4 Months Old!

Clara is four months old!

She is doing really well.  She can roll over from back to front now, and she is babbling up a storm.  Sometimes she says things that sound like words to me!  I could have sworn she said her own name earlier today.  I know I'm just being a silly mom, and I know we are a ways out from that milestone, but I can't wait until she can tell us things.

I mentioned earlier that we started sleep training.  I think it has been going well in that she goes to sleep quickly and on her own with very little protest.  We've completely gotten rid of swaddling, the swing and the pacifier.  We have a little routine with books and songs that seems calming and comforting.  The only thing is that she doesn't stay asleep for as long as I'd like.

This week she has been going to bed around 6 pm and getting up at 10, 2 and 6 to eat.  She goes right back to sleep, which is nice, but the constant sleep interruptions are wearing on me.  Our favorite baby book advises that she should be able to make it for 6 hours without eating during the night by her age and weight.  I'm not really sure how to make that happen, and I don't even know if there is anything I can do except wait.  She should be able to make it 9 hours by 5 months and then 12 hours by 6 months, so perhaps I just need to be patient until then.  I'll be sure to discuss this with the pediatrician next week at her check up.

However, there is an element to this we were not expecting:  Clara has a tooth and a second is fast behind it!  She seems to be a bit crabby about it, so I can imagine her sleep may also be affected.  She finds her toes and socks to be the most desirable chew toys, probably because of their availability.  Another piece of good news is that she is drinking from the bottle much better now.  She used to scream and cry when Jason tried to feed her, but she is used to it now.  It is a huge relief!

Big sister and little sister still get along very well outside of the occasional wack on the head.  Grace is very busy but also sweet and fun.  We're soaking up the last of the season and dreading the winter months of cabin fever!