4 Months Old!!!

It's cliche, and I know it, but time does fly.  Especially, when you have little children.  I keep trying to remind myself that it isn't going to be like this long.  The sleepless nights, the swings/bumbos/boppy pillows, etc. taking over our house.  The 4:30 - 6:30 touch and go crankiness of at least one child.  Soon, my children will be in school all day and at activities at night and spending the night with friends on the weekends.  They'll be off to the movies, off to cheer, off to soccer...off to anywhere, doing anything but wanting to sleep in my arms.  Some days are purely wonderful...other days it's pure chaos and I'm certain that the three of them are plotting against me to send me on the fastest track to the looney bin.  This business of having babies takes a lot of prayer, patience and more prayer.  I find I'm a very different mother the second, err...third...I don't know...this time around.  I'm much less of a schedule drill sergeant, much more savoring each  moment (at least I try to savor them all).  I don't have nearly the rules as I did when Molly was a tiny babe.

In four short months, I've fallen in love with these two people who I can no longer remember life without.  My children are all so very different and I seem to already have such different relationships with all of them.

Marlin, you are my 2nd born.  And, true to the sayings, you are my typical middle child.  Always needing a little extra.  A little extra loving from the momma, a few extra ounces of milk, a few extra feedings at night (I really think that's just to have a few extra alone time minutes).  You melt my heart when you smile at me and your laugh could send anyone over the moon.  You have already turned over from your tummy to your back...and my poor babe, no one even saw you do it the first time.  The life of the second child, I guess.  We saw you the 2nd time, though...and the 3rd...and the 4th.  And, we have it on video for all eternity.

At 2 months, you weighed 9 lbs 4.5 ozs and were 22.5 inches long.  At 4 months, you weigh 12 lbs 15 ozs and you are 25.5 inches long.  You are a growing boy!!!  You still eat at least twice per night and we are working on solids.  So far, you hate solids and try to act like you are gagging.  You might end up being my little drama boy!  I love you to the moon, my little prince.

Madeline, you are my sweet, sweet baby girl.  You are likely, the easiest baby on earth.  You very rarely cry, so when you do, it breaks my heart.  I don't like my baby girl to be upset.  You can bet that the minute you get upset, Mommy is on her way.  You are laid back and easy going.  You wake up so happy and are always quick with a smile.  I hope you always give away your smiles for free, because it's the sweetest smile on the planet.  You make my heart sing.

You, my baby girl, are a sleeper.  You're my 12 hour rock star.  Most every night you sleep 10 - 12 hours without a peep.  I always check on you when I'm in with your brother and you are just sprawled out with your legs froggie style and your thumb in your mouth.  At 2 months you weighed 9 lbs 3 ozs and were 22 inches long.  At 4 months, girlfriend, you are 13 lbs and 3.5 ozs and 24.75 inches long!  Your first bite of applesauce made you smile and I think you will prove to be a great eater.  I love you high mountain, my angel.

Thank you, babies, for the craziest, most hectic, most fun and most loving 4 months of my life.  May God always shine his love upon you.