spoon heading towards your mouth!

We’ll keep trying and in a couple of weeks we’ll move on to veggies. I’ve been reading about making baby food and I think I’d like to give it a try! Maybe not for all of your meals, but at least some of them. We’ll go buy some fresh fruit and veggies from the Farmer’s Market and let you taste some Arkansas-grown produce! Maybe this will encourage mom and dad to eat more veggies, too!

You received a good report from Dr. Sanders at your 4-month check-up! You were “talking” to the doctor while he was giving me advice about sunscreen, upgrading car seats, tummy time and starting solids. You now weight 18 lbs, 2 oz. and are 25.75 inches long. You were not happy after your shots, but I was able to calm you down pretty quickly in the doctor’s office. The rest of the day you had a fever and were feeling pretty bad. It probably didn’t help that you had a little congestion, too.

Sam,
Once again, it’s hard to believe you’re another month older. These past four months have flown by and in the last month you’ve changed the most – being more aware of your surroundings and interacting more with people.

My favorite thing you’ve learned to do is giggle. Dad and I have each heard you laugh once – the first time dad propped you up on the pillows in our bed, while I was in the shower, and you thought it was so funny. I couldn’t believe I missed it! Then last week I had my turn, you and I were swinging on the front porch and Jinx was flopping over on my feet. You let out several hearty laughs when you saw Jinx flop over. Every day we wait for you to do it again, but you must be saving them up for something truly funny!

You’ve discovered your hands! You’re learning that you can use your hands to bring things up to your mouth. You have a duck toy that is very easy for you to grasp and put in your mouth. If that’s not available, you will chew on your bib, burp cloth or even your fist. We think that you might be teething soon because you’re chewing on everything and drooling a lot. You’ve learned to stick your thumb through the loop of your pacifier and pop it out of your mouth, but haven’t mastered putting back in the right way! That makes you upset when your paci comes out, but you never want to let go of it so I can put it back in your mouth! Another cute thing you do: extending your arm straight out and resting your hand on the side of your carrier. We’ve also seen you rest your hand on your knee – it’s too cute! You’re our little man.

You’ve discovered your voice! You like to shriek when your happy and excited! It’s so fun to watch you make noises and then listen to yourself. You like to see how loud you can get and sometimes I think you surprise yourself with you vocal abilities!

We go back to the doctor on Monday for more immunizations. I know you won’t like that, but I am anxious to talk to him about starting you on rice cereal. I initially thought we’d wait until around 6 months to give you solids, but I think you’re ready!

Love you so much,
Mom