What To Expect: Month Four

Well the day has come and gone, and my Cote bear is officially another month older! It is hard for me to believe, especially because this month is has been so full of milestones and growth!! She is just growing up so fast! I want to freeze her in time or at least slow down time. I feel like I'm missing out. And since she is in daycare, I am struggling even more with her growing up... Her big milestone recently was rolling over, and she has only done it at daycare so far. :(

But oh well... onto the list::

By four month, your baby...

... should be able to:

On stomach, lift head 90 degrees [can definitely do]

Laugh out loud [can do, but doesn't do it often]

Follow an object in an arc about 6 inches above the face for 180 degrees (from one side to the other) [can do]

...will probably be able to:

Hold head steady when upright [can definitely do]

On stomach, raise chest, supported by arms [can do, but doesn't like to]

Grasp a rattle held to backs or tips of fingers [can do]

Pay attention to an object as small as a raisin (but keep such objects out of baby's reach) [can do]

Reach for an object [does sometimes when playing]

Squeal in delight [can do, and its a beautiful sound]

...may possible be able to:

Keep head level with body when pulled to sitting [can do]

Roll over (one way) [has done three times at daycare]

Turn in the direction of a voice, particularly mommy's [can definitely do]

Say "ah-goo" or similar vowel consonant combinations [OH YA!]

Razz (make a wet razzing sound) [figure out how to do this today]

...may even be able to:

Bear some weight on legs when held upright [can definitely do]

Sit without support [can do in short spurts]

Object if you try to take a toy away [confession: mommy doesn't take away many toys]

Turn in the direction of a voice [can do]

It is interesting to look at this list of expectations and how many things that Cote can do because at her appointment they said she may be slightly delayed in her fine motor skills. (More on that to come in the well visit post.)

At the end of the day, I think my baby girl is perfect! And that's what counts!!... To me...

:) Stay Connected

Description of Progress

Today when I arrived to pick up Cote I was surprised with a lovely gift from the daycare center!! Her teachers had been taking pictures of her and put them together in a frame for me!! It was such a lovely surprise! Especially on her 4 month birthday today!!!!!!

Here she is being held by Mrs. Vicky

The caption for this picture is:

"I learned to sit in the excersaucer and to hold my head up so I can see around the room.

This is a large muscle skill."

This Picture is my Favorite!

The caption for this picture is:

"I learned that my friends will crawl over to me and play with me - it makes me happy to see the other childrem in to room - this is social/emotional development."

:) Stay Connected

Last Week or So...

Last weekend was Cote's second trip down to the ranch in Brownwood, and it was a doozy!! Due to traffic, the drive down there took five hours when it should have taken three. This did not please by sugar, so she cried for about two of those five hours. (And by cry I mean scream at the top of her voice.)

When we finally arrived at the ranch, it was around ten on Friday night. Cote was still pretty grouchy. So much so in fact that every time she saw Papa Ray's face she cried! Poor thing was rather distraught. I felt terrible for Papa, but he was understanding.

Saturday was a little bit better. We did not do much because I had a lot of homework, but we did go to town for our meals. Each time we were at a restaurant Cote sure perked up. Acting like a little ham, Cote gabbed away the whole time, making all kinds of noises. Everyone seemed to love it!! She also made progress with Papa. On that day she let him pick her up, but he could not walk out of range of Mommy or risk upsetting her!!

However Miss Cote got on quite well with Uncle Chase! Every time she saw him she smiled a big 'ol gummy smile!! The two of them would talk and giggle!! In the car, Cote would not take her eyes of him!! I'd say she was rather smitten by Uncle Chasey!! It was amazing, and I think it made Chase feel pretty special which is great!!

Sunday morning we went to town for breakfast before heading back home. Before we left we took some pictures together! When Dad joined me, Cote and Chase for a picture, Cote squealed with excitement when she saw him!! It was priceless! And she let Papa hold her and love on her without any fussing!! They made great progress, and the trip ended happily!!

