Harrison boy!
We’re more than halfway through July which means you, my love, are 4 months old. How can I possibly have a 4 month old? That can’t be right.
You’re way past the point of being a newborn and although that saddens me a bit, I know the fun is just getting started. In the last month, we did so much.
Nan and I took you on your very first road trip: we ventured to Cape Cod to visit your Great Nana. You were an absolute champ. You didn’t cry at all. I was and still am completely impressed and very thankful. Great Nan came to see you when you were just ten days old, but you’re much more interesting now. She marveled at how strong and sweet you are and loved hosting you.
I loved showing you off. The two of you hit it off immediately.
We celebrated your first Fourth of July this year and it was a blast. Mommy and Daddy opted to skip the barbecues and play at home with you all day. And play we did.
We pulled out the jumperoo and although your toes barely touched the floor, we have great hopes for it soon as you continue to stretch and grow.
Mommy and Daddy had our first ever date night. It was quite lovely to eat a meal at a leisurely pace but we missed you terribly. We grabbed dinner down the road and left you with Uncle Nick & Aunt Emmy during a crazy thunderstorm. I was nervous the whole time and made Daddy rush home after dinner so I could see for myself that you were in fact okay. That night was an eventful one but that’s a story for a different day.
After Daddy went to work one day, you and I drove an hour upstate to visit Mommy’s friend. You napped on the way there and upon entering Kathleen’s home, you showcased what a polite, charming and respectful baby you are. I bet you didn’t know babies could be polite, charming or respectful… they can, and you are. Kathleen marveled at what an “easy” baby you are and how she hopes Everett will have some of your qualities. Everett is Kathleen’s newborn that was born hours after we left her home… I suppose you just have that effect on pregnant ladies.
I continue to be in complete awe at how well you go with the flow. Whether we toss you in the car for an impromptu shopping trip or pass you around from friend to friend, you never complain and keep your happy attitude the whole time.
I hope this is something you’ll carry with you forever. I’m doubtful it will last when you’re two or three, but let Mommy dream. (The picture below was taken at the car dealership - when fixing the car, they took twice as long as they said they would and you and I sat in the dealership for TWO hours. You didn’t complain once and I love you for that.)
You enjoyed your first outing in a restaurant this last month and you were amazing. No crying or whining or shrieking… I’m going to go ahead and say part of this is Mommy and Daddy making sure your needs are met but the other part is definitely you being you.
You also enjoyed your first outing to church this last month. You enjoyed the music and people-watching.
You had your first pool day at Miss Stacey’s house and although you couldn’t actually go in the pool, you made the best of what you could do… lounge under sun protection and look adorably cool and cute.
Not a minute goes by without a finger or your whole hand in your mouth. We are taking this as a definite sign of teething although the actual tooth may be months behind.
The drool is also a pretty good indicator of what’s to come…
Try to keep those teeth down for a couple more months because we’re not ready to say good-bye to your toothless smile…
From the beginning, we marveled at your range of expression. For the record, your expressions are still pretty killer.
There’s the “pursed-lip quizzical” expression…
The “take-this-damn-hat-off” expression…
The “what-the-heck-are-you-doing” expression…
The “arched-eyebrow” expression…
The “that-camera-phone-again” expression…
And the “this-store-bores-me” sleep expression…
I love them all. You are smiling, cooing and cackling all the time. If I ever had doubts about how Daddy and I were functioning as first time parents, those smiles, coos and cackles give me hope that we aren’t totally helpless.
You’re quite close to rolling from back to belly. You get all the way up on your side and then chill there. In fact, these days, you’re sleeping on your left side just like Momma.
You still aren’t sleeping that well but that’s about to change. Sleep training is starting soon for you, my boy. Hold on tight.
Speaking of holding… when I hold you during a feeding, I can really tell how big you’re getting. When I held you in my arms months ago, your tiny feet would rest in my palms, and I played with your toes. When I hold you now, your bottom rests in my palm, and your legs and feet extend way past my hand.
I can’t let another month pass without mentioning your Daddy time. Every morning, Daddy wakes up with you and you play and play and play until I wake up and join you. This lets me sleep a little bit in the early morning and it allows for you and Daddy to enjoy each others company without distraction. This is Daddy’s favorite time of day and you love it, too. Seeing you interact during this special time together absolutely melts me.
We just got back from our first family vacation to Maine - for Uncle Mike & Aunt Kate’s wedding. It was close to a six hour drive, but you slept and entertained yourself and didn’t complain a bit. We had a great time and you came everywhere us. Hiking, walking, shopping, eating out, swimming… you name it - you came along. You slept well (Harrison standards…) despite being in your travel crib in a strange house. We couldn’t be prouder of you.
This summer has been the best summer ever. Harrison Mark, you continue to light up our days and make us look like complete fools as we coo at you, shamelessly try to elicit laughs and capture an embarrassing amount of pictures.
Raise your bottle to four months of neverending, fascinating, sleepless bliss.
Love you to Maine, back, and beyond.
Mommy & Daddy
P.S. If you want to catch up on your other letters, here is your 6-week letter, your 2-month letter and your 3-month letter.