Colin is 4 Months Old!

Happy 4 month birthday to our little nugget!  A lot of development has taken place this past month, but our favorite of all is the GIGGLING!!!  Colin first giggled at Marshall while in his carseat, getting ready to go to church one Sunday morning.  Colin is always the happiest in the morning, and this day was no exception.  He usually fights with us a bit about getting buckled into his carseat, so we often have to distract him with funny faces and noises.  Only this time, Daddy's funny faces elicited the most beautiful, joyful sound our ears had ever heard!  Colin lit up and giggled away...it was so precious.  He laughed a few more times while we had company visiting as well...he gave Grandma Mary some good laughs as they arrived late one Friday night to visit for the weekend.  But in the last week or so, we've seen a lot more of the silly giggle action, and it just makes our day!  Funny faces and noises are his favorite, and he seems to get a kick out of a tickle too...anything new that he hasn't experienced before, so it really keeps us guessing!  He's got us wrapped around his little finger for sure :)  Giggle videos coming soon!

Another big milestone is his ability to grasp and hold his toys.  Last month he had really improved his hand-eye coordination, and was getting better at swatting at the toys hanging above him while on his activity mat.  But now, he is fully grabbing them...and he has quite a strong grip (I know this because my hair and necklaces have been caught in the squeeze a few times!).  He can hold his toys on his own, and explores them with his busy hands and fingers - and by putting them in his mouth.  I think he's really amazed at his new-found abilities with his hands, but they sometimes pose a distraction during sleep.  Colin has always been pretty strong, but now he's learning how to fight his way out of his swaddle sack, which he sleeps in at night and during naps.  His little hands will make their way up to his face, which will frequently wake him up or knock out his pacifier.  I'd like to transition him out of the swaddle sack soon, but he doesn't seem ready quite yet (the few times I've tried this, he flails about and can't relax).  This will probably be our next challenge!

Colin's other new favorite thing is Sesame Street.  I record the show on DVR every day, so we have some episodes to put on occasionally during play time.  I intended to have it on in the background from time to time, but we've noticed that he really does actually watch it!  Sometimes he likes to relax in his swing and watch Elmo, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, and his other favorite characters - just like I did when I was little.  I was also surprised to see that some of the same human characters that I remember from when I watched it are still on the show!  I love the educational element of the show, and it's actually even pretty entertaining - spoofing current TV shows and movies like "Boardwalk Empire" and "The Life of Pi."  Cookie Monster's performance as the beast in the tiny boat from the movie was really quite humorous :)  Here's a video of Colin watching his new favorite show:

Marshall and I have the most fun with this little baby.  He is our whole world.  We're so excited about all the fun activities ahead that the warmer weather will bring!

Here's the latest chalkboard wall and 4 month update photo!

And a couple other cute ones from the past week ;)  Enjoy!