An Ethan Update

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008

Ethan went to the Dr's yesterday for a 4 month check up. He weighed in at about 11 lbs. Normally we would be told that we should start feeding him rice cereal with his bottles but due to Ethan's prematurity she would like us to hold off till he's 6 months. Ethan is doing well in holding his head up. He is getting to the point now that he doesn't really want to be held to the shoulder any more. Now he is more into sitting up. I don't think he realizes that he isn't quite to that point yet. He's gotta master rolling over if he wants to sit up on his own. At this point Ethan should be grabbing at anything that is dangled infront of him but he isn't really doing that yet. He will go for things if we place them in his hands but he has got to get that grabbing thing down. He is a bit behind where he would be expected to be but nothing that is extremely concerning. Most of it comes from being so early. We are just going to have to put him on his belly a little more often so that he can strengthen his neck & back muscles. Ethan has become so alert over the last month. He is "talking" now. He likes to interject on conversations. Ethan has so much to say & of course we think that everything that he has to say is important. Over the last week Ethan & I haven't had much time together. I managed to pick up a cold & really didn't want him to get it so I have been limiting my contact with him. I completely lost my voice which I hated because I couldn't have a conversation with him. Fortunately I did regain it on Monday & we went back to having our daily talks. I rely on talking to Ethan it is a good way for him to develope his communication skills. Ethan is doing great now with nap time & bed time. He sleeps through the night anywhere between 8-10 hrs. He has been going to bed about 8:30-9:00 at night right after his bottle. He takes a nap everyday between 12-1 & usually again around 4-5. Ethan loves napping in his playpen during the day. We have found that by laying him down for his naps he sleeps longer & wakes up in a much better mood. His fussiness has been almost completely eliminated since he has been put on a regular nap schedule.