Four Months

Dear Piper,

I cried on the morning of your four month birthday...thinking back to that early April morning that you made your way into the world.  Has it really been four (really, four and a half) months since the day you were born?  Some days, I feel like you've been here forever - sometimes I can't even remember being pregnant - as if you just magically appeared in our lives.  I mean, you are magic.  I think I've covered that already.  Some days, I wish so badly that I could stop the clock.  Stand right there in that moment and be still for eternity.  Because it feels that good.  

But each day with you, I learn something new.  I watch you learn and grow and discover new things.  And I know, though so very bittersweet, that the days, months and years to come will feel that good, too.

You've been a teething fool these past few weeks.  

Your two bottom teeth, Herbie and Bernie are vicous little teeth.

They started making their appearance before you even turned four months.  

And now, they're rippin' right through...hopefully, the worst of it is over soon.  Before some more of their friends join the party.  I have to admit, I think Herbs and Bern are gonna look adorable on ya.

They can make you a little moody at times.

Like today...

You were frazzled, serious, angry, sad, pissy, grumpy, happy, giggly, pouty and sleepy...just to name a few of your moods.

I love how you can go from hysterical to absolutely calm and content.

I swear today, through tears, you were giggling at Mommy's kooky attempts to make you laugh.

Crying, then laughing.  Laughing, then crying.  You must get it from me. 

You love your grapes teether.  Mommy rinses it with some cold water, sticks it in the freezer for five minutes and then takes it out.  When you see it, your eyes light up and you reach right for it.

Herbie and Bernie

Mommy's been getting extra snap-happy lately.  You just are such an expressive little babe.  I don't want to miss a thing.  

The day before your four month birthday, I dressed you up in one of my favorite dresses of yours - Dee Dee gave this to you on your one month birthday.

You (and Mommy) love headbands.   Uncle Nicholas jokes that we have one for every single day.  

Nothin' wrong with that. :)

Flippin' the bird.  AGAIN!

You squeal and "silent scream" often.   Once you get going, you really let your voice be heard.

You've got strong legs, baby girl.  You hold them straight and stiff and refuse to bend them sometimes.   

You turned four months on August first.  It was a rainy, dreary, icky day outside.  But that didn't stop us from soaking up some fun with Dee Dee and Gigi (formerly known as Aunt Karen).  She got her new name on that very day.  Dee Dee kept joking that Aunt Karen was your great-grandmother, and "Gigi" just sounded right.

You were rolling all over the place that morning.  

You can roll from front to back and back to front now.

I call you my little circus monkey.

Mommy woke up and stood at your closet, looking for the perfect outfit to brighten up the cloudy day.  The ducky dress I found for you while shopping with Aunt Kelly (while you were still in my belly) caught my eye.  As well as the happy, yellow sweater from your Aunt Jessica.

You woke up soon after, ready for your birthday breakfast.

And ready for some fun with Daddy before he got ready for work.

Dee Dee and Gigi showed up at 10:45, damp and cold from the rain.  But you warmed things up quickly.  We got all packed up and ready for our day.  We headed to the outlets first.  You wanted out of your stroller at the beginning.  You wanted to be out and about, close to all the action.  You didn't mind the rain one bit.

Our first, but not last trip to the potty.

You were a shoppin' fool.  Deeds and Gigi went crazy ohhing and ahhing over all the summer clearance clothes.  We all love a good bargain.  Don't worry, we will teach you our ways.

The hangers kept piling and piling.

All that shopping made you one sleepy girl.

Gigi and Dee Dee fought over the bill, while you told them you'd gladly pick out 47 more outfits, if it made them feel better.

"Hey, grannies, there's a gorgeous leather jacket over there along with a kitty cat dress that has Piper's name written all over it!"

Mommy sometimes steals borrows your headbands.


Next stop was California Tortilla.  You loved the bright colors on the table.
And Mommy loved her burrito and the Raspberry Diet Coke (that she forgot on her way out).

You had a blast in Mommy's lap, watching us eat and gab. (You also loved sneakin' little tastes of the strawberry water Deeds was giving you - "a sippy for Pippy!")

Target was our last stop for the day.

"Four Generations!"  Just Kidding, Aunt Karen Gigi!

We came back home and shared lots of smiles and laughs.
It certainly was a special day we shared, with two very special ladies.
You were showered with love, baby girl.

Those baby blues are here to stay.

I am in love with them.

POP!  POP!  POP!

Daddy came home and hid behind you...waiting for you to notice him.

I caught your reaction as soon as you laid eyes on him.  It was a precious one.

That night, you went to bed early; pooped from your exciting day.  Dee Dee brought over your birthday present.  Twinkie kindly offered to open it for you.
It was filled with lots of sweet gifts..all in 3-6 months and 6 month sizes.  *Tear*  You're growing fast.

Afterwards, Deeds, Gigi and I had a fancy girls' night at Walmart until almost midnight.  

You scored a few more additions to your wardrobe.  And mama scored some ice cream and diet coke.

Your four month check up was a few days later.

I couldn't wait to find out your stats. 

Your Daddy and I knew our Lil' Squish did some growin' since her two month check up.

You patiently waited with your pals, Sophie and Loveybear.

On your way there, through Mommy's twangin' tunes, she heard you tootin' away.

Sure enough, you had a nice, big poo waitin' for me when we arrived.
You're still a pro in the poo department, Piper the pooper.
You've moved up to size 2 diapers.

Daddy met us and the two of you watched t.v. in the waiting room.

You showed off your mad rolling skills and found the paper on the table quite tasty.

"Does this diaper make my butt look big?"

Well, baby girl, you definitely grew...

16.4 pounds and 26 inches (You were 12.13 pounds and 24 inches at your two month check up).

Your head measured 17 inches around. (It was 16 at your last check up).

85% for weight and 95% for height.

You go, Pippy!

Mommy felt so bad when she found out you needed a couple shots again.  I was telling you on the way to the appointment that there would be no mean needles this time.

You cried pretty hard but settled down as soon as we swooped you up.

You got a pretty, little heart band-aid to make it all better.

Piper, you're like a little, pretty band-aid for my heart.  You make so much in this life

so much better.  Thank you.

We love you, beautiful girl.

<3

I'll be back this month with more on our adventures, on Piper milestones, on motherhood and 

the sad and the happy.

Happy Hump Day, everyone!

I hope your day is a good one.

<3

Four Month Lovin',