Theo my love,
I apologize for publishing your 4-month letter on your 5-month birthday, but you (and your brother) keep me insanely busy. At the end of the day, once you’re both asleep and the house is de-tornadoed, I’m ready to turn my brain off and completely zone out. But hey, you’re hopefully getting your 4-month and your 5-month on the same day, so that’s special, right?!
All through October and early November, you maintained your status quo and I want to sincerely thank you for that. I can bring you anywhere and everywhere and never worry about you or how you’ll handle any situation. You have no problem eating, sleeping and playing on the run and you maintain your amazing disposition all the while. You cry when you’re hungry or tired. That’s it. No joke. You’re superb at going with the flow - I suspect even more so than the average “relaxed” second child.
Most people comment on your size when they first meet you.
At your 4-month check up, you were nearly 18 1/2 pounds and 27” which puts you in the 95th percentile for weight and off the charts for height. Your size doesn’t seem to stop you as you’re proficiently rolling from front to back. No matter how big you get, you’ll always be my tiny baby boy.
Speaking of snuggling… you’re a master snuggler. You’re so content to settle into my lap and watch the world (or Harrison) go by while holding my arms or fingers tenderly with your death grip. When I’m holding you, you love to nestle your face in the crook of my neck and it’s heaven. I love it all but the BEST is when you plant giant, wet kisses on my cheeks. I can’t get enough of them.
We brought the jumperoo out of the attic when you were 3 1/2 months old because you had good neck control and love to be on the move. Harrison started his jumping career at 4 months old and he was able to jump like a madman with the help of a pillow we placed under his feet. Even though you started younger, you didn’t need the pillow. You stood there flat-footed with a goofy smile on your face and I silently wondered if you’d outgrow me in elementary school.
You seem to really like the jumperoo music but that isn’t surprising because dancing and being sung to are two of your favorite activities.
You have eyes that slay. They’re a gorgeous color blue but going even further than that, they’re gentle, curious and filled with pure happiness. You have looks that seem so adult to me - like you know exactly what I’m saying and you feel that way, too. A large handful of people have told me that around the eyes, you’re “all me” and even though I don’t necessarily see it myself, I take it as a great compliment because your eyes are a dead giveaway that you have one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.
You were born with rock star hair but sadly, it’s sloooowwwly falling out. I’ll miss your mowhawk but I know how I can get one if I need it in my life. If it were up to Daddy, there may be some baby hair gel in your Christmas stocking this year.
Halloween was a ball this year with you in the mix. I really wanted to do a family costume and since your brother wanted to be a “baseball player ghost,” (we went with baseball player) we made you the baseball. Literally and figuratively. I grabbed white felt and red yarn from the fabric store and you turned into the sweetest addition to our little baseball team, even though you’re throwin’ some shade in the picture below.
When it came time to trick-or-treat, you were (no surprise here…) a trooper. It was a really brisk night and I wore you on my front so you could take in all the action. Harrison was far more into it than expected so we walked around for over an hour and you didn’t complain one bit. I put you in a hat and coat on but no mittens. I tried to keep my hands around your hands but when we got back home, your hands were like ice. I felt so bad but you didn’t seem to care. Your first true, rosy cheeks were irresistable and you slept like a champ.
You’re still sleeping really well. You hit a hiccup at about 3 1/2 months when you were up every few hours for nearly a week, but it went away as quickly as it came so I’m considering that your 4-month sleep regression. You nap three times a day with your lunchtime nap being the best - sometimes it’s 3 hours long! I’m happy to have a “baby break” during those hours, especially when you and Harrison are both sleeping, but when I hear that you’re awake, I’m anxious to run to your crib and be greeted by your adoring, giant smiles. They get me every time.
You’re wearing mostly 6-12 month clothing and even in those sizes, a few of your pieces are just a little snug around the middle. I always wanted a big, cuddly, snuggly baby with rolls to spare and you’re my wish granted in that department. Actually, I got a big, cuddly, snuggly baby with rolls to spare and smiles for days so really, there’s no one luckier than me.
We took you on your first road trip to Cape Cod and you showed your first signs of being bored and/or annoyed in the back seat. That, or you’re already capable of manipulation (unlikely) because I rode in the backseat as your personal entertainer for the majority of the 4-hour trip… both ways. You seemed happy enough to have me holding your hand and singing along to the Hamilton soundtrack as you took in every word and history lesson. Cape Cod is among my favorite places on Earth and you seemed to echo that feeling.
You loved exploring your new environment at Nanu’s house and beyond and I loved our beach snuggles on a rare 70 degree October day.
We gave you your first bath with Harrison in tow and he was all too eager to hold your belly and make sure your head stayed above water (my only rule). In a couple of years, all bets will be off and you’ll be on your own, kid. Somehow, I think you’ll be able to hold your own just fine.
Your coos and gurgles are becoming more defined and plentiful each day but the one person to guarantee your calling out in elation is Daddy.
When he walks in the door after work, your face lights up in signature Theodore fashion and you start calling out to him. It doesn’t stop. You let out these house-filling yells for 10 or 15 minutes and if Daddy walks out of the room and then comes back, well, there they are again. It’s adorable and indicative of some fun personality showing through. You love to be tickled on your chest, belly, legs, neck and back and you’re showing some real signs of silliness. Daddy and I both have verrrry silly sides so we relish this glimmer of what’s to come.
You make our lives fuller and happier in a way that complexly surpasses our dreams and expectations. We are so blessed by you and can’t wait for all the fun ahead. Food and sitting and TOYS, oh my!
We can’t wait to witness it all in awe and admiration.
Forever love,
Mommy (and Daddy!)