4 Months Old

*Warning. This is one lengthy post, but since it is about Alayna, I'm sure you won't mind.

Another month has flown by which means Alayna is now 4 months.

Time, where did you go?

She had her 4 month check up on Monday. She weighs in at 13 lbs. 3 oz. (50th percentile) and is 24 3/4 inches long (75th percentile). We just knew she had gained a few pounds. It is definitely becoming a workout to carry her in her car seat.

Don't worry, my arm muscles are undoubtedly stronger than they used to be.

She also received her shots yet again, and this was the result of the 5 minute drive home.

One tired baby. The following pictures are evidence of what our sweet little girl has been up to.

Over the last few weeks Alayna has gotten into the routine of "talking" herself to sleep. It seems at least once a day after I lay her down for a nap, she feels she needs to tell herself a good story before she can finally doze off.

It is quite funny to stand outside the door and listen to her ramblings.

There really is no purpose of including this picture, except to see that cute little face and those big, bright eyes.

When visiting family this weekend, everyone seemed to mention how alert she is. I think I have mentioned this before, but here is the proof.

You can't get much more alert than that.

Bumbo chair! We recently have been using this sweet little invention numerous times a day. (Thanks Grandma and Grand Dad!)

Although I think Alayna has yet to decide what she thinks of it, since the ENTIRE time she was in it, she would not crack one single smile.

She may just be in awe at the fact that she is sitting up and can see everything with little effort, which is what this picture suggests.

This picture has captured a reoccurring scene at our house when it comes to Alayna.

If you look closely, you will see a string of slobber hanging out of her mouth.

This is one slobbery child.

Hence the bibs that you see in a few of the pictures.

Last Thursday Alayna mastered something that I have been wanting for a while.

The reach and grab.

Yea! The little things that can bring such joy.

Here you can clearly see a nice reach...

And the grab that goes directly in to the mouth.

In this case she got a bonus...

her finger.

For the record. I am excited that she has gotten this down, but I am also not liking the fact that I am the picker-upper.

(You know, she successfully reaches, grabs, then DROPS, and I pick up. And the whole process begins again.)

Thankfully she is not doing this on purpose now, but I have a feeling that is soon to come.

Darn.

Rings are not the only thing she can reach and grab.

Anything and everything cloth, is also enjoyed by Miss Alayna.

And who doesn't love those big, cheesy grins that melt your heart. As we all

know, she is quite famous for those gigantic smiles...well, at least in our house.

Alayna is also getting more talkative. Her favorite noises to make are a high-pitched squeal (which you will see in the video below),

what we call the "puppy dog whine", which occurs anytime something happens that she doesn't like (ex: being put down, drops a toy, is getting tired, etc.) It pretty much replaces a cry when she is in a good mood. (Unfortunately I do not have documentation of this, but I am working on it.),

And a giggle. She giggled for the first time about a week ago and we now will do just about anything to hear it.

And now the proof.