4 Month Update

4 Months

We don't have accurate stats for Isaiah this month, but we know he's gained weight and gotten longer! Typically, we visit a pediatrician every month but this month was pretty busy and now he's almost 4 1/2 months. We'll probably visit again next month but we're just thankful for not needing to see a doctor  :)

Likes: 

smiling at anyone who talks to him 

sleeping on his tummy 

rolling from back to tummy

Mommy and Daddy 

music

swinging in the hammock

his new bouncy chair 

"talking" back and forth with us

sucking his thumb

This month was super busy for this little family. We’ve had visitors all month and we traveled quite a lot. One reason for our traveling was that Isaiah got his US passport and Certificate of Birth Abroad. He’s official!

Although the month was busy, it was also full of really special moments. Isaiah got to meet his Randaddy (Josh’s dad) who came to stay with us for three weeks and his Aunt Alyssa (Josh’s sister) who came for a week with some friends. He instantly loved them!  We also went on our first family vacation as 3 (plus one)! We went back to Baguio City with Randaddy and enjoyed the cool mountain air. This little man of ours is a traveling pro! And finally, we had a baby dedication at our church for Isaiah. We chose ‘ninongs’ and ‘ninangs’ (Filipino godparents) who gave a commitment to holding us accountable to raise Isaiah in a godly home. It was a really special service that we look forward to telling Isaiah about one day. Although we may not live here for Isaiah’s raising, it was important to us to have a dedication here with this community who no doubt sees Isaiah as one of their own. We know they’ll support us in prayer even from a world away. 

Isaiah also stayed with a babysitter for the first time this month. Josh and I went on a lunch date for our 2 year anniversary and we left Isaiah with our neighbor and his Randaddy. Of course everything was fine but it felt like the longest two hours of my life! A million thoughts went through my head, like “what if he gets hungry and I didn’t leave enough milk?” or “what if he thinks I've abandoned him?” I’ve never been so happy to get him back in my arms. Who knew you could love someone so small so much?!  

This month was a pretty big month for development. Our boy finally mastered tummy time. He loves being on his tummy now, which is quite the opposite of how he felt about it last month! I mentioned in his last update that he rolled over for the first time. He didn’t roll again for a week or so, but by the end of the month he was rolling all day every day! He gets tickled with himself every time he plops over from back to belly. He especially loves to roll as he is waking up from his naps. Time to line the bed with pillows! He’s also begun interacting with people a lot more. We’ve all enjoyed playing with him as he ‘sings’ along with us, throws his arms around like he’s dancing, talks and coos back and forth with us, and giggles so hard he gets the hiccups. He is so curious about the world around him and can’t stand to stay in one place for too long. He wants to be walked around so he can look at everything! He especially loves people-watching and it takes little to nothing to distract him.

The next milestone Isaiah seems to be approaching is teething. He is drooling like crazy all the time. I’m preparing for the days of frozen washcloths and teethers. Funny side note: Here in the province, the Filipinos use…drum roll…chicken gizzards as teethers! They boil the gizzard, tie it on a string, and then around the baby’s neck or pinned to their clothes, and voila….an easy access teether :) 

As for sleeping, Isaiah is still a good sleeper. Because of our crazy-busy month, his naps are anything but consistent. They are at different times practically every day, but he does nap. He typically has a morning nap and a couple afternoon naps. He sleeps well at night, but has been waking more often through the night lately. Maybe it’s a growth spurt or the start of teething; maybe it’s the fact that he likes to practice his rolling skills all night. Maybe it’s because it’s still really stinking hot here. I have noticed, though, that when I’m able to get him to bed a little earlier, he sleeps later in the mornings. One big change in his sleeping habits is that he has outgrown his bassinet. He can technically still fit, but he doesn’t have enough room to roll and the boy likes to roll. So…he’s back in the bed with us until we get to America. I never thought I wanted my children to sleep with us, but I must admit he’s a sweet little cuddler. He does end up usually pushing me out of the bed at night, though. Josh has to pull him back over to his side so that I can squeeze back on! All in all, the nights are fine with this four month old.

Isaiah still eats around every 1.5-3 hours. And he sped right through his size 3-6 month clothes and is also wearing 6-9 months now. Can we say slow down?!

This month we also found out that Isaiah looooves the hammock. His Randaddy would sit in it a lot with him and he would usually fall fast asleep. He gets restless staying in one position for too long, but as long as he can see new things, I think he would stay in the hammock all day. He also got a new bouncy chair from his Lola and Papaw (my parents) this month. They sent it to us with Aunt Alyssa and he loves it! Mommy also loves the hands-free time :) We’ve talked about how much he would have probably loved a mobile, but now his bouncy chair has fun toys that dangle over him and he just loves it. He’s figured out that if he kicks his legs the toys will dangle so he’s quite the kicker!

We also noticed Isaiah becoming a "Mama's boy" this month. He went through a spell where he cried when anyone else held him. Thankfully that was short lived and he’s quite the social butterfly again…as long as mama is in sight :)  If he can't see me he's not happy about it. Another one of his favorite things is morning daddy time. Josh has been so sweet to get up with Isaiah when he wakes up at 5AM and take him outside to the hammock where he sings and talks to our boy until he drifts back to sleep. Sometimes that’s not an easy task and I’m incredibly grateful for the help…and extra 30 minutes of sleep! 

I hope you all are enjoying watching this boy grow as much as we are. Only one more update to be written from the Philippines...

 Isaiah, 
I never knew that being your mommy would be so special to me. I had no clue that I could love someone so small so much. Being your mother is the most important role I've been given and I pray that I steward you well. I'll love you forever. 
Love, Mama

Isaiah,
 I'm so glad you are ours to raise.  You're one special boy.  As we move on to the USA, I pray that we will pass on the best of both worlds where we've lived.  Right now your mom is trying to get you to sleep, and you're slowly getting there.  I know she's ready to put you down, and in years to come, she may wish she could hold you again in the same way.  You've really put up some battles lately as she tried to get you to nap.  Isaiah, the Lord has given me some great pictures of who I am in Jesus through observing you lately.  May God continue to teach us through you son.
Love, Dad