Lots of Catching Up to Do

To capture what's been going on in the Morgan house, I have the most brilliant, eloquent blog posts written...in my head.

In fact, when I'm laying awake in the middle of the night, unable to fall back to sleep after Nathan beckons me (I swear I am starting to have insomnia), I often find myself composing updates and repeating clever, interesting prose over and over. It's a sickness, I think.

We've had lots going on and I have lots of photos to download so I can capture the fifth (!) month of our little monkey's life. It may just have to wait another few days (or weeks) while I organize our life around our big, upcoming MOVE!

That's right, after living at "The Yards" for three and a half years for me and six years for Ryan, we are packing up our family and moving to a new house - a bigger space in a better neighborhood with a great yard and a fabulous open floorplan for entertaining. I am so excited!

We close tomorrow and have a week of work in the empty house before moving all of our things over. It's a lot of different workers and deliveries to coordinate but I am so looking forward to it all coming together.

So I'll continue to compose my updates instead of counting sheep and hope that eventually they make it onto the blog. That, or I'll keep packing in my head. Yeah, I've been doing that, too. I told you, it's a sickness.

Child Abuse?

We got together with the Bridges family on Labor Day for a little cookout and playdate. 

Nathan loves hanging out with his buddy Parker!

Parker, on the other hand, wanted to give Nathan a piece of his mind...

And took an interest in beating poor Nathan up!

Nathan didn't seem to mind it, though, and they're still good friends.

It's so funny to see the boys interact now that they are aware of each other. Nathan is gaining on Parker in size so he just better watch out next time or he'll be the one getting a finger in his mouth! Haha!

Four Month Well Visit

After visiting the doctor three times in the past month for a mysterious poop issue (we've seen some blood but all tests come back negative so we're hoping it's nothing), we were back again for Nathan's four month check-up.

He's packed on the weight in the last two months and is up to 14 pounds now! 

Even still, he's only in the 25th percentile.

His head measured 16.75 inches (in the 50th percentile)

And he grew to 25.25 inches long (also 50th percentile).

Our little monkey is long and lean!

The doctor said he checked out perfectly and is doing great. 

Nathan was super happy with that news and chatted it up while we waited for the dreaded 4-month shots.

Poor guy didn't know what was coming!

I couldn't help but take a photo of his feet ("clapping") - they are too cute!

He got an oral injection and three shots. After a quick bout of screaming and his face turning redder than I've ever seen, the bubs ended up calming down and acted fine. He was even talking and smiling as we left the office. I was so proud of him!

We got the all clear to start solids when we want to but I am not sure he is ready (or that I am for that matter) so we're going to hold off for a few more weeks. Nothing else major to report and it was an overall great check-up!

Four Months

Nathan, you are four months old today!

I never would have thought the newborn stage would come and go so quickly but here you are now, so alert, discovering new things every day and constantly changing before my eyes! You are definitely not such a little mush anymore!

You are a happy boy, sharing the gummiest grins with anyone that smiles at you. We'll get an occasional giggle, too, but you keep us working hard for them because whatever was funny yesterday isn't necessarily funny again today.

You are talking up a storm and have not only discovered new sounds but you're constantly blowing raspberries and bubbles. On top of that, you are most definitely teething and drool all over the place. Needless to say, we go through a lot of burp rags!

Your hands are always in your mouth and you've recently discovered your feet, so I know it's only a matter of time before those are in there, too. You're still not rolling over but you love to "stand" and bear a lot of weight on those legs. You also prefer to be held upright - no more cradling like a baby for you! You'd much rather see the world around you from over my shoulder.

You're still eating for around 30 minutes about 7 times a day. When I'm not around you chug a bottle and hate when it's all gone! After eating, we play for an hour or so and then you take a nap. Lately they have only been averaging 45 minutes, which doesn't leave a lot of time for me to get stuff done, but it seems to be all you need.

The activity mat is still your favorite play spot and we've started using the jumperoo for a change of pace. We sing and read (you like Curious George) and talk to each other throughout the day. You keep me busy! Tummy time is still a battle but you're so good at it and have been lifting your head so much higher and longer.

You've started sleeping longer stretches at night and there have been a few blessed nights where you've gone down around 9 pm and slept until 5 or 6 am. Let's hope that trend continues! We still swaddle you for naps and overnight and it seems to work for you.

Every day is a new adventure and each week seems to bring a new schedule that we adjust to, but I am taking your lead and going with the flow. I am loving your little personality and watch with anticipation as it continues to blossom.

I am so lucky to be able to stay home with you every day and witness all of your milestones first-hand. I love you so much!

xoxo

Four Month Stats

Weight: 14 pounds

Diapers: size 2

Clothes: 3-6 month and 6 month, depending on the brand

(but you're so long I doubt you'll stay this size for very long!)

Jumping Bean

We have quite the kicky feet in our house so I figured Nathan was getting strong enough to try out a new toy - the jumperoo! Cousin Carter has one we were going to borrow but I just couldn't wait so we ordered our own and got it all set up last week. He isn't exactly tall enough to touch the ground in it, but a little towel support and he can bounce to his heart's content. (love these footie pajamas!)

He's quite taken with the lights and sounds and I'm not sure he knows just what to do with it yet, but it looks like it's going to be fun!

Of course, Jax is curious about this new contraption and had to get a closer look. Poor girlie just doesn't know what to do with all this baby stuff in the house!

Football Season

Fall is in the air (in some places), tailgates have begun and bands are striking up their fight songs. Someone is a little excited for his first college football season! It's hard to believe that I went to my last Georgia game 9 years ago. Sadly, I have not made it back since I graduated even though every season we agree that we need to make it up to Athens to watch the Dawgs play between the hedges. One of these days we'll go!

Being avid fans of our own teams, Ryan and I have agreed that to be fair Nathan will get to sport the colors of the team that has the bigger game that week. The season opener for the Dawgs won this week so Nathan got to wear his red and black.

When it comes time for Georgia/Florida, I'll have to whip him up something special so he can represent both teams. We have to be fair, I guess.

Poor little guy is going to be pretty confused growing up!

Hope everyone is as excited as we are for football to start! Now, if only the Dawgs wouldn't break my heart each week like they do each season. We're not off to the best start!

Puppy Love

They're still a little unsure of each other... But I know one day Nathan will be chasing Jax around the yard and throwing balls for her and she'll be loving it!

Our latest tricks

Now that we're (gasp) almost four months old, we're doing all sorts of new things, like:

Sitting up in our "Nathan" chair so much straighter... And sitting (or leaning) in our Bumbo, too!

We're learning to hold things and bring them to our mouths...

And chew on them to relieve what must be early teething.

We're getting so big in the Mama Roo, too! We love to kick our feet and watch TV from our great view.

I can't believe how fast this little monkey is changing and growing. Stop it already!!