Here we are, officially fall. The air has a crispness to it, and the garden is finished for the season. Henry is 4 months old. Sam has returned to work, and I have returned to school and clinical. It seems like we have been in a month of transition, along with the transition of seasons. Month 3: Henry progressively got stronger, more coordinated, and more vocal this month. He got really good at holding his head up without being so wobbly. He began to get the whole open-handed grasp thing down. He actually found his hand, and it rarely left his mouth. He still loves to kick his piano, but he developed the vocals to create a rich melodic accompaniment. He must have gotten that from his dad because I have sure never developed the musical inclination. I do enjoy listening to it though, especially him. It is the most beautiful music I have ever heard.
Month 4:
This month brought bigger changes for Henry. He found his feet, developed more core strength, and became much more aware of his surroundings. He is also at the beginnings of making a few consonant sounds. He is starting to close his lips and let air escape for a /p/ sound. This is called a plosive, bilabial for those overflowing with curiosity. He also definitely has the raspberry down with lots of drool bubbles to show for it. Speaking of his mouth, he has much more coordination in getting his toys there. He can, without missing, bring a toy to his mouth with both hands, holding it there for a length of time is a little more challenging though. He was really working on getting his pacifier in his mouth before he decided that he didn't really want to take it anymore except when going to sleep. He decided that on his own. Perhaps he is going to be an independent little guy. I was as a young one. 
With the discovery of his feet, he has been able to really work on his core strength which has allowed him to start rolling over onto his side. He hasn't made it all the way over yet, but I am sure that will come soon enough. With the ability to rolling over, we will have to say bye-bye swaddle which we are hesitant to do because it does seem to help him sleep more soundly as he still seems to be startling himself awake. Already, he has become much more wiggly, scooting himself around his crib. This month he has been able to utilize some of his toys that help him to sit up: exersaucer and Bumbo seat. His legs, however, are a little too big for his Bumbo seat which didn't allow us to get a whole lot of use out of it. Big, though, with muscle! He can pull up to standing from a laying down position and hold himself up pretty steadily. He may skip crawling as he doesn't really like to be on his belly and go straight to walking. That is what I did, but I am not ready for him to be mobile just yet and neither is our house. 
His sleep has been a little crazy this month. He hit a three month
growth spurt about a week after he turned three months. He didn't want
to nap, and he became much more difficult to put down at night, not to
mention he wanted to nurse all the time. We are torn about the cry it out method as he still seems to need to nurse sometimes at night. He occasionally gives us a 10-12 hour night without waking up, which is great, but if he needs to eat or have a little more mommy time, I don't mind getting up once with him in the night. I have to get up to pump anyways.He has really developed a personality this month. Smiling and laughing at things and people he that he genuinely finds funny or satisfying. He has the sweetest little laugh when he gets rolling. He also likes to really belt out the noises when Sam plays the guitar. Do I see a family band in the future? Maybe I could dance...
He definitely notices when he is left alone now, especially when mommy leaves the room, and he is beginning to make the connection between people he knows and doesn't know. He also seems to know when he is in public and that it is time to put on a show (smiling, making noises). We think he is going to be a schmooze and ladies man. He was definitely hollerin' at a shorty at Cracker Barrel the other evening.
I could go on an on about Henry. He has become so dynamic, and it is difficult, impossible even, to paint a complete picture. He keeps us on our toes and surprises us with new noises and abilities daily. My newest favorite thing he does is put his arms across my chest when I am holding him facing in; it is almost like he is giving me a hug. Extra cuddles are much needed when the weather starts to cool down!
Returning to a full semester of school has been a little hard for me. Luckily, this semester isn't as heavy as it has been in the past. I am only taking 3 classes: AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), Master's Project (which is an independent study), and my clinical practicum (which is only 3 hours a week). My clinical placement this semester is at a Head Start program where I serve preschoolers. Most of what I do is language based and in a natural environment. I am working on social communication with some kiddos (turn taking, topic maintenance, etc.), using language whether it be verbal, signs, or pictures (a few are nonverbal but can imitate), and some articulation (how they say their sounds isn't as important when they aren't using words- the goal is just to get them to communicate). There are two kids with down syndrome, one with cerebral palsy, and one with autism. The other two are English second language learners. I enjoy working with this age; they are super cute and fun. It is mostly play-based, meaning I go into their classroom during center time and join them in their play.
Although I am only taking three classes, my time seems to be very chopped up with commuting and clinic, and it makes it hard to get anything done. I stay late sometimes on Tuesday and Thursday to work on my Master's Project. I have gathered all the research, and I will begin writing it this week. It is due October 17th, but I hope to finish it beforehand and have that stress lifted. I don't operate well knowing there is something to be done or something unfinished. I like all the ends tied up in pretty little bows. After I turn in the paper, I will present it to an audience and panel of 2 professors in November. 
With my return to school, I had to leave Henry. While I know he is in good hands with grandmas, it was still difficult. I get to be home most of the day on Monday and Wednesday and all day on Friday, so I am thankful for that time. Tuesday and Thursday schedules take me away for a little longer because I have to commute to Cullowhee. Being away from Henry has thrown some wrenches in nursing. I have to pump while I am away, but the pump is not as efficient as him. My body produces milk on an as needed basis, so if I am not pumping as much as he actually eats, my body will only produce that much milk which wasn't leaving very much to store up for when I am away. I was running a little close for a couple of weeks, but I think I have my supply back up and have a good store of milk in the refrigerator for when I am away. It is hard to believe I am almost half way through the semester. I will not miss pumping! It is inconvenient, but I guess it affords me some freedom and allows Henry to continue to get breast milk.
Dear Henry,
Well, first off, thanks for not pooping/peeing on me lately. You've grown a lot and become more aware of the world, which has made life interesting.
A few highlights:
8/10: Made Henry laugh with slurping noise.
8/18: Henry made pterodactyl noise.
9/3: Henry enjoyed reading of the nursery rhyme "Carrion Crow" from Mother Goose.
9/7: Listened to rain on the back porch.
9/8: Henry laughing at me when I got home.
9/13: MASSIVE poop while at Wicked Weed restaurant.
9/14: Henry fell asleep while I played him guitar. Later that day, we listened to Unwed Sailor and hung out in the living room. Very relaxing.
9/17: Made Henry laugh rocking out on the guitar.
9/23: Watched a great sunset.
9/24: Made Henry laugh with Donald Duck noises.
9/26: Henry reached for me.
I try to play the guitar for you every day. I usually stick to these songs, but am working on a few more:
"Jesse James"
"Streets of Laredo"
"Darlin' Corey"
"B'ile them Cabbage Down"
We also go look at the chickens at least once a day. The other day, your Mom got a little upset with me because since you didn't have your socks on, I let you put your feet on the grass. You seemed to really enjoy rubbing the grass and the dirt, and I guess your feet got pretty dirty. I tried to explain that that's just what boys do.
I'm not sure what we are going to do for our afternoon walks now that it's gotten colder. There's only so much room to walk around in the house, and no chickens to see inside.
I think back to the night you were born. You were just totally in shock and crying, as your mother and I were, also. You just had no idea what the world was, and now, you seem to have a better idea and just laugh and laugh and smile and smile, as your mother and I do, also.
That's about all to report. It's been amazing watching you slowly become more aware of yourself and the world. I love you very much and think about you all the time.
Love,
Dad
