Penny Jane: Four Months Old

Four months old.  12 pounds, 6 ounces.  She can see her toes and her fingers, even grabs small objects on purpose.  She's anxious to put anything and everything in her mouth -- gnaw gnaw gnaw.  We've historically had the luxury of taking her to church and the movies and her staying asleep the whole time... those days are gone.  She's alert, always wanting to see what's going on around her.  She's a great shopper.  She's content being held by almost anyone.  She locks in on others' faces and smiles, and will give a grin right back.  She has a will of her own, vocalizing her desire to be picked up, or put down, or left alone, or cuddled.  She babbles and coos and giggles and drools.  Distractions and involuntary squirming makes nursing her a real challenge.  She made it through a week of both Dan and I being very sick with not so much as a sneeze.  She watches television -- well, anything with a screen really: phones, pads, laptops alike.  She loves the alphabet song and patty-cake.  She rarely fusses unless she needs something.  I can tell when she's getting tired by the tone of her whine, the glaze in her eyes and the droops in her neck.  Her right arm goes wild, we call it the "tomahawk chop," whenever she gets excited.  Mornings are her favorite time of day.  She still loves to snuggle when sleeping -- in a wrap, in a rocking chair or in the bed.  I still call her "Monkey" although the hairy fuzz on her back and shoulders is gone.  Her eyes are bright and blue just like her daddy's.  She's amazing.