The Cutest Video EVER!

Finley can laugh now, and Nate and I think it may possibly be the sweetest sound we've ever heard. Finley also loves to stand up. Check him out in this video. You're going to love it. (And we're definitely not biased.)

The Tufted Finley Bird

You may have noticed that Finley has a funny little patch of hair on the back of his head that is longer and darker than the rest. We like to call it his mullet or his rat tail. As Nate was playing with it the other day, and I was threatening to cut it off, we discovered that it also looks like a tuft of feathers on a bird's head. Thus, the new nickname....the Tufted Finley Bird!

Finley is getting a lot stronger these days. He can really hold his head up on his tummy, and he enjoys tummy time much more than he used to.

Sleep?

Finley awake and happy after a nap

Sleep and schedules have been consuming my first 3 weeks as a stay at home mom (or domestic goddess, as I like to call it). The first 4 weeks we were in the States, Finley did great! He magically started sleeping 6-7 hours straight at night. Something happened the last week while we were in the States (the week while Nate was gone to a conference), and Finley started waking up all the time. Then we came back to HK and the jet lag was awful for Finley.

The first week we were back, we just did whatever it took to even get Finley to sleep. We had to resort to using the swing and bouncy seat, but we did eventually get his days and nights back somewhat in order. Last week and this week, I've been trying really hard to get Finley on a somewhat consistent schedule with a solid pre-sleep routine. Apparently our baby doesn't love schedules.

In theory, Finley should be taking 3 naps a day at this age- a short one, long one, and another short one. Yesterday, however, Finley took four short naps, one of which I pretty much spent the whole time trying to get him stay asleep. Today he took a long nap, short, and another long one right now. Not to mention that he may wake up anytime at night between 12-4am and be awake for an hour or just a few minutes. Your guess is as good as mine. He gets up sometime in the morning between 6-8am. Who knows. So how am I supposed to get this baby on a schedule if he won't do it? I can't force him to sleep or eat when he is "supposed" to be. So, I guess I'll just keep encouraging the schedule and see if he eventually gets a little more consistent. I've been logging his schedule so I can at least see if there's any sort of pattern.

The good news is that I was reading on thebump.com that apparently many babies have sleep issues around 4 months because of major physical and emotional development that is going on. So, it's good to know it's not just Finley!

Going for a Swim

We have a great pool at our apartment. We decided to take Finley for his first swim this weekend.

Getting used to the water...

Playing with Dad...


He liked it!

4 Months!

Happy 4 months to Finley! He is officially 1/3 of a year old! Finley went to the doctor on Friday to get vaccinations. He was almost 26 in. long and just over 16 lbs! Other than some dry skin, the doctor was happy with how he's doing.

Here's what Finley has been up to the past couple of weeks.

One day I walked into the room and found Finley doing this to his caterpillar!

Caterpillar attack!

Finley's playdate with Jake, who is 6 days older. This is Jake trying to eat Finley's arm. I'm sure Finley would have done the same thing given the chance.

Finley likes to roll over onto his side from his back. He often sleeps this way.

Rolling is hard work!

Playing on the floor gym. Think he knows he's cute? :)

Finley Talking & Rolling

It's time for another Finley video! Sorry I've been bad about posting videos, but I hope these make up for it.

Finley has become quite the little chatter duck in the past 6 or so weeks. This is a video from when we were in MI of him just talking away.

Here's a much shorter video of Finley rolling over. He rolled over for the first time at 2 months & 1 week, but has been very sporadic about it-- 5 times one day, then nothing for a week, for example. This video was taken in late July at my parents' house.

North Carolina

We had a great visit in NC! The day after we got in, my family had a little "Meet the Baby" party for Finley. We had plenty of yummy food- including NC bbq- and Finley got passed around to everyone. He was super good, and chatted away the whole time while everyone else was talking.

Marcia

Mickey & Sharon

My grandfather, Marilyn & Charlie

The food!

Mom made this cake with an elephant like Finley's nursery. It was very yummy!

My grandparents

Kate

We also had Finley christened while we were in NC. We did it at the church I grew up in, also where Nate and I were married.

(Nice face, Finley)

With the adoring grandmommy

It was my grandparents' birthday while we were home. They have the same exact birthday- crazy, huh?

And more photos with the fam, just hanging out...

Check out Finley in his new Bumbo seat! He looks shocked!

Great trip! So sad to leave, but we'll see you all at Christmas!