When she's not called Sissy (or Sissypants, that's my nickname for her), we call her "Smiley". That is because Maryn smiles nearly all the time. They are BIG smiles, too, and she wrinkles up her little nose and squints her eyes. It's so adorable. She also laughs and squeals, particularly when I sing Apple Bottom Jeans (that is her jam, since she rocks boots with the fur) or hoist her up into the air (she loves that!) Maryn also loves to be around people, and doesn't even mind if other people hold her. Although she prefers being held, she also enjoys her new excersaucer. The pediatrician encouraged us to use it because her core is quite strong (but her head a little flat!)
So beyond the smiling, laughing, and general social changes we've witnessed, the sleep department has seen the biggest victory (and then defeat) this month. At the end of her third month she was up all the time at night, which I wrote about in her last post. The night of her 3 month birthday, I moved her from her rock-n-play into her crib. Then my neighbor brought me a Merlin Magic Sleepsuit (since Maryn was fighting her swaddle so much). Right after that, the doctor assured me that she is big enough and eating enough during the day to forgo all the nighttime snacks. With her blessing, James and I decided to not go in to her room when she woke. All it took was a couple of nights and 5 minutes of letting her cry before she started to sleep!!! We had about 3 solid weeks of sleeping through the night, and it. was. glorious. Maryn napped like a real textbook baby, too.
And then we narrowed in on 4 months and everything went to hell in a hand basket. We traveled to Texas and Maryn cried a bit during the first night. I quickly fed her to keep her from waking her big brother or the entire house. Girlfriend thought "oh, great! we're back to night feeds!" and has demanded them ever since. Then I got very sick with a sinus infection, and my milk supply tanked. I was (well, still am) convinced that Maryn was not getting enough milk (despite her rolls), so I fed her every time she made a peep (which is 2-3 times a night). I also ditched the Merlin Sleepsuit (because if things were bad, might as well make it worse, right?) No Merlin meant no more naps for Maryn girl. AAAAAAAUGH.
Despite not eating or sleeping all that great the past week or so, Maryn is still a little ray of sunshine and super content with her life. Let's hope we can get things back on track again in month 5.
So beyond the smiling, laughing, and general social changes we've witnessed, the sleep department has seen the biggest victory (and then defeat) this month. At the end of her third month she was up all the time at night, which I wrote about in her last post. The night of her 3 month birthday, I moved her from her rock-n-play into her crib. Then my neighbor brought me a Merlin Magic Sleepsuit (since Maryn was fighting her swaddle so much). Right after that, the doctor assured me that she is big enough and eating enough during the day to forgo all the nighttime snacks. With her blessing, James and I decided to not go in to her room when she woke. All it took was a couple of nights and 5 minutes of letting her cry before she started to sleep!!! We had about 3 solid weeks of sleeping through the night, and it. was. glorious. Maryn napped like a real textbook baby, too.
And then we narrowed in on 4 months and everything went to hell in a hand basket. We traveled to Texas and Maryn cried a bit during the first night. I quickly fed her to keep her from waking her big brother or the entire house. Girlfriend thought "oh, great! we're back to night feeds!" and has demanded them ever since. Then I got very sick with a sinus infection, and my milk supply tanked. I was (well, still am) convinced that Maryn was not getting enough milk (despite her rolls), so I fed her every time she made a peep (which is 2-3 times a night). I also ditched the Merlin Sleepsuit (because if things were bad, might as well make it worse, right?) No Merlin meant no more naps for Maryn girl. AAAAAAAUGH.
Despite not eating or sleeping all that great the past week or so, Maryn is still a little ray of sunshine and super content with her life. Let's hope we can get things back on track again in month 5.
So here we go - her four month stats!
Maryn's Measurements:
- Weight: 14 lbs 2 oz (close to the 75th percentile)
- Height: 25 1/2 inches (still 90th percentile - where is she getting this height?)
At 4 Month Old, Maryn...
…Eats every 3 - 3.5 hours during the day, which resulted in 5 feedings a day (until the set back). She'll take 5-6 ounces in her bottle. Oh, and the bottle? Still hates it. She'll fight it with every ounce of her being until she finally gives up and sucks it dry.
…Sleeps…well, see above. Things were good, then they got bad, and now we've got some work to do this month. (I decided to keep her in the Merlin for naps, although she's officially in a sleep sack for the night. This gives her access to her hands, which she loves.)
…Wears 3-6 month, 6 month, and 6-9 month clothes. I have to cuff the arms and legs to accommodate the larger sizes, but her torso is just so long! Still in size 2 diapers.
…Loves life in general. But also smiling, when people talk to her, chewing on her hands, lounging on her back, the paci, her brother, being outside, being held, hanging toys above her bouncers, nursing
…Does not like the bottle, tummy time, long periods in the car seat, clothes that go over her head, hats
…Is undecided on the new baby carrier (the Beco). Although Mama loves it because it's so much more supportive, Maryn prefers the old k'tan. Let's hope she learns to love it once she's a little bigger and can face forward!
…Is undecided on the new baby carrier (the Beco). Although Mama loves it because it's so much more supportive, Maryn prefers the old k'tan. Let's hope she learns to love it once she's a little bigger and can face forward!
Month Four - We're so happy that you're so happy, Maryn! Now let's try and get some sleep, okay?? :)
Previous Updates on Maryn:
JB's Four Month Update (How do they Compare?): JB - Four Months
Girlfriend, you can't tease mommy like that. Three weeks of sleep is like the promised land...you can't send someone back out of the promised land.
ReplyDeleteBoo for crappy sleep, but yay for a happy, healthy, strong little red-head. : )