Manoli @ 4 Months

It's been a busy 4 months, that's for sure ! I am a stay at home mom living in Florida with my husband. We are both originally from NJ, so all, and I mean ALL our family still lives up there. That part has been the toughest. Not only because I miss them now especially that I have a baby. But the HELP that I desperately desire. It's pretty much just me and Jimmy all the time. Bouncing back and fourth, taking turns entertaining Manoli and over all attending to his every need. It would be so nice to just have a little break once in a while and have a family member watch him, or even hold him for an hour so I can make dinner ! I just keep telling myself it'll get better. Right ? Being a stay at home mom has to be one of the toughest jobs. Your shift is 24 hours a day.

At 4 months now, I am still exclusively breastfeeding. Whoohoo !! Something I am so incredibly proud of, only because - 1 - I never ever thought I would want to and -2- because I threatened to quit every time I had to feed him that first 3 weeks.  But the guilt I put myself thru just thinking about him drinking formula instead of that liquid gold, just killed me and I always somehow managed to push myself during those 3 weeks. I also had/have this thing in my head that if Manoli drinks "mothers milk" he will be smart and advanced and if not, then, well.... I was not a breastfed baby and neither was my husband so I pretty much had no knowledge of what to do and had to scramble bits of advice from here and there and somehow it worked. I am a breastfeeding PRO !                                            

     The PUMP I use and love !

At 4 months, Manoli is now trying to turn himself over. His arm gets stuck so he hasn't mastered it quite yet but I help him out, poor guy.

He grabs all the toys when on his playmat and puts them in his mouth. He even reaches for the toys that are up higher. We also just bought him an activity saucer which he loved at first, but gets quickly bored with it. I regret not getting a bouncer instead. However, he does play with all the toys on it and moves himself around little by little.

He smiles and giggles galore. I'm loving this stage right now. He started to blow raspberries back at me when I do them first. His way of communicating so far. Hasn't said Mama yet but I'm working on it. I swear he says I love you (Iyouu) is what it sounds like. He loves to babble. Loves his Aden blankees.

Baby Einstein Activity Saucer 

 Manoli still sleeps in his own crib in his own room at night. He is in bed every night by 9:45pm and no later ! He sleeps on his stomach. He hates to sleep on his back ( that's why I had no sleep for the first month ! ) I know doctors and their mothers advise you not to, but hey, I know what's best for my son. Manoli will sleep 6-8 hours before he wakes for his night/early morning feeding and them go back to sleep for another 3-5 hours depending.

Manoli weighs 14.1 pounds and is 24 1/2 inches long.