Holland is four months and we're falling more in love each day!
Holland's stats at four months...
Weight: 15 lbs 15 oz (80%)
Height: 26" (95%)
Head: 16.5"
E A T
Judging by her weight, Holland continues to be an excellent eater. Her arm rolls are starting to resemble her big brother's and her cheeks could not be fuller. She typically eats every 2.5-3.5 hours during the day and has become incredibly efficient unless there is a lot going on in the room. She continues to have major FOMO and is such a social butterfly that she doesn't want to miss a thing... even if it means missing out on a meal. When we're at home I've been going to her room to feed her so she doesn't have so many distractions.
Several times a week she's still waking up in the middle of the night to eat. SIGH. If it were just a snack I'd think it was a phase but these are full blown meals. I know the 4-month sleep regression is common but I'm feeling like a newborn mom again. So very sleepy.
Her pediatrician was pleased with her weight gain and told us we could start her on rice cereal at four months or wait until six. I waited until six months with the twins and plan to do the same with Holland.
We had a bit of a scare at the beginning of month four. I had a pretty bad headache and decided to use peppermint essential oil instead of taking meds. I used a few drops on my forehead. The next day my supply tanked. I normally get around 10 oz each time I pump and this day I pumped two. TWO! I had no idea what was happening and poor Holland was hungry an hour after every feeding. It wasn't until a day or so later I realized the drop in supply was due to the peppermint oil. Thankfully, once I stopped using the oil everything went back to normal. Thank goodness. Anywho, this is a PSA to stay far, far away from peppermint oil while breastfeeding. Now I know what I'll be using when it comes time to wean!
Holland is wearing size 2 diapers and once we're done with this box we'll move to size 3. She's still able to fit in most of her 3-6 month clothes but they're definitely getting snug. I imagine by next month she'll only be able to wear 6-12. This is all happening so fast! Her hair is starting to grow back and is so soft. She has blonde roots but is still hanging onto quite a bit of her dark hair from birth so I'm curious to see what it'll look like and if it'll be straight like Jude's or wavy like Sloane's!
P L A Y
Holland loves to play and has such a fun personality these days. She adores watching Jude & Sloane and they can get her to smile/laugh faster than anyone. When we were in Florida she rolled from back to stomach for the first time (July 31) and now you can't put her down without her immediately rolling.
We also pulled out the bumbo and she enjoyed it as well, though I'm not sure how much we'll use it because her chunky thighs barely fit.
While we were in Florida she loved splashing in the water but we mostly kept her inside or in the shade since she couldn't wear sunscreen. It was such a fun trip and her cousins were so sweet with her. Evan was great at showing the others how to hold her carefully and they all loved to squish her cheeks.
S L E E P
I just let out a defeated sigh. This has been a bit hard for everyone. As I mentioned above, she's not consistently sleeping through the night. Some nights she does and some nights she's up 1-2 times wanting to eat. If the nighttime sleep regression was our only issue I'd drink an extra cup of coffee and deal with it. However, her real struggle is napping during the day. She is queen of the short naps. Her longest one is typically in the morning and then the entire afternoon is a jumbled mess of short naps and an even shorter temper. She still loves to be held as she drifts off to sleep so putting her in her crib wide awake usually leads to very loud screams.
Since Holland officially rolls from front to back and back to front, we decided to retire the Dockatot. The week before we left for Florida she started exclusively sleeping/napping in her crib and the transition was so easy for her (not so much for me). She used the Dockatot while we were in Sanibel and I think she preferred the extra space in the crib so once we returned it's been all crib all the time and we haven't looked back. I sure do miss her sleeping right next to me but I know this is better for everyone.
Her pediatrician doesn't recommend the cry it out method until six months so for now, I'm just trying my best to stick to a (laidback) schedule and realize most days are going to have some flaws. I'm curious to see if this gets a little better when the twins go to school and there are less distractions, less noise, and more consistency. Or maybe she's just a terrible sleeper.
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Holland was dedicated to the Lord on July 22. Instead of my usual monthly blog letter, I'm going to include the letter Michael and I wrote and read at her dedication. It was such a sweet time with both sets of grandparents.
Dear Holland,
Today we dedicate you, our precious daughter, to the Lord. From the moment we found out about you, we’ve prayed. Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for wisdom, and prayers for safety. We know you were entrusted to us for such a short time and when we think about your life, we hope you are compassionate, loyal, and brave.
Holland, we pray you always show compassion to those around you. Love the unlovable, care for the careless, and give hope to the hopeless. Whether it be a hurting friend or a complete stranger, show them love. It’s a free gift that has a lasting impact.
We pray you are loyal. You were born into an imperfect family, but loyalty has always been at our core. Be committed to Jesus and the Gospel as well as your friends and family. Loyalty is a requirement in any relationship, and we promise to hold you accountable. Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart.
Lastly, we pray you are brave. The world can be a scary place but there is so much good. Seek out the beauty and look for the adventure. God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Remember that when you are scared. Be bold. Be brave. And always know you have so many people standing beside you, cheering you on.
As your family, we pledge to serve as your foundation throughout your life. We will do our best to serve as examples, continually working on our relationships with each other and the Lord. Our commitment to you is that you will always know love and be continually reminded of how special you are, not only in our eyes, but in His. We will strive to raise you in an honest, happy home, and a community and network of friends that will nurture your walk with Christ.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19
We love you, Holland Claire.
Love - Dad & Mom
