You are four months old and thriving. In the last month, you have grown and changed so much, but you still remain a very happy and sweet little lady.
You now weigh right around 16 lbs. We go to the doctor in a few days, so I'll get an official height and weight then. You wear mostly 9 month clothes now, though some are still a bit baggy, and we just switched you to size 3 diapers.
You smile and giggle all the time. Your brothers make you laugh every day with their silly faces and noises, as well as tickling your belly.
You now tolerate - and even seem to LIKE - tummy time. You can hold your head up for several minutes now, instead of crying after 30 seconds. You also just started actually playing with the toys hanging on your play mat, and you like to grab things within your reach - my hair usually. You're getting close to rolling over - back to tummy.
You still refuse bottles most of the time. We have actually started using a sippy cup because you will occasionally take that willingly, or at least not scream when it touches your lips. But, honestly, even your best days with the cup are not good. Usually, Dawn has to feed you with a medicine dropper. You still come to school at lunch time for me to nurse you every day. Dawn says your afternoons are MUCH better after filling your tummy. You take a long nap and are in a better mood, and it seems you take the sippy cup better in the afternoon than before you nurse. You won't take a pacifier either, but you love to suck your thumb and chew your hand.
Before daycare, you were sleeping 6+ hour stretches every night. But now that you're eating less during the day, you're up more at night. We get about 4 hours, then 3, and then another 2-3. While I loved the great sleep we were having, I'm just thankful that you now seem to be getting enough and are gaining weight instead of losing. I'll stay up with you all night if it means you'll get what you need.
I know I've said it before, but your brothers just adore you. Dawn says Alden is right there to comfort you at daycare whenever you cry, and Leland is always jealous that Alden gets to be with you all day while he's at school. They both love to hug and kiss you all throughout the day. They're always looking out for you, and I hope your relationships as siblings continue this way - it makes me so happy to see how much they love you, and your big gummy smiles right back at them are heart melting.
I'm not usually big on nicknames, but I am with you. I find myself calling you Livvy, Liv, Livvy Jo, and I'm even tempted to call you Josie, especially since Grandma Josie passed away. Daddy calls you Olivia Newton...he thinks he's funny. Leland calls you Livvy, and Alden often calls you 'Livia (leaving out the O). They both call you Baby Sister or Sis a lot too.
Livvy Jo, you are pure joy. It is so much fun being your mom, sweet baby. Happy four months!
Love, Mom
