4 Months Old

sleeping habits: If you've been reading monthly updates, you probably have this memorized, because nothing has changed since 6 weeks old!  After eating, changing, and swaddling around 8:30 p.m. James and Amelia wake up around 2:00 and 6:00 AM.  James and Amelia sleep in their individual cribs in the nursery.  Maddie sleeps in our bedroom, either in the pack-n-play or in our bed.  She wakes up to eat around 4 AM and again at 7 AM.  All three wake up for good by 9 AM.

All three babies nap during each feeding cycle.  Sometimes they sleep 20 minutes within a 3 hour period; sometimes they sleep 90 minutes.  Truly, they should go to bed at 7:30 because that is when they are cranky and inevitably fall asleep downstairs.  We just wait to put them to bed later so we can keep the feeding times consistent and all six of us can get ready for bed at the same time.  This allows Jesse and I to have a longer stretch of sleep.

eating habits: 
All babies continue to receive 100% expressed breastmilk.  They still eat every three hours during the day (9 AM., noon, 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM) and twice at night.  James and Amelia eat 4.5 oz at each feed. Maddie eats 4 ounces.

milestones:
James-excellent head control, rolls from tummy to back, sleeps six consecutive hours, babbles, laughs, sucks hand
Amelia-keeps head and upper body up for extended periods of time, sleeps six consecutive hours, coos, grabs and pulls at things (especially my hair)
Madeline-babbles constantly, smiles/interacts with people, sleeps 6-8 consecutive hours, less frequent reflux, discovered hands and fingers

challenges:
-Everything related to insurance has been a nightmare!  The babies haven't seen the pediatrician since they were 2 weeks old, but it is not from a lack of trying.  Despite multiple calls, visits, and waiting at DSS, our insurance cards still do not have the correct Primary Care Physician listed.  Our beloved pediatrician left the practice to be a stay-at-home mom.  We looked for a new office but none are accepting new Medicaid patients.  The babies are now behind on their 2 month and 4 month shots.

victories:
-Maddie has gained full control of her neck, thanks to the amazing Dr. Greenberg.
-I'm enjoying a couple extra hours a week of cuddles and downtime with the babies while Jackson is at preschool two mornings a week.
-The babies had several first family traditions, including fall festival, Halloween candy swap, and annual beach trip.  They are such easy babies when it comes to travel and public outings.
-Watching babies begin to interact with one another!

special notes:
-All three babies are drooling like crazy, especially James.  Jackson got his first tooth at 5 months old, so early teething is something we are prepared for.