four months

Sweet Perla,

Today you're four months old. Four months! I really can't believe I don't write monthly letters for you and your sister. Sometimes I feel guilty and think I'm a bad mom because of it.

You're sitting here beside me in your swing as I type this, smiling and giggling hysterically every couple of minutes when I look over and pop my mouth at you. I can't put into words how much joy you've brought into our lives. You're always smiling, laughing, kicking your legs and flailing your arms. You're dying to sit up, and you're this close to rolling over. Actually, you've rolled over once each front-to-back and back-to-front, but it's been a few days and you haven't done it since, so we're thinking it was a fluke. Either way, it's going to be soon and I'm cherishing these last days I have with you as the little blob you are. Because before we know it you'll be crawling then walking then running and soon enough I won't be able to hold and cuddle you as I'm able to now. It amazes me how fast you babies grow and I wish that somedays I could slow time and take your baby deliciousness in just a little bit more.

Your birthmark has faded noticeably in the last few weeks and to be honest we're a little sad! On the contrary, your entire appearance has brightened. I remember this stage with Ava; it seemed overnight she went from newborn to chubby rosy-cheeked cherub. You're here now and your eyes are brighter, dimples deeper, gummy smile wider. I truly can't get enough of you. Your demeanor is so calming and sweet, everywhere we go people notice how mellow you are. It's true, you're an angel! We take you everywhere without any fuss.

You're working on cutting some teeth, though we don't see any buds under those gums yet which means we're probably in for the long haul. You're always chewing something, whether it be your fists, daddy's shirt, my arm, your kitty. The amount of drool you're slobbering onto everyone and everything is laughable, and we usually just hand you a burp cloth to chew on and keep your little chest dry at the same time. You're sleeping like a champ, mostly, though I expect that teething will soon begin to interfere. You're usually down by 9 pm and you wake between 730 and 8, nursing two or three times throughout the night. Speaking of nursing, you like to eat lightly every two or three hours. We've got the nursing down like pros, and I love our time spent together. I still can't believe I'm the only one nourishing your little body! The human body is a remarkable thing.

You're finally becoming more aware of your sister and the interaction between you two is one of my favorite parts of the day. Ava will waltz into our bedroom in the morning, kiss you and say hello, then you two proceed to have a nice little conversation about who knows what. She makes you smile and laugh and you love giving her big open-mouthed kisses. When she's around and talking, you can't take your eyes off of her, and you love laying next to her for afternoon tummy time and Sesame Street.

Well, my love, this has gotten long and I've since moved you from your swing into my lap where you require many kisses and squeezes. Until next time.

I love you more than you'll ever know little babe,

mama