4th Month Milestones

Dear Tatum,

It has been over a week since I have written last. Your feeding schedule is once again extremely demanding. You did give me one full night of rest after my last letter... thank you! I thought maybe you were going through another growth spurt, however, we went to the doctor on Friday and you only gained 7 ounces and grew an inch taller. Daddy and I were very shocked when we saw the scale. The doctor expressed some concern and advised us to start giving you some formula after each feeding. I'm not sure how I feel about this yet, but I have been doing as the doctor said. Most of the time you just push the formula away and a couple of times you took it. Mommy plans to continue to nurse you and will be looking for another doctor for second opinion. Your overall weight has more than doubled in 4 months and that is still really good... actually great! Maybe it was because you were sick with an eye infection or maybe it is a result of low milk supply because Mommy was tired or even stressed. I'm not sure, but I am going to continue to nurse you for a while yet.

You are beginning to smile more and more. Last week your cousin Michael came for a visit and when you noticed him, you smiled. It was such an exciting moment. You also have begun smiling at yourself in the mirror.

We have also had the pleasure of hearing you beautiful voice more and more. You are making new sounds daily and I could listen to it all day long. Today you talked yourself to sleep for your afternoon nap. That was a first.

The TV has become a significant source of interest for you. This has me a little concerned as it is not recommended that children under the age of two watch any TV. Studies show that TV time before this age is linked to ADHD. I used to keep the TV on during the day while we played on the floor, until you found Martha Stewart more interesting than Mommies singing. So... off it goes.

You are now using your hands to grab just about anything you can. You study things for a while and then you go for it. You play everyday with this ferris wheel type rattle. You have figured out how to make it spin and make lots of noise. It's fun to watch you play.

In the past couple of weeks you have become quite upset whenever you are held by anyone but Mommy. This has happened several times and it takes a lot of work for Mommy to get you to calm down. It makes me feel just horrible inside, both for you and for the person holding you. You and I spend a lot of time together and I know you are just used to me more than anyone, but we are going to try to slowly teach you that it is okay to be held by other family members. Believe me when I say it is just as hard for me as it is for you. I don't want to leave you any more than you want me to. It tears my heart up to hear you scream when others hold you. I absolutely can't stand to see you so upset. There will be times that I will need to leave you with your Grandparents or other family members and I want you to be secure. We will work on it slowly, I just wish you could understand that it is not to hurt you and that I love you more than you will ever know.

Here is a picture of you in your Bumbo seat. You are still a little small for it, but you sit it in it pretty well.

We didn't read a book today, however, you did have your first bedtime massage. Mommy learned today that a nightly massage will help you grow as well as help you sleep better. It will become our nightly ritual.

I love you baby girl!
Sweat dreams.

Love,
Mommy