Nineteen weeks.

This past week was such a blur. You are changing while my back is turned. A four month checkup told us what we already know... you are healthy and strong and growing like a weed. After the doctor you were incredibly talkative, telling Sophia la girafe all about it. You had your first fever (101.2!), and we took it slow during the days afterwards. The day after your shots you started rolling from stomach to back and figured out how to get your foot into your mouth. You let me clip your fingernails with minimal flailing. Your hair is growing in nicely where you rubbed it off with head tossing. You like to hang upside down in my lap and on the bed. You weigh 16.6 lbs and are 26 inches long.

One evening I dipped your toes in a very cold pool... you decided it was not for you at that moment. You saw old friends and lots of family, including a distant baby cousin. You got your picture taken a few times. You are an active sleeper, slowly making your way closer and closer to the edge of the bed. You rolled out of the bed more than once. I usually find you grinning ear to ear in the middle of the bedroom floor. You kick me in your slumber and this morning I woke up confused to find you nursing my elbow hungrily. You often turn in a circle on the floor, propelling yourself with your feet. You went down in the evenings without any fuss. There were a few days and nights of non stop nursing and others when you never stirred and played quietly. You don't seem to mind being shuttled from car seat to carrier and back. You'll settle down to nap wherever, especially if it's somewhere boring. I would have thought you were too young to care but the inside of the toy store held your attention easily... a little too easily. We helped celebrate Vincent's six month birthday and watched him army crawl across the floor with super strength. We ate empanadas with friends and yet again felt thankful for neighbors and sweet babies.

You chew on books and then a green onion with glee. You clutch blankets and cat whiskers or an errant dog tail. Bright sun makes you cranky and you want everything we eat. You smile at us from across the room and you even recognize a few people besides us. A long walk is enjoyed while you giggle and shriek. The television holds your fascination and we try to only turn it on after bedtime. You watch from the Ergo quietly as we water plants and suddenly act bashful when strangers flirt with you. You attempt to catch the water in the shower, holding out your hand under the faucet. You poop all the time and think it is just so funny when you stick your hand in it. I find myself washing your hands all day long. You still touch my face while you eat, usually putting your hand in my mouth or a finger up my nose. You pat the other boob to make sure it's still there for later. 

You were an angel all of Mother's Day weekend. Grandpapa went with us on a walk and to Kien Gang where you tasted mint leaves and a piece of lettuce. You much preferred the mint and also wanted to my cup of mango bubble tea very badly, partly because of the happy fish on the cup. We opened mail from Uncle Walker and I read you his message. Sunday morning we celebrated our moms. I appreciate our mothers that much more now. They are so good to you and to us. I am grateful for your Pop who sneakily had the past twelve months printed up for us in a book to enjoy. Someday I will show you how little you were. You were microscopic at one point! Every day I am so happy that you chose me to be your mother. It is the most fun I have ever had and also the hardest work... a balance that suits us just fine.