To Noah - about you at 4 months

Dear Noah,

Happy four-month-aversary of your birth! We had your four month check-up this morning. You weighed 12 pounds, 13 ounces and were 25 inches long. We were a little worried that you were too skinny, but Dr. Bidi McSorley said there was nothing to worry about. In fact she said you were a "perfect four month old."

The big news is that we got the go ahead for you to eat solids. So your first food is on the horizon. Most likely we will give it a go on Saturday. The Dr. Said it didn't matter if we gave you cereal, veggies or fruit first - that most people give cereal first out of tradition. My baby book says that breast fed babies prefer eating mashed bananas because breast milk is sweeter than formula - and therefore they don't like the blandness of the cereal. Not sure yet what we'll do.

You are so much fun now. Your hands are always noodling around and grabbing at things. You smile, squeak and speak gibberish. You like to play shy sometimes and you play peek-a-boo when I'm in the shower in the morning. You love playing with your play gyms and you can spend quite awhile batting away while squeaking with glee - while I email with friends during the day. I make sure to read a few books, sing a few songs, and dance with you every day. Your father's music ability is far superior to mine - and he can change the lyrics of any song to be about you.

I have finally begun putting you down in your bassinet for most of the night. My mother joked "But he's not even seventeen yet." You're still a rebel and will only sleep on your stomach - experts be damned. You continue to wake up every three hours for feeding, but other than that you are a pretty great sleeper. You're in bed by 8pm almost every night. Next we have to transition you into falling asleep no your own instead of needing to be rocked to sleep and then put down. This may be a tough one.

Your father adores you. He spends a good portion of his work day looking at photos of you. And he is SO happy to see you when he gets home. Just witnessing him love you makes my heart swell. Your father is such a wonderful and loving human being. I'm a very lucky wife and you are a very lucky little boy.

In fact you are a very loved by so many people. My mom (Mee Maw) adores you and drives into the city almost every weekend to see you. When she came to see you this weekend she said your smiles made her well up with tears of joy. Grandpa Martin, Grandma Sylvia and Great Grandmom Laima are big Noah fans too. Sylvia can't stop cooing over you. Laima calls you Master Noah and even sent you a Valentines Day card. Patrice, Sean, Trent and Bella are a part of your family and they love you like you were there own. It's really special that you will grow up with a second family like that - we are really blessed to have them in our lives. And Janette has a little one on the way too - and they too are an important part of your extended family. Your Aunt Jessica is only ten, but she really enjoyed time with you two weekends ago. You could not stop smiling at her and it made her feel like a million bucks. Our friend Tracey comes by regularly just to see and hold you. She has pictures of you up on her desktop. She says you are so cute that it's ridiculous. My Dad and I were having tough times before you were born - but we put it all behind us so he could be a part of your life. It's great to see him talking to you and to see Oma holding you. And the whole McCormack clan has sent you cards and gifts over the last few months. Aunt Marilyn and Aunt Jean have called in for updates. We are very sad your Grandmom Muriel isn't with us, but if there is a "heaven" in any sense I am sure she is looking down and keeping watch over you. She's probably your guardian angel.

I am so enamored with you that I want to have another baby right away. If one is this fantastic two must be unbelievable. Plus, you are so great that I owe it to the planet to have more offspring! And I want you to have a playmate. A sibling with whom to share your life. In fact I think that is one of the best gifts I could give to you.

The last four months have been the best of my life. I've never felt so loved or so loving. Thank you. And it's only going to get better as you learn and grow.

With undying, unconditional love today and always, Mom