Four Months

Dear Anna - Last week I was writing the date and it occurred to me that four months ago, you had just been born. Even since your mom wrote in December, you've grown and learned so much: like now you can roll over! We put you down on the bed one day and before we had time to think about it, you ever-so-nonchalantly flipped up on to your side and over. It was like you had been practicing in secret just waiting for the moment to debut your new skill. We were amazed; well done!


Your first Christmas holiday held lots of memorable events. Uncle Luke was able to get time off from the Air Force and flew home to spend three weeks at Grandma and Grandpa's house. When he first held you, it was at arm's length with the mildly-panicked and fascinated what-if-she-breaks-or-worse-yet-poops face, but in no time he was holding you up and moving you around and you were smiling right back at him.

Our trip to Houghton yielded more introductions: Barb and Jon Arensen. Aunt Barb took to you right away, and even Uncle Jon asked to hold you, though with the caveat that if you started to poop he would "chuck" you back to us. Thankfully you heeded his warning and he happily held you without incident.


Mom took you in to see the doctor for your second round of vaccinations. You were exceedingly happy to meet the doctor and sat in Mom's arms cooing warmly. As that needle plunged into your thigh, Mom says your face immediately changed. "How could you DO that to me?!" your teary eyes begged. And speaking of teary eyes, there's something else that's new - your eyes actually tear up when you cry (which is not all that often to be honest). After that visit, the doctor was so impressed with your growth, he said that we can start feeding you SOLID foods, though we think that we may delay that until after you return from your big trip to Taiwan and the Philippines, because that will make it much easier to travel with you! We applied for and received your passport this month, confirming that you will be making your first international journey outside the womb to go visit Ankong, Lola, and all the rest of the Brions and Lao(hoo)s in March. I took your passport photo myself while you were lying on the bed.

Grandma and Grandpa were just here visiting this afternoon. They get to see you every week or two, either when we visit them or they come here to see you. Today you were a little bit out of sorts, since your nose is all stuffy and you didn’t sleep well last night, but I know that Grandma and Grandpa love every minute that they get to spend with you, even when you’re not happy. Grandpa is still hoping that he is your first word.

I like to rough-house with you. We have a couple of tricks: sometimes I hold you up over my head with one hand like you’re an airplane flying around and other times I hold you upright in the palm of one hand, then I slowly let you fall down and backwards before catching you and nuzzling your belly. You LOVE that.

Your mom and I have noticed that when you are content, sometimes the easiest way to make you squeal with glee is to squeeze and hold you tightly next to us while pretending to nibble on your ears, toes, or other exposed extremities. And sometimes we whisper one of our favorite lines from Where the Wild Things Are, "I'll eat you up, I love you so!"