Jan. 15th – Jan. 19th

Tuesday, January 17^th

We got up early to deliver a special breakfast to Aunt Deanna’s work.  Her wedding is in 4 days!!

Playing in my exersaucer. The seat’s a little big so the blanket helps keep me from falling over.

Did you just say something bird?

We tried some rice cereal for the first time.  I wasn’t ready yet.  We’ll try again in a week or so.

Monday, January 16th - 4 month check-up

Because of some interesting scheduling by a receptionist, we ended up having Landen’s 4 month well child visit a little late.  It wasn’t a big deal though and the visit went well.  Here are the particulars:

• Landen's stats: 16 pounds 14.5 ounces (76%), 26 1/4 inches long (81%), 44 cm head circumference (91% - he's got his daddy's gigantic head apparently), weight for length 57%
• Landen cried when I moved out of his line of sight and the doctor checked out his eyes/nose/ears.  It's the first time he's been scared around a stranger.
• Once again his heart sounded totally normal.  Since PDA's are considered "normal" for newborns and he hasn't been able to hear the murmer in months, Dr. Widelitz doesn't see any reason for Landen to have another EKG.  
• Landen's flat spot on his head is a little better.  Dr. Widelitz said to keep working on having him sleep with his head the opposite direction so it rounds out again.  Nothing to be concerned with at this point.  
• Landen's left eye has had some green goop in the corner for the past week or so.  It's just a clogged tear duct (totally normal).  He showed me how to massage the area a bit to help get the gunk out of there.  His eye is fine - no redness or irritation, so there's no reason for antibiotic ointment.
• He has a red, scaley patch on the left side of his forehead.  Dr. Widelitz said it’s probably just eczema and to keep it moisturized.  He also has a few white bumps that pop up on either side of his nose.  These are oil glands working overtime and nothing to worry about.
• We're going to discontinue the Zantac and continue with the Prevacid for his reflux.  Dr. Widelitz said he really shouldn't need both.
• We got the go ahead to start Landen on a little bit of rice cereal and see how it goes.  I got the run down of how to do it, how often, etc.  The cereal should help with his reflux because it will help kinda keep everything settled down in the bottom of his stomach.  We're going to go really slowly with the cereal and maybe start some purees in a few weeks.  We want to make sure his digestive system is ready.  They typically suggest you start closer to 6 months but Landen is a big boy and some extra calories will do him good.  At this point, the cereal/purees are considered "dessert" for Landen.  They won't replace any of his bottles, it's just to help him practice eating and to get some extra calories.
• He got more vaccinations - 2 shots and 1 oral.  He did ok with the first shot but screamed bloody murder at the second one.  I have no idea why those dang needles have to be 2 inches long.  We were both crying by the time they were done.  We settled down pretty quickly though and are doing fine.  No reaction at all.

We see the doctor again in 2 months!

Jan. 8th – Jan. 14th

Monday, January 9^th

All dressed up to watch Alabama win the national championship. Roll Tide!

Landen thought his Daddy was pretty funny that night.

Wednesday, January 11^th

Talkin’ to my birds

Thursday, January 12^th

Accidental picture … don’t I look creepy!?

Mommy read me a story. I insisted on helping hold the book.

Friday, January 13^th

Wearing the fish shirt Daryl and Pinky got me from Seattle

Out on my first walk with Mimi, Aunt Joi, and Nala

Saturday, January 14^th

I managed to stick my pacifier behind my ear for safe keeping.

Mr. Irresistible!

Fast asleep

Jan. 2nd – Jan. 7th

Monday, January 2nd

Ready to watch my first Rose Bowl. Go Ducks!

Bath time!

Tuesday, January 3^rd

Thursday, January 5^th

Managed to grab onto Mommy’s belt loop

Playtime with Daddy and Nala

Jan. 2nd – 4 months old!

Dear Landen,

The past four months have gone by in a flash!  You’re definitely not an itty bitty newborn anymore.  Your personality is starting to shine through.  Even though we you’re still a little stingy with your smiles, you’re smiling more and more and we love it!  You have been tolerating tummy time and your muscles are getting stronger.  You can hold up your head much better now and for longer periods of time.  You rolled over onto your back the first time this month.  Mommy thought for sure it was a fluke but when she flipped you back over you did it again ... and again … and again!  It’s getting a little harder to do tummy time because you keep rolling onto your back.  You love it when we stand you up on our laps. You aren’t reaching out for toys much yet but it seems like you will start soon.

One night just before Christmas you scared your Mommy very much.  She was in the living room feeding you late at night.  You were half asleep and started choking on your formula.  Your lips started turning blue!  She frantically tried to help you and called for your Daddy to come quick!  Just about that time you gasped and coughed it up.  Mommy was so relieved.  She handed you to Daddy and just cried and cried.  It was absolutely terrifying.  You, on the other hand, were happy as could be and wanted to finish your bottle.  After a few minutes we did and Mommy gave you some extra hugs and kisses before putting you back to bed.  She would really appreciate it if you never scared her like that again!

We aren’t going to see the doctor for your 4 month checkup for a couple more weeks, but you did go to the doctor this past month.  It was getting more and more frustrating to feed you because you were squirming and crying out.  In fact, it got to the point where you were refusing your bottle.  You would knock it out of our hands!  After doing some reading Mommy had a suspicion that your Zantac wasn’t helping anymore and your reflux was bothering you.  We went to the doctor’s office and were seen by the nurse practioner, Barbara.  She’s wonderful!  After listing all your symptoms she said it was classic reflux and gave us a different type of medicine to try.  You started taking 7.5 mg of Prevacid once a day.  After you had your medicine your bottles went much better.  But throughout the day it would wear off and you were uncomfortable again.  Mommy made a quick phone call and we changed your dosage to two times per day.  You’ve been so much better!!!  The only bummer is that there isn’t a generic form of Prevacid available right now so our copay is expensive.  It comes out to $2 a day!  Between that and the Gentlease formula you’re on, your tummy is very expensive!  It’s alright though, we’ll do what it takes to be sure you’re healthy and comfortable.

Dec. 26th – Jan. 1st

Monday, December 26^th

Trying out the new seat Santa brought me

This is my dog

Holding up my head is a lot of work

Tuesday, December 27^th

My new chair comes with an activity tray.  The butterfly is my favorite.

Telling my giraffe a funny story

I wore this shirt when I was in the NICU.  It was HUGE on me then.  Now it fits.  I’m getting bigger!

Being silly on the blanket Uncle Bobby made me for Christmas.

Thursday, December 29^th

Looking cute in my bear sweater

 

Enough with the tummy time Mommy!

Man, I love my mobile

I’m sleepy

Saturday, December 31^st

Check out my fancy outfit from Aunt Stacy!  I’m stylin’ for New Year’s Eve.

As usual, I slept through most of the party.

Sunday, January 1^st

Getting some quality time in on the activity gym to start off the new year

Nala didn’t think she was getting enough attention from Daddy so she decided to just sit on him.

Christmas calendar for my parents

While I was making the Christmas calendar for my Grandma, I decided to make one of me and my brother for my parents.  I chose pictures from all through our lives.  They really loved it.

 

(John also made a calendar for his parents filled with pro shots from our engagement shoot, wedding, maternity shoot, and Landen’s newborn shoot.  It turned out really nice.)