4 MONTHS

Zane had his four-month check-up yesterday. He is 12 pounds 2 ounces. I was thrilled he was at least12 pounds. He is such a little guy and I usually take it personally, like I am doing something wrong. But it must be said that he is also 25 and 1/2 inches long! That is the 95th percentile for his age! So I guess he is just growing up instead of out. Which is a good thing. He is so active and that is probably one of the reasons why, he doesn't have too much to impede him so he is motivated to move. He can roll all the way across the floor, is starting to push up on his arms and we are working on sitting... he is getting there, still head dives after a few seconds :) The doctor, nurses and early intervention people continue to be amazed by him and his capabilities.

Another exciting thing that the doctor said is that I can let Zane sleep as long as he wants at night now. No more setting the alarm to go wake up my sleeping baby to feed him. He can just let me know when he wants to now. But before any of you start to think that that means I will be enjoying an extended period of sleep, just know that I still wake up out-of-the-blue every hour feeling like I need to check Zane's oxygen. So instead of five one-hour sleeps, without a feeding, I might get 7 or so one-hour naps in a row. Exciting. I think....

And the advent of SOLIDS can begin in a month!! I am excited about this but I don't really know why. It could turn out to be a huge challenge, but I think I just want Zane to be eating more and not feel like it is totally my fault if he still stays ultra slim. But my baby is growing up and I don't really know how I feel about that either. Solids? Like a big kid? (Well, not really big kid solids, but you know what I mean). Sometimes I wish Zane would just stay tiny forever and it makes me appreciate that he actually is so tiny now. I can just hold him and cherish every moment.

Him getting his shots this time was more traumatic - for both of us. Last time he screamed once and that was about it. This time he really let us know that he was upset about what just happened and he screamed and did the saddest cry :( It broke my heart. I bet it will be even worse next time. His little legs were tender the rest of the day. Poor thing. I snuggled with him to help him feel better. (Side thought - Zane is getting a lot more snugglie now. He loves to lay with his head on our shoulders, cuddled up against us. It is the best).

Back to the oxygen issue. Zane does great without it when he is awake, which we are so grateful for, but he dips when he sleeps and eats still so we have to put it back on him for those things and all through the night (remember my little one-hour naps...). We are going to do this for a while, especially because it can help him be healthier through the winter. Oxygen is frustrating, but we just want what is best for Zane, so we will be dealing with it for a little while longer.

At Zane's next appointment we start doing some of the screening things that are recommended for children with Down syndrome (ex. blood tests for thyroid problems, another hearing test, etc.) We are so grateful that Zane is so healthy and strong and pray always that that will continue.

We love this little guy more than we can express. He is amazing and doing great! Yay!!!