Three and Four Months!

My Dearest Evan,

You are just about the perfect little baby. When I describe you to people, I tell them you're the kind of baby that tricks people into wanting to have more...because you're so easy going. Don't get me wrong, you still have your moments when you freak out on us but all in all, you're pretty chill.

At your four month check-up, you weighed 18 lbs, 9 oz, and you were 24.75 inches long. I just had to clean out your drawers (again) and move your size up to the 6-9 month clothing range. You're a big, healthy boy. You now laugh in your sleep when you're dreaming, you sleep in your own room, you suck your hand and fingers (not a pacifier), you're picky about eating from a bottle from me (you'd rather nurse), you smile and coo a lot in the morning, you found your feet, you roll from tummy time to your back, you sometimes roll to your side when in your bed, you're not a fan of baths and you're not mad often but when you are mad you look at me like I'm a horrible person. I'm afraid you get your facial expressions from me.

In the past two months, I've transitioned back to work, your cousins Greg and Zoie have come out to visit you, and you've started daycare. After two weeks at daycare, you've started getting used to it but you used to cry when another kid would startle you as you were drifting off to sleep. You're just not used to all that noise. You love watching your sister entertain you and you cuddle with me better than you do with dad.

You were also the victim of a terrible accident when your cousins were in town. You were all headed to the pool and there was hot water in a thermos in the cup holder of the stroller you were in (to heat your bottle up when you got hungry). The stroller hit a bump and the hot water fell on you. Luckily it didn't get more of you than it did but it got your upper right thigh. You, of course, screamed bloody murder and dad and grandma worked quickly to address the issue. You've seen the doctor several times for it and dad's been changing your bandages twice a day. We now know that you'll likely have two scars on your leg from it, but I'm thinking you won't remember it since you were so young. It happened my third day back at work, during dad's time off with you. It is the worse burn I've ever seen but you haven't seen bothered by it since it happened. I'll be so glad when it's healed and I don't think it will bother you much as you grow older because your shorts and pants will cover it.

Here is your life in pictures right now:

Three month photo:

Avery wanted in on the action too!

Pictures of you with your cousins:

walking the neighborhood

Greg holding you for the first time

Grandma feeding you

Zoie getting her time in with you too!

Got some good pics of you and dad playing around:

At the aquarium in Phoenix

My family! We stayed in Phoenix for a couple of days

Look at those rosy chubby cheeks!

We went to the common area to make smores - you had fun too!

You love being propped up with pillows - not really a fan of laying down unless you're sleeping

Your sit-up chair

I'm sorry

Dad found a crew at Starbucks for you two to hang out with while he was off work with you.

Here are some from your first Easter:

You mostly got clothes and teething toys

Your cute suit that Kim brought you...figured we needed to get you into it while it still fit

At the neighborhood egg hunt

so handsome!

Here's you with your sister, who loves to be with you/help you/entertain you:

She's entertaining you while I get ready for work

two peas in a pod!

on a ride at the aquarium

at the Phoenix children's museum

go Royals!

taking sister to school

you two are so cute!

this is typical of her love for you right now. I know it may not always be like this but I'm enjoying it for now.

Here are some more pictures of just you as you grow:

holding your head up so well!

the many faces of Evan Stein

wild hair! and it just wouldn't stay down!

first time facing forward in the carrier

you eat well ;)

you're not a fan of your carseat when we're not moving in the car

smiling! oh my heart!

found your thumb!

I thought daddy wasted money on this hat....until this!

the thumb again!

getting so big! we're seeing more and more of your personality every day

this is like 10 minutes after waking up - you're so happy!

you found your foot! you've since outgrown this rocker

And finally, here are your four month pictures:

You, my little man, make my heart go pitter patter. You're just the greatest little baby. I wish more of my side of the family could see you as a baby - they'd be so in love. Soon enough! While I enjoy my job, you and your sister make it difficult to leave you each day but make me eager to get back to you at night. I'm one lucky mom and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you!

All my love,

Mom