Countdown to Baby Harrison!: Four Months Old!

Mairi is turning into the most delightful little companion. She has been very social this last month - going to fitness class several days a week, Ys Moms once a week, out to Strollers and Stars (movie theatre), out for a swimming date, and to countless parties. She is pretty easy to bring out and enjoys visiting with people. For the most part she does not play strange and we are happy to let her be held by anyone who is interested. She is starting to interact with the people and things around her, which is really neat. Last weight check was just shy of 14 lbs but we will weigh her on Tuesday when she goes for her four-month immunization.

She is starting to really find her voice as well. She makes lots of "hi" and "heuh" noises and once in a while gets really loud and high pitched. She smiles a lot at Jeff and me as well as those faces she recognizes (like aunties and grandparents). She is SO CLOSE to rolling over but is not quite there. I think it will happen any day now (though I've been saying that for a while...) Her head and shoulders are very strong and steady and she likes to stand while we hold her up. She is also getting good at sitting - she even sat up unsupported for over ten seconds the other day!

Mairi started physiotherapy on the 20th of December to try and address her preference for turning her head only to the left. It has caused a bit of flat head to develop since she only ever sleeps on her back and her head is always turned the same way. The therapist figures her neck muscles became tight when she was in the womb, likely when she was lying transverse. The use of vacuum at delivery wouldn't have helped either. But we were given exercises and tactics to use to try and get her to turn the other way and generally loosen up (you can never see her neck because it's always scrunched up and her shoulders are up to her ears). We will have to go once a week for two or three months but there should be no long term problems after things are resolved.

Well I started writing this post on the 19th and then Christmas happened. But with it came some very exciting happenings. Mairi got another little friend on December 24th when our friends the Fuchses had beautiful Violet! It will be so cool to watch these two little girls grow up together like their daddies did. Waskesiu trips will be great fun! This new addition to the group, along with the lovely Adalyn, who was born to the Mathies on December 12, means three little girls and a whole lot of trouble! Poor Adrian is going to have a lot to contend with!

In addition to two new playmates this month, Mairi met a very big milestone shortly after Christmas: on December 27 she rolled over from her stomach to her back! It was such a thrilling moment and I was so proud. It does mean, however, that we can no longer swaddle her when she is sleeping so we are making that transition into just sleep sacks with her arms out. The first night she woke up a lot, but last night she slept from about 11 to 6:30, ate, then slept until 10. So pretty good.

I had a good time getting ready for Christmas and actually found that I enjoyed the preparations because I had enough time to do most things I wanted to get done. I feel like we had an actual Christmas and took time to just be and relax and spend time with our family and friends.

I am continuing to have steady success on Weight Watchers - I've lost 14 lbs. since starting the program in mid-October. I am back into a lot of my regular clothes but am still pretty self-conscious of my belly. I really enjoyed my Fit 4 Two fitness and bootcamp classes but they are no longer being offered so I will be doing baby and me aquacize and bootcamp at the leisure centre with Tara in the new year. Things are coming along. All in all I am still just loving being a mom and look forward to having even more friends and babies to hang out with now.