4 Months, 4ever more to go

Alyssa has grown so much over the past few weeks! She is now wearing 6 month clothing and has outgrown all of her 3 month outfits and shoes. Alyssa takes baths in the tub without the hammock because she is too big to fit in it, and her nails are growing so fast that we have to cut them twice a week. Her hair seems to be slightly lighter in color in the front, and her eyebrows are growing in even more now. Everyone seems to think that she has Daddy's eyes, ears, and smile and Mommy's nose, mouth, and hair. We have various nicknames for Alyssa, but our favorite ones include the following: Habeebti (Arabic for "my love"), NaNussa (Arabic for "cutie"), Alysussa (made up, but sounds similar to the Arabic word for "cap"), Sweetheart, and Squiggly Wiggly (because she is always kicking and moving around).

The outfit that Alyssa wore when she first came home from the hospital finally fits perfectly.

Alyssa has started to giggle and laugh (which we absolutely love) and always has a smile on her face. When she does get upset, however, she reveals the cutest pout as she protrudes her lower lip before starting to cry. She seems to get startled easily, but loves to listen to different sounds and to be outside. Alyssa has also learned to lean forward and to sit up with some assistance. She tries to pull toys towards her to put most in her mouth, and she has found her hands and loves to suck on them too. It's amazing to see her reach up for toys and to interact more on the play gym and with her toy bars. She is developing a strong personality as she grunts when she is trying hard to reach for things. She has always "stood" when we hold her up on our laps; and her neck, back, and hands are getting stronger every day. We love that we can hold her with one arm and pick her up from under her arms, which makes things easier. She now holds on to Mommy and still loves to kick and move around a lot (as evidenced by her worn out socks and the feet of her sleep-n-plays).

The Pout...right before the Shout Out


Laughing on Mommy's childhood bed

We have settled into a routine for the most part. Alyssa has been sleeping in her crib in her own room and goes to bed around 7:30pm and sleeps through the night. She always sleeps with both hands behind her head, which is adorable. She usually wakes up around 7am and takes 2 short naps in the morning and 1 nap in the afternoon. We try to go for a walk each day, and Alyssa loves to look around and always be mobile.

Here is what we have been up to the past month...

Alyssa and Mommy attended our neighbor's 7th birthday party and met Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Even though Alyssa is too young to have her makeup, hair, and nails done, she enjoyed watching the other girls play dress up and have a magic tea party.

Alyssa had her first professional pictures taken. She loved the camera!

Alyssa met Rob, Amber, and Baby Connor who was born two months after Alyssa. Daddy made sure that Connor kept his distance from Alyssa though.

We celebrated Daddy's 30th birthday (by going out for dinner at a restaurant for the first time) and our 3rd Anniversary (but our first as a family of 3)!

We travelled to Cleveland to visit family and friends for the Labor Day weekend. It was Alyssa's first road trip and her first time travelling to another state. It was also the first time Alyssa was in the car at night, but she handled the 10 hour car ride (which usually took us 7-8 hours) very well. She met MANY of Mommy and Daddy's relatives and also was introduced to Great Grandma and Great Grandpa for the first time. She especially loved meeting cousins Ramsey, Waseem, and Ranya as well as Great Aunt Mary Ann and cousins Christopher and Sarah who said that they would teach Alyssa how to play soccer when she gets bigger.

Alyssa attended church services at St. Maron's (where Mommy and Daddy got married) for the first time for Uncle Al's 40 Day Mass. We are looking forward to having Alyssa baptized there soon.

Alyssa had her 4 month well visit. She now weighs 15 lbs, 14 oz (90th percentile), which is 3 pounds more than her last visit (and seems to be a trend for her for each visit). Her length is 25 inches (75th percentile), and her head circumference is 41.4 cm (75th percentile). The doctor was once again impressed with her measurements, and Alyssa is continuing to grow very well. She received her second round of immunizations and only cried for a couple minutes after the shots again. The doctor discussed starting solids soon, and we cannot wait to have Alyssa try her first taste of cereal, vegetables, and fruit in the coming months.

Talking


Likes:
Bath time
Tummy Time: Alyssa loves to look at all the colorful animals on her play mat.
Blowing bubbles
Talking
Toys and objects that make sounds: Alyssa loves to listen to the phone as we push the buttons to dial numbers.
Clicking noises: Alyssa loves when we make clicking noises with our tongues in varying pitches.
Swing: Alyssa actually does not mind sitting in her swing now.

Dislikes:
Being hungry and tired
Tight socks and clothing
Not being able to go out or move around
Immunizations, especially the taste of the oral vaccine

Reading


Exxxxcellent

Tummy Time with my bear

It's sunny in NC

Our Little Lady is getting so big!


Stylish

The first laughs caught on camera