This week was also pretty full of excitement!! Grandpa left for the week for work, so it was just Cote and Mommy all week. She still fights the bottle, but Cote hit a milestone a daycare this week!!

Monday night she was trying really hard to roll over, and at day care on Tuesday she did it!! TWICE!! Her teachers said she tried so hard to get to her belly, but once she made it she completely panicked!! They said that was odd because usually a baby rolls over because they want to be on their tummy. Oh well!

So i had hoped that she would roll over again at home, but that did not happen. She did at daycare though on Thursday. Then, when we were at Ya-Ya's house on Thursday afternoon, I was trying to get her to roll over by singing the "roll over" song. (You know.. there were ten in the bed, and the little one said roll over. roll over. so they all rolled over, and one fell out. there were nine in the bed...) But instead of rolling over she started to sing along! Truly! By the time I got to five she was singing roll over (without her lips or tongue.) It was the most amazing thing!!

When we finally made it home, she conked out!! Little Miss Marie slept from 5:30 pm to 8:30 am, waking only to eat. And we have been taking it easy ever since!!

:) Stay Connected

First Week of Daycare

I am sorry I have taken so long to post this, but I have been rather busy with homework and such. (I shall explain the "such" later...) 

Anyways... Monday was Labor Day, so Cote did not begin daycare until Tuesday. And as previously mentioned I switched her day care at the last minute, so we did not get to have a practice day before beginning. I was terribly nervous, but I have to go to school to ensure both of our futures. 

To start the morning, we were running behind because I had not prepared well. We had to stop at Kroger and get diapers, wipes, and a money order. When we finally got there, they had a cute little sign on the door welcoming us!

 

We went in and visited with the teachers. I gave them everything I had brought, but I was not ready to hand over my baby... I snuggled with her a little and eventually handed her over. As soon as the door closed behind me, I started sobbing!! It killed me to be leaving her, especially with strangers!

I called Mom and Dad on the drive to school to try to soothe myself. As soon as I got to my classroom, I began the process of signing up to be able to watch the video feed from her class. An hour later I had access which made the day a little easier. I called between classes, and they said she was doing good. She had a feeding and was napping... Whew! 

I hardly payed attention in my second class because I was watching her on my iPad! Then on my phone on the way to get her!! I was SO happy when I got to pick her up, and she seemed happy to see me too! We went home where I fed her, and she slept for hours!

before we left on Wed. mommy forgot to take a pic the first day :(

Wednesday was a little easier for me, but harder for Cote! She cried when I left her which absolutely broke my heart, but watching her all day made the time pass quicker.

When I picked her up, the teacher asked how I can deal with her screaming!? I was very confused, but apparently my precious angel was rather upset all day. I felt awful for my sugar, but I later found out that they only gave her one bottle. (umm perhaps she was crying because she was hungry..?)

Thursday was much better for everyone! I spoke with the lead teacher about the bottle situation from the day before, and she was rather displeased as well! Good thing! And Cote smiled when she saw the woman. (I should probably learn her name..) All parties were smiles, so it wasn't as hard for me to leave.

However, Cote had an off day. Our usual routine begins by waking up around 8:30 or 9 and her going back to sleep at around 10:30 for a quick nap. Then its off to day care with naps between the hour of one and four. But on Thursday she slept most of the morning, so the didn't sleep but 30 minutes at daycare. Poor girl!!

When I picked her up, the lead teacher was trying to sing her to sleep with a bottle too. Both looked completely exhausted!! As I took Cote off her hands, the teacher and I had a good chat about my fears of daycare and how pleased I was with how the week had gone. She is such a sweet woman! I am very happy with my choice to switch to The Children's Courtyard!!

Anywho, I hope next week continues to improve! Maybe she will even latch on a bottle!! Fingers Crossed!!

Till then...

:) Stay Connected

Nursery Room

Today we finished hanging all of the decorations in Miss Cote's new bedroom, so here is the video tour I promised!! Hope you like it!!



:) Stay Connected

P.S. Don't forget to check out the other videos of Cote on my YouTube channel!! because I do not post them all here.