Fourth Month

The past month has been a lot of fun! Henry is usually a very happy baby, smiling and “talking” when he’s excited. He loves to watch television, especially baseball and football.

We tried cereal but that was an epic fail. He wasn’t too keen on the taste and who could blame him; that stuff is nasty! He loved the flavor of applesauce, but we decided to wait another month or so to try spoon foods again. We were able to switch him from Nutramigen to Gentlease and have also cut back on the cereal that we add so that he’s not getting as many empty calories.

free Wal-Mart plug

Henry sleeps like a champ most nights. He usually goes to bed by 8:30pm and sleeps until at least 7am each morning. Most Saturdays, Mama gets lucky and sleeps until after 8am. He gets up around 8:15 or 8:30 for church on Sundays. He usually catnaps in the mornings and takes a good 3 hour nap in the afternoons. This is also really nice on the weekends!

Love those chunky thighs!

  

A couple of weeks ago, Henry started to be really shy around new faces or people he doesn’t see every day. This usually only lasts a few minutes and then he starts smiling.

He loves going to the nursery at church and getting to see all the sweet ladies that love on him. He enjoys morning walks with “Biba” (Deb, his wonderful sitter) and Izzy. Deb said that he just babbles away and then eventually nods off to sleep. He loves to go for rides in his stroller, but usually lets you know it’s time to go when you stop moving. He’s the same way in the car; gets really mad at red lights.

Sitting up like a big boy!

We took him to the community pool at Nana and Papa’s and he had a pretty good time sitting in Mama’s lap, playing with the water.

He’s also started to notice Eileen, so I figure it’s only a matter of time before they start playing together. We’re really excited about that and I’m sure Eileen is too! : )

Eileen has a tough, tough life!

Milestones

• “Talks” 
• Occasionally, holding bottle on his own
• Grabbing for toys, putting them in his mouth
• Scoots backwards on tummy
• Laughs all the time!

Littlest Michigan Fan

Daddy predicts big things for his Michigan Wolverines. Hank is ready for the college football season. He says "Go Big Blue!"

**Sidenote: Mama's still trying to teach him how to Hook 'Em!

Third Month

We really started seeing a happier, more laid back child by this point. Hank does great with a routine but can also roll with the punches when necessary.

On June 30th, coincidentally on Mama and Daddy’s 3rd wedding anniversary, we got to hear Hank’s first laugh. He was sitting on Mama’s lap and she kept making faces until he let it out. Mama of course started crying happy tears and Daddy was just beaming from ear to ear. That was definitely a moment I don’t ever want to forget!

Hank started to really enjoy his days with Deb and Izzy, especially when they would all go for a morning walk. Hank would ride in the back of the stroller and usually fell fast asleep before they got back home.

On July 11th, Hank rolled from his tummy to his back for the very first time. He screamed like a banshee and looked like a turtle stuck on his shell. He really prefers to sleep on his tummy all curled up.

Milestones:

• started blowing raspberries


• giggled a few times


• grinning all the time


• sleeping at least 10 hours a night, sometimes 11-12 hours straight


• rolled over (tummy to back) for the first time

Second month

Mama was back at work when Hank was 6 weeks old. That was a really hard day for all of us. Our comfort zone was being changed, but we all managed just fine. Deb, our amazing sitter, made us feel much better about the new stage in life. Her granddaughter, Isabella (Izzy) is there too so Deb stayed super busy. Hank had a few rough weeks, but he wasn’t any different at home than he was there so we chalked it up to continuous digestive issues.


On May 9th, Mama got to celebrate Mother's Day with the baby she had prayed for so long for. It was a very special day in Hank's life too as he was dedicated to Christ. Some of his other buddies were also dedicated, making it an even more special event. This was a great day that we will always cherish.




At 7 weeks and 1 day, Mike and I got to see his first smile. We were bathing him and cracked this sly little grin. It took a few days before we got to see it again, but after that, Hank shares his smiles every where he goes.





June 20th, Daddy got to celebrate his very first Father's Day. It was a very special day for our family. We were also able to get Hank to smile for the camera. : )






He dropped the late night feeding around the 8th or 9th week and was getting up by 5:30 am for breakfast. We tried the Bumbo out a couple of weeks ago, but he’s not too sure yet. We’ll try again later.

Milestones:

• started smiling at 7weeks, 1 day
• started sleeping more than 4 hours around 7 or 8 weeks
• Shots on 5/24, did great. Stopped crying when the nurse finished and didn't run a fever and wasn't cranky afterwards
  

Stats:

5/24 2 months old: 11lbs. 1.5 ounces (40%), 22 inches (25%), head 39.5 cm (45%)

First month

The first month for us is a bit fuzzy. We experienced crazy sleep deprivation, a screaming colicky son, but lots and lots of joy, when he was sleeping peacefully, of course. At 2 weeks, 2 days old, Mama took him to see our favorite pediatrician. He said Hank had acid reflux and needed Prevacid. He also suggested switching his formula to Nutramigen. He taught me how to properly swaddle him. He also recommended that we put him to sleep on his back on an incline and turn on white noise to help soothe him. That was on a Friday. We did exactly what the doctor ordered and by Sunday night, our sweet boy was finally a sweet boy. :)





He started sleeping for more than an hour at a time and before too long, he would sleep for about 3 hours before waking to eat again.

We added equal parts rice cereal to his feedings on April 18th at about 3.5 weeks. We thought it would help with the out of control spit up and although that didn’t work, he seemed happier. He also started sleeping about 4 hour stretches by the end of the first month.

Hank loves his bath and it always helps soothe him before bedtime. It’s also a fun bonding experience for Mama and Daddy, especially since he’s so calm and smells so good.






The first month was a little crazy in the beginning, but we had a great time bonding with him and we learned a lot about caring for our son. We also learned that it's best to just laugh and lean on each other. Sleep deprivation only makes you stronger, right?


Milestones:

• did great getting on a schedule, eating every 3.5 - 4 hours
• held head up very well

Stats:

3/24 birth: 7lbs 9.6 ounces, 19.5 inches long

3/29: 7lbs 6.5 ounces (25%), 20 inches long (60%), head 36cm (40%)

4/1: 7lbs 11ounces (30%), 20 inches long (70), head 36.5 cm (50%)

4/9: 8 lbs, 3.5 ounces