Reid is 4 months old

Dear Reid,

I wondered when this would happen. I wondered when I'd get so busy in the day-to-day life of being momma to 2 boys that your "month day" would slip past me. It happened at month 4. Poor second child. 

You are 4 months (and a week) old! I can't believe it, I love it, I am excited by it. You seriously change every day. You are no longer a tiny little newborn, and I'm so glad that I can say we survived that time! Every day with you gets a little bit easier and more fun. You are growing and changing and trying to become independent and doing everything you can to keep up with your big brother. 

When once you would scream and cry and fuss if you weren't being held, now you give great big grins when we put you in your exersaucer. You used to demand our attention constantly, but now you can entertain yourself with your toys for decent stretches of time. You used to hate being placed on your tummy, but now you lift yourself up and look around and reach for things. You roll over like a pro, scoot backwards, and attempt to rock on your hands and knees. 

I've heard that second babies grow too fast, and I wholeheartedly agree! Watching Cohen makes you want to do the things he does. You no longer lie back in your swing-- you pull yourself into a sitting position. You may be close to sitting up on your own. You like to play with your brother's toys, too, and show little attention to your baby toys. You fight naps when Cohen is awake too-- you don't want to miss any of the action!

An exciting milestone this week is your first experiences with food. You are still exclusively breastfed (we are rockstars!), and I wanted to keep you on only milk until you turned 6 months old. But you had other plans. You have started grabbing food from our plates and out of my hands while we ate, so I figured you were trying to tell us something. We put you in your high chair, and I gave you a stick of toast, and you knew exactly what to do with it: you grabbed it and put it straight to your mouth! We are doing baby led weaning with you, which means you will real food with your family instead of purées from a jar. The rule is simple: we put soft, healthy foods on your tray, and if you can get it in your mouth, you can have it. So far, you've had a taste of canteloupe (too slippery!) and toast. In the coming weeks, I plan to introduce avacado and steamed green beans. You only get licks and tastes right now- most food will end up on your body or on the floor, and that's perfectly fine: for the first year of your life, food is just for fun anyway! And kid, I know we're going to have lots of fun. 

You had a doctor appointment last week. You weighed a few ounces shy of 17 pounds (75th percentile) and were 25 inches long (25th percentile). Basically what that means is you are short and stout! You are just adorable with your rolls on rolls on rolls. Your fat little thighs are to die for. I love to massage them, and you love that too! You are wearing some 3-6 month clothing but mostly 6 month clothes. You've got a little room to grow before we move you to the next size. 

Your smile! You flash it often, and it's so beautiful. You love when people talk to you, and your whole body smiles. You laugh for your brother only, but I can get some giggles out of you if I'm acting particularly silly. You are super ticklish and giggle through tickles on your sides and neck. 

You are still sleeping with me at night. We typically go to bed at 8, and you sleep hard until about 2. After that, you're up every hour. You snuggle me so sweetly when you sleep: there's always a had on my chest and a leg hiked up on my stomach. I treasure nighttime with you. 

I don't know how we ever did life without you in it. You so perfectly complete our family. Every morning is so sweet because I wake up to you, and every night is precious because I kiss your head before I close my eyes. You've made me a much more laid back mom, and you turned Cohen into the best big brother I could ever imagine. We love you, little boy, more than you'll ever know.