Ryan is 4 months old!

Since I missed Ryan's 3 month post, you get a 2 for 1 special this time (which means it's going to be a long one)! Time is flying by. Nothing has changed about that. It seems as though when you have a new baby, you spend most of your time making adjustments and trying to find routine in your life again. Then before you know it, your baby is already half a year old. And while Ryan isn't quite 6 months old yet, I know it's sneaking up on me. So in between the dirty diapers, feedings, and the needs of two older siblings, I'm doing my best to keep up with Ryan's milestones and special moments.
Ryan's 3rd month was a challenging one. He's had some colic and I've been working hard to find what things work to comfort and get him (and me) through. Through much trial and error we have discovered that the following things seem to work best to help Ryan:
1. Swaddling. As he's gotten bigger, he's outgrown the need to have his entire body swaddled. He still finds comfort, however, in having his arms swaddled by his sides to help him sleep.
2. Gripe Water. I hadn't even heard of Gripe Water until a couple months ago. Thank goodness for Facebook! At first I was more sparing with it (it's quite pricey), only giving it to Ryan when he was at his fussiest. I discovered, however, that giving it to him in regular increments (and even before he becomes fussy) helps him to be a much happier baby.
3. White noise. Tyler loved white noise when he had fussy moments as a baby and the same is true for Ryan. When nothing else works, a little white noise will do the trick!
4. The Snuggli. I got my Snuggli when Tyler was born, but never really used it much. Tyler didn't like it and I didn't find it very comfortable. Then when Allison was born, I purchased a Maya Wrap (thanks to my sister's recommendation) and thought it was the best baby carrier on earth! Allison loved it too and we NEVER left home without it. Ryan has not seen the same value in the Maya that Allison did. I remembered that I had the Snuggli and decided to give it a whirl. It works perfect for Ryan. As I have stated in his previous posts, Ryan loves to be held upright. He also likes facing out so that he can see any and everything. One of his complaints about the Maya was that is scrunched up his little legs that he prefers to have stretched out. The Snuggli solved this problem and made him one happy boy! It's so true how each baby is SO different!
Ryan reached the following milestones during his third month:

• He rolled from his tummy to his back on Wednesday, January 9th. (Just a week after turning 2 months!)
• He laughed out loud for the first time the day after Christmas. This is one of the best baby sounds in my book!
• He discovered his hands and learned that they could go in his mouth. He has kept them there ever since.

Finally, here are few of my favorite pictures of Ryan taken throughout his 3rd month:

Sleepy Santa Baby

T.V. time with Tyler

Watching Tyler and Allison Christmas morning

Another picture??? Can't you see I'm busy?!

That brings us to the present. Ryan is 4 months old today! He has his 4 month well visit this Firday, so I will update with those stats later. The best news is that either we have come up with some of the best remedies or Ryan's colic is subsiding! He has seemed like such a happier and more content baby over the last week and a half or so. I give part of the credit to Probiotics that I finally started giving to him (thanks to my sister - once again - for explaining their benefit to me and encouraging me to use them).

Here's what Ryan's up to at 4 months old:

• He has come up with a universal squeal. He uses the same squeal to say "I'm happy," "I need fed," "I think you're funny," "I need my diaper changed," "I'm sleepy," and "I want you to pick me up please!" I just have to look for facial cues to help me know what the squeal means each time.
• He loves his Bumbo seat more than ever. Next to being held, it's his favorite place to be! It's one of the best ways for me to get a picture of him since he isn't extremely fond of lying on his back and doesn't cooperate when I prop him in the corner of the couch. He'll stiffen his little legs and arch his back until he slides all the way down and gets mad. Sadly, I don't think it will be long until he's able to bail himself out of the Bumbo though. He's already been plotting and practicing his escape for a couple weeks now!
  
  
• He still loves chewing (and drooling) on his little hands and fists, but he's found a special love for his first two fingers (like in the picture above). He doesn't suck on them though. Just chews and drools.
• He is working so hard to develop his eye-hand coordination by reaching and grasping for objects. He is quite eager to clear off a surface!
• He is becoming a little more tolerant of his car seat. Thanks to some fun baby toys and a great big brother who sits by him and entertains him!
• He is becoming quite fond of bath time in the sink (up until recently he preferred taking showers with Mommy). Once he's used to the water, he'll sit and play for a very long time. It's so cute watching him try and grab the bubbles in the water. :)
  
  
• He is starting to enjoy tummy time. And proves just what a strong boy he is while doing so!

• He loves to exercise his little legs by pretending that our tummies and sides are rock climbing walls while we are holding him. Again, such a strong little guy!
• He enjoys T.V. time with Daddy. This (along with listening to music) is Daddy's preferred method of calming Ryan when he's fussy.
• He is trying his very best to carry on conversations with us. Instead of just random cooing, he is stringing sounds together and using voice inflection. I guess we've progressed to babbling.

And here are just a few more pictures from this past month. (At this point, the post is beyond too long, so why not?)