Stats

Emilio at 4 months is:

16 lbs 10z = bigger than 90% of babies his age
27 inches long = longer than 97% of babies his age
really cute = 100% cuter than all babies his age

Four month check-up went really well. Ignacio brought his doctor kit and checked Emilio out before the doctor came in. Ignacio found everything to be in working order and felt it redundant to have to stay for a second opinion but I opted to stick around.

Today as I sat in my living room I had a total "oh my gosh" moment as Ignacio ran around playing in big boy underwear and Emilio was standing in his Exersaucer for the first time playing. I distinctly remember Ignacio at this exact age doing the same thing. It was when I started this blog. Incredible.

Here are some other exciting updates:

Ignacio's new favorite saying is "I need" and he uses it about 100 times a day. Today he "needed" to ride his bike, eat cookies and to have/do a bunch of other things. Ahhh...need versus want...welcome to life.

Ignacio is totally into jumping off EVERYTHING. When crossing the street he has to stop at the curb and wind up as if he is base jumping off some mountain. He bends way down and springs up...only to jump 4 inches down. At the park he goes down the slides but stops just short of sliding off of them only to stand and jump off.

Does anyone know...What is the standard amount of toilet paper needed after using the toilet? Ignacio's opinion seems to be about 1/4th of the roll.

Emilio's pajama feet were wet this morning and for a second I thought my Yanomami toddler had piddled on his little brother but it turns out he just figured out how to get them to his mouth.

Ignacio sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in the backseat for Emilio every time he cries.

Ignacio told me today "Ice cream is very important." I'm not going to argue that one.

Emilio signing on.

Hey...I figured out my mom's password on this thing. It's Emilio and typing when you just found out you even have hands just recently is hard but I will try. This week the funniest thing happened. I was laying in my crib just relaxing when I turned to my side and...all of sudden...I was looking up at my animal mobile. How did I get from my tummy to my back? Freaky! Scared the living daylights out of me. My mom came in and looked over the crib and seemed to think it was the greatest thing ever. I don't know what the big deal is. Oh yea, I have these cute things that look like hands at the bottom of my body. I think they are feet. Well, I can grab them now but can't quite get them in my mouth yet. I get A LOT of attention when I play with them. My mom and dad use the word "cute" a lot when I do it. The other little kid in the house is paying more attention to me. He comes over to me and likes to give me things like a big plastic toy at my head when I am laying in my crib. I think he is funny. I like looking at him. Well, I'm getting tired. I've been up for like 1 hour...I'm exhausted. Ba, ba la la la (that's baby for see you later).

Poop

"Do you have to go poop?" This has been the question ever since I have initiated the "Yanomami technique" for potty training. The Yanomami are an indigenous tribe of Venezuela and the technique goes like this...you take the kid's diaper off. The only two options are 1) Go on yourself or 2) use the potty. Brilliant! I was going to start potty training months ago but was too big and pregnant to stay consistent. Then Emilio was born I was too sick and I was always on the potty to even contemplate teaching Ignacio how to do it. But now, here we are four months later and we know Ignacio knows when he has to go. Step One accomplished. So, for two days he has been running around the house without a diaper on like a Yanomami in the jungle and going pee pee in the toilet all day. Hurray...but not poop. For some reason pooping outside of a diaper is highly anxiety-provoking for him. So today he has been playing around without a diaper on and, as I was nursing Emilio, saw the look in his eyes. He has to go!!! I gently suggested he sit on the potty and not two minutes later he proudly stood up and looked at his poop! YEA!! We went directly to the kitchen where he climbed up on the chair at the table and waited for the BIGGEST ice cream EVER!!!

On a smaller poop note, Emilio finally pooped after 7 days. 3oz of apple juice coupled with a tummy massage and warm bath and "SPLAT"! We were quite relieved. He didn't seem to see what the big deal was. Happy Fourth of July and Happy Pooping!

Hot Potato

Emilio hasn't pooped in five days. According to what we have read this is normal in a breastfed baby and we shouldn't be worried. For now we just have to survive his smelly toots...and let me tell you...they are smelly. Today Ignacio said, "That's gross" and he is RIGHT. Our little smelly baby. Emilio has turned our home into a game of Hot Potato and he is the potato. Angel and I have a silent understanding that if you are holding him when he blows you have to change him. This one is sure to be a doozy. I officially declare "not it" and pass him to Angel and the slightest hint of a grunt. I'm sure when he finally does go it will be at the park when I don't have another diaper or when we are already 15 minutes late getting out of the door. My little smelly (but insanely cute) baby...our little hot potato.

Tired but smiling

Today I almost fell asleep at the dentist. I didn't think it was possible but, there I was 30 seconds from falling into a sweet, deep sleep. The dentist stepped away for a minute and before I knew it, the painting on the wall in front of me began to blur. Who knew that a reclined, cushy chair and one hour by yourself would provoke such slumber? Welcome to motherhood! I also woke up today to find that Emilio is finding his voice. He now has this bat-like high pitched squeel he does when excited. He now enjoys playing with a toy, is no longer content to just lay on the floor and prefers to be upright whenever possible. Did I mention he is adorable? And Ignacio is just getting bigger and bigger. He says hilarious things all day long, makes me laugh so hard I cry like today, and is learning so fast I can hardly keep up. Angel and I lay on the couch when the house is quiet every night and talk about how much we just love our kids. Well, I have no dentist appointments tomorrow so I should go to bed, only to wake up to my beautiful, chaotic family all over again tomorrow.

Emilio..what can I say?

Look at me! I can hold my head up high and drool all at the same time!

Great Grandma...pretty soon I'll be riding bareback!

Smiley boy!

Emilio is the center of attention with is cousins and brother. They all had to be by him all the time and waiting to hold him. Next summer he will be right on their heels!

BIG brother and Emilio. When Emilio cries in his car seat Ignacio says, "It's okay. I'll keep you safe." So cute. Although, the other day when we went to the zoo he suggested we leave Emilio home alone. Not such a good idea.

Emilio's Baptism

So much love for our little one on the day of his baptism!!

At the party afterwards. Emilio is almost able to sit up assisted. He is also in a major love affair with his hands.

Both Ama and Emilio were pretty hot! The baptismal gown is from Venezuela and the same one that Ignacio used. Great Grandma would appreciate it because he had on the bonnet, the skirt and the outfit! Very traditional!

Emilio with his three godparents. We couldn't ask for better examples for him and are so blessed to have these three human beings in his life.