A Little

Kyle went to the doctor today for his 4 month check-up. A little late, since he's now 4 1/2 months, but this is the earliest they could get us in.

Weight: 16lbs, 14 oz
Length: 26 inches

Ninetieth percentile overall. I knew he was a porker! He's a whole pound bigger than Shaun was at the same age and a half pound bigger than Ian. Unbelievable, given that all three were the same exact weight at 2 months old: 13 lbs 6 oz. Kinda bizarre, really.

My little guy is learning to control his hands and regularly will grab things and turn them around to get a good look at them before stuffing them in his mouth. He's successfully been able to shove his whole fist into his mouth, much to Shaun's amazement. He announced one afternoon, "Mum, you've gotta see this! Kyle's got his whole arm in there!" While it wasn't his arm, I was shocked that Kyle was able to twist and contort his fat little fist into his gummy mouth.

He smiles at anyone who happens to look his way and keeps people behind us in the check-out line at the grocery store entertained with his grins and giggles while we empty our cart.

Kyle loves to be part of the action. He's happy sitting in his Bumbo up on the kitchen table watching the busy house around him. To his left is the playroom where Ian dumps baskets of cars and bins of Duplo, to his right is the living room where Shaun builds train tracks and pretends to be Spiderman. In the front is the kitchen where I dance along to silly kids' music in between washing dishes and refilling sippy cups.

He's a great eater, lasting only 3 hours between feedings before squawking for more. Naps are pretty much just over an hour long except for his fourth one around dinner, which is only about half an hour these days. I know he'll drop that one eventually once I start him on cereal but for now I enjoy eating without a baby staring me down. Kyle's starting to get really interested in whatever we're eating. He's tried to grab food in my hand while sitting in my lap a few times and Craig's told me that Kyle will reach for a coffee cup if it passes over his head. For now, Kyle is happy and content after eating so I'm not going to rush cereal.

He loves the Sleepy Wrap that my friend sent to me shortly after he was born. Every day when I walk to get Shaun at school I gently tuck him inside and push Ian in the stroller. I chat with Ian about what we're seeing and hearing and Kyle stares out, taking it all in; sometimes glancing up at me with a smile. Then Shaun comes running out when the bell rings and pauses to kiss Ian hello before tugging on my leg for me to bend down so he can kiss Kyle. I get a wave over the shoulder as he runs off to the playground with his friends.

I nurse Kyle under the maple tree and listen to the robins chirping at one another as they build their nest in the next tree. A plane flies overhead. Ian lifts his head from the sandbox to watch it and Kyle is distracted by the motion. Still latched on, he s t r e t c h e s his neck to watch his big brother for a moment until I tuck him back close to my skin.

More tomorrow...