I can’t believe we’re already at 4 months! It feels like I was just writing the 3 Month Update… I say it every say, but time truly does fly.

Them

Charlotte is still such a little angel, but she has found her voice and isn’t afraid to use it! This month she’s been crying almost every time we’re in the car, and it’s exhausting. It’s also really stressful for Ben 🙁 I must have the only baby that doesn’t like car rides! I think she got used to having me next to her in the car when we were on vacation. So lately I feel like I’m trying to get her back into routines.

We are still co-sleeping, and it works so well for us. Mike and I don’t really even discuss it, like we used to with Ben. She does spend part of the night in her DockATot , but she’s technically still in our bed so she’s close by. She has been waking up 3x per night for about the past three weeks and it’s so exhausting! I remember going through this with Ben at the same age, so I’m just waiting for it to pass.

We’ve been keeping busy with play dates and running errands. Every morning, Ben wakes up and asks, “Mommy, what are we going to do today?” So that really forces me to get us all out of the house!

Charlotte in a nutshell:

• nursing every 3 hours, even at night
• cat naps throughout the day but sleeps from 9pm-8am (waking only to nurse)
• smiling and trying to grab everything in sight
• getting a bunch of fuzzy hair in and looking oh-so-cute
• tracking me around the house (she’s a mama’s girl!)
• screams on car rides
• LOVES her brother and is fascinated by him
• kicking her legs in the bathtub and splashing
• having blowouts 3-4 times/week- I am SO ready for that phase to be done
• loves the wind and smiles and laughs when she feels it
• getting chubbier every day!

Me

Being a parent the second time around has brought so much peace and confidence for me. There are still freak-out moments of course, but decisions are made much more easily and I don’t spend as much time worrying if I’m doing it the “right” way. I wish all mamas could feel that way the first time around, instead of anxious and self-conscious!

I haven’t been getting much sleep for weeks now, and that’s been tough. I’m back to coffee in the morning and afternoon and it’s pretty much a requirement to get me through! I’m tired, but I also don’t spend time worrying or trying to “fix” my baby. Sometimes it’s just babies being babies, and I’m not going to waste my brainpower on things I can’t change. I’m telling you, I’m much wiser this time around!

We also made the big decision for me to return to work at the beginning of this next school year. I was really hoping to work part-time, but the universe and God must have had another plan because things kept happening that pointed me towards staying. I’m so excited to continue working at my amazing school and planning to make the most of the next year. I’m sure it will be tough but I’m lucky to have an amazing support group. And I’m planning to enjoy my time off this summer!