4 Months Old!

At four months old, Jacob is twice as big as he was when he was born! He is rolling over, chewing on EVERYTHING IN REACH and giving us days full of giggles and nights full of sleep. It is amazing. It is official - we no longer have a newborn. We have a happy bouncing baby, learning new things every day and filling our lives with absolute joy. Some highlights from the last couple weeks:

• Grandma came and visited and babysat while Mommy had back-to-work fall training. Days full of cuddles, walks, baking, and books!
• Uncle Steven and Aunt Ashley also visited from Seattle and took Jacob shopping in Soho!
• A big family reunion at Aunt Monika's (and a slightly disastrous car ride)
• Some tummy troubles that disturbed our sleep for a few days but seem (knock on wood) to have resolved themselves. Seems like the Bean's dairy/soy issues persist, even though Mommy can't figure out what it was, exactly, that set off the troubles.
• A big BBQ at home for the Kellys and Nortons.
• A trip with Grandma and Mommy to the Guggenheim to see the Kandinsky exhibit.
• Several days with Margot, our new babysitter, who will be with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays while Mommy goes out to teach.

Look at the cheeks on this boy! He finally has some chunk! We've figured that he's in the 25-50th percentiles for length and head circumference, which is great, but still below the 5th for weight. This means A) our baby is shaped like a lollipop, and B) even though he's still on the small side, his development is right on target, so Mommy can stop obsessing that he's not getting enough to eat. We are just enjoying every minute.

The Last Couple Weeks

Here are some pictures floating around from the last couple weeks - Jacob's first train ride, a trip out to the Hamptons, and fun smiles from around the house.

My new favorite picture

Observe the toungue, the desperate need to shove something in his mouth...is someone teething?

Giggles

The Tiniest Walker

Friends of Jacob, Zach and I have, for several years, been a part of AIDS Walk NYC and helped raise thousands of dollars for AIDS research and patient support. Since Jacob was born ON the day of the walk this year, we are going to AIDS Walk DC instead! We each have our own fund-raising campaign, but I thought it would be fun to let Jacob in on the action and start his philanthropic work as soon as possible. Since Jacob has only been around for 4 months, his social network is pretty limited, so I thought I'd hit y'all up in addition to his family members :)

He has set the goal of raising $100 for AIDS Walk DC by October 3rd. These funds go to direct services for AIDS/HIV patients through the Whitman Walker Clinic in DC. Washington DC has an AIDS epidemic rate comparable with most of sub-saharan Africa - one in twenty adults in DC are HIV positive.

Please consider sponsoring Jacob's walk (okay, more like a stroller-ride) against AIDS by donating $5, $10, $25...whatever you are able! Help him reach his goal of $100! You can click HERE to get to his fund-raising page. Thanks so much!

The Beach

This weekend we went out to Aunt Pat's and Uncle Jim's beach house in Cutchogue, on the North Fork of Long Island. It was perfect - warm, breezy, and relaxing. Jacob loved it!

15 weeks

Last night Daddy said "This baby is cuter than any two cute babies put together." Couldn't agree more.

Here are some beguiling pictures from Jacob's fifteenth week on this big blue marble. We walked the Brooklyn Bridge, took some excellent naps (with a great deal of coaxing) and Jacob finally outgrew his newborn clothes! I have packed them away and brought out all the 0-3's!



This week he also rolled over, became a champion Tummy-Timer, has worked on perfecting his ability to put toys in his mouth and drool all over them, and gone the longest amount of time yet between poos. He went to a wedding and was complimented by everyone present on his cuteness and mild-manners. He's started watching me eat with great interest, and licks his lips when I put things in my mouth. I can't believe how soon he'll be starting to eat real food - November seems suddenly right around the corner!

It's astounding how much we love this little man.