4 months

brody's 4 months marked much more activity and his emerging gentle personality. he has grown much more comfortable with people (ie - no more screaming when an old lady from church gets in his face). we have had an active social schedule this past month including a going away party, a wedding, visit with family, and church activities, and he has been a champ. he will attempt to stay up forever, so we as a household have adjusted ourselves this month. many parents out there may say "duh" to this, but brody does much better on a schedule. and we as new parents are evolving somewhat, and learning as we go. so, no "us" time until brody has been bathed, nursed, and is in his bed - usually around 8-8:30. and i have learned i must be persistent in this as he will try to convince me he has no need for sleep at that hour.

this month has marked a truce between brody and the carseat - no more endless screaming all the way to key west. and he also has decided that yes, he does like baths and no, he will not scream all through those either. i have also given up rocking him to sleep - he twists and turns and wiggles so much that i now just put him in his bed, pat him some, pick him up some, talk to him in his bed some...whatever i can do to coax him to sleep. despite some scream-fests and crazy days/nights, we do pretty good most of the time. sleep is just not always his favorite activity, despite my efforts to help him see all the benefits.

since i have decided to become the nap-nazi, he has gone to sleep much easier. his nap schedule is strange to me - 1 hour naps about 3-4 times a day, but works well with him. he is still sleeping in his hammock, but that is due to the fact that we have not bought him a crib yet. i could get into how absolutely difficult it is to get anything bought/shipped/ordered/etc down here on the edge of the planet, but it will only frustrate me more, so i will leave it at that.

he had his first beach day this past month, and he did well. he swam, and conked out. good times. he does love to swim - he has been several times now, however, the ocean is not his favorite water to be in.

mostly we have enjoyed lots of grinning, giggling, circular movements on the play mat/big towel, finger-sucking, drooling, rolling over, and just his sweet, sweet nature that comes out in all he does. he is such a joy to us, and we love to see his personality come out more an more every day.
so, onward we go, into the trials of teething (more on that in the next month post), solid foods, sitting up, etc...pile on top of that all our other drama, and you have a packed life. i suppose we wouldn't have it any other way.