Four Months Old!

Ezra had his 4-month pediatrician visit on January 7. He was 22.5" long, and then at another appointment last Friday he was 10lb 12oz. I think that as of his 4-month "birthday," he probably weighs 11lb or so. The doctor decreased his oxygen setting to 1/32L - the lowest possible - and we go back on the 21st for a recheck.

This weight and height is exciting because it means Ezra is not only getting bigger, but he's growing faster than the curve! At birth he was in the 27th percentile for weight and 19th for height. Upon discharge from the NICU, he was 15th percentile for weight and 6th for height. Now he is in the 30th for weight and 45th for height! (All the percentiles are in comparison to babies of the same gestational/adjusted age, so 2 months... he is not on the charts compared to full-term babies who are 4 months old, nor should he be at this point.)

He is wearing 0-3 and 3 month outfits. A few pairs of newborn pants still fit him - most of his length is in his torso. He is wearing size 1 disposable diapers, but we switched to cloth a few days ago. Our one-size diapers are very big on him - some still too big to use. The few small cloth diapers we have fit pretty nicely.

Ezra this month

The most exciting thing Ezra did this month was start smiling! Those sweet baby grins are heart-melting. I haven't captured a big grin on camera - too busy enjoying them - but I've gotten a smile or two. He also found his hands (and uses them to hold a pacifier or toy) and started holding up his head/chest during tummy time. I think he is very close to rolling over from tummy to back. He seems to be seeing across the room too - he reacts to me or Ross entering a room and stares endlessly at light sources. He also finally took an interest in high-contrast images, and he will talk to that good-looking baby in the mirror for quite a while.

As far as sleep goes, Ezra's still waking up several times a night. However, this month we were able to move him into our bedroom during the night rather than taking shifts with him in the living room. He's finally quiet enough when he sleeps that we can sleep too, plus his reduced need for oxygen means we worry less about the cannula coming out. He typically falls asleep around 7 or 8 p.m. and wakes up at 11, 2, and 5. Some nights he sleeps through the 11:00 waking... we wish he'd skip 2 or 5 instead!

Progression: birth to 4 months