Rosy Gold Bebe: Penelope's Development

Pippa is about near her 4 month mark, 16 weeks, going on 17. I thought I'd update on how she's developing. At her last Pediatrician appointment (3 weeks ago), Penelope's growth was at 40 percentile. She weighed 11 lbs, 15 oz.

My lil Pipp coos & "talks" to us & her toys. She gets excited to play with her dangling toys on her development play mat. She literally screeches when I put the play mat on the ground. : ) She just rolled over from her back to her belly 5 times in a row, the other night. She snuggles with me during her feedings by hugging my breast with her hands, looking into my eyes with occasional smiles, & grips my shirt. She loves to play with her development owl toy, she screeches & waves her hands around, while holding the toy's wings, which crinkle. Also loves gripping her rattles and waving them around & gripping Sophie the Giraffe while she squeaks and puts her in her mouth. She has begun laughing on occasion. So cute, hahahaha!! She already enjoys watching cartoons & her favorites seem to be Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, Mickey Mouse, Peppa Pig, & The Fairly Odd Parents. Pipps will sit & watch cartoons maybe once a day for about 30-45 minutes. She waves her hands around, while cooing at the tv. This is a great time for me to get dinner ready or do some household chores. She hates Lalaloopsy, literally cries at the sight of the dark button eyed characters. hahaha, they are a little creepy looking.

Penelope has been sleeping through the night & in her own crib. We put her to bed on one side of the crib & winds up horizontal on the opposite side. We've eliminated swaddling. Nor do we use bumpers, as she often ends up sleeping on her side and putting her legs through the crib bars. During nap & bedtime we play Rockabye Baby Lullaby Renditions, which seems to help her sleep. Her naps are a sturdy routine of up 2 hours & down one hour, while going to bed around 7/8pm & waking at 7/8am, and having a morning nap of 2 hours. Sometimes in the morning, I bring her to bed with me and nurse her, she seems to really enjoy this, especially when Jay is home & she's snuggled between us. During her diaper changes, she enjoys when I ask, "What's in that dirty diaper?" In my "silly" voice. Before she gets changed, I kiss her feet which prompts her to curl her toes on my lips, kiss her belly & legs. I even kiss her face like crazy. She began grabbing her toes recently too. I love this time as much as she does.

She arches her back, which drives me slightly nuts but know it's part of her developing. Reaches for us when she wants to picked up or held by a specific person. She rolls over much more now & loves tummy time with her mirror in front of her. Even in the changing table she rocks to her side, getting close to the edge. She's even reaching for the toys attached to her mirror. We've begun small increments of time sitting in her Bumbo chair. She really enjoys standing while we hold her & likes to sit up, in our laps. She loves story & bath time. I read her a book at least once a day, usually once during the day before a nap & a couple before bedtime. She bats at the book & coos as I read to her. Some of her favorite books are Vamirpina Ballerina, Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Chicago, Bear Snores On, and so many more. During bath time Penelope likes batting at her rubber duck and bounces up and down, splashing water around. She enjoys bath squirters being squirted on her belly, legs, arms, & toes. Our strolls to the grocery store or neighborhood shops are always enjoyed, as she will look around at everything and everyone. We do have a pretty solid routine and she seems to really enjoy it. If we do something out of the ordinary (which is often), she gets thrown off but to be expected. It's important to us that she gets used to being around people, in restaurants, and what not.

I love watching Penelope develop & change. It's a blessing to be home with her and I cherish everyday as much as possible.