Mr. E {4 Months}

I am 11 days late since Everett turned four months on March 2nd, but that is still a win in my book!  Less than two weeks late is totally on time.

First let us just get the obvious out there so it isn’t awkward.

How stinking handsome is Everett?

Those eyes…those cheeks…ruby lips like his brother.

It’s almost unfair.

As I type this post sweet, snuggly Everett is taking his daily nap on me.  Fortunately he fell asleep on my left arm while nursing giving me full use of my right/hand arm to type with my left hand getting some action in there every now and then.  Yes, if you read that correctly I said “daily nap on me”.  There are really two points made there.
1. Daily Nap: Everett should really be taking around 3 naps a day.  One shorter nap in the morning (45min – 1 hr), a longer lunchtime/afternoon nap (2ish hours), and then another late afternoon catnap (waking by 5).  However, Everett thinks napping is overrated and therefore he doesn’t nap. NOT – ONE – TIME.

2. On Me: Recently he decided maybe he would nap so that he wouldn’t be whiny and tired.  Great right? Ha, don’t be fooled! He may have decided that he would nap but he through in a trick of only doing that on me…usually while feeding.  Hooray!  As Colter put it, “Well, that is great for you. I know you wanted a break so now you got it on the couch while your boob is out.” Exactly.
( I apologize if I just completely freaked you non-parents who haven’t dealt with breastfeeding children and the lack of modesty that eventually comes with it readers who are now gagging or cringing or typing in a new URL to get away.  I won’t do it again…during this post.) 

I’ve learned to be efficient and fill the couch with the things I will need to keep myself busy while he sleeps on me and I have also adapted a new positive outlook on the sweetness of it. I mean, he isn’t going to want to do this forever (right?) so I might as well appreciate the snuggles and the fact that he is making me sit down. Who needs clean toilets, groceries, and dinner prep anyway?  I can’t get a damn thing done but my child is much happier so I will take it. Daily snuggle time with a daily snuggle time picture.  One day it will mortify him.

Everett is a sweet, sweet, sweet baby.  I know that seems strange since I have talked a lot about the issues we have had with him and him not being what you might call an “easy baby” (aka Caden).  However, his demeanor is precious.  Everett is all smiles, giggles and snuggles.  He chats to us all day and by us I mean whoever he can find and lock eyes with to listen.  His eyes light up with a grin when Caden gives him attention and if you smooch him on his cheeks he laughs.  What can I say? My boys are snugglers who love their mama and know they are cute.  Could be worse.

Since he has such a great personality we know it is something else causing his troubles.

For four months we have been doing probiotics, food exclusions, chiropractor visits and about 100 other things to help our boy. I haven’t been able to eat dairy or nuts since he was about two weeks old.  We had also cut out wheat/gluten but then introduced it back without trouble or so we thought.  I have since had to cut that back out in the last few weeks due to increased rashes, random hive outbreaks, increased spit up, less sleep at night, abnormal diaper frequency etc.  You name it he is inconsistent about it.  Now that he has hit the 4 month mark we will be doing some actual allergy testing (between 4-6 months is when they like to do it because more will show up) via a bloodwork panel with him to see if we can really narrow it down as to what is bothering him.  Weirdly enough we are hoping to see results that so we know where to go from there in helping him have a happy tummy. (and some sleep at night for goodness sake)

The Fun Stuff
Nakey time before his bath is his FAVORITE! He will hang out with the sound of the water in the nude rolling around for a good 30 minutes plus if you let him.  If he is upset about something this will surely soothe him and prolongs his bedtime if we need to hold him off for a feeding. Baby bottoms are the cutest.

The boy loves attention.  He was thrilled to have Graham parked in front of him at the park.  Smiled and chatted while poor Graham wondered when this forced friend would stop making noise.

He is a wiggler.  Constantly moving, kicking, turning, and inchworm scooting around.  He rolls belly to back and then immediately goes to his side and is sooooooo close to going to his belly.  He is quite content on his side so after a few tries he loses motivation to continue working and plays on his side.

Not a fan of the excersaucer, bouncer, rocking chair or anything that isn’t your arms.  Although we are trying to get him to hang out in them a bit more. The excersaucer very limited but I think we will get there.

Everett is chunky but slowing down.  His weight gain has slowed with recent tummy woes but he was a 15 pounds plus some ounces (don’t remember offhand), tall and a big old noggin. (6 month clothing and a few 9 monthers)

His hands are always in fists (apparently a sign of tummy troubles) and also always in his mouth.  He LOVES to gnaw on his hands.

So it may have taken us awhile to settle in and we aren’t 100% there but the important thing is being so in love with our little man.  He brings us and Caden a lot of joy and the two of them together could just make you melt.  Plus, the troubling things needed to be looked at from the perspective that soon enough Everett is going to be marching down the stairs in his PJS like his brother too and those times will be gone.  So we are embracing our challenges and being thankful for his sweetness and cuteness and lovey dovey demeanor that make the sleepless nights okay.  Sweet boy.