Quadruple!

Christopher is officially quadruple his birth weight and we are very proud of him. He weiged 10.01 lbs when we weighed him on Saturday. Way to go, Bud! He enjoyed his weekend with Granpa and Gramma Sobota, and so did Daddy and Mommy because they got to go on a date. Nice! =)

He's really enjoying his swing now, and starting to watch and talk to these animals too. It's cute, because he will fight so hard to stay awake and watch them as seen in this picture...






















...but he always gives in eventually.






















At least now he fits in his swing a little bit better. The picture below was taken on November 23. Look at the green headrest way above his head in this picture compared to where it is in the other pictures in this post. And in this picture...no feet...but as you can see in the first picture, they now fit around the green post. Thank you, Jesus, for our growing, healthy little boy!

Rice Cereal

Christopher has now tried rice cereal two nights in a row. The first night we had it pretty thin according to the instructions on the box for Baby's first feeding...and I think he was jut getting frustrated because he wasn't getting much at a time. It was pretty watery. Last night, he ate about 1 tablespoon full after we made it a little thicker. I'm not quite sure if he's ready for this or not - he seemed to enjoy eating it - it just seemed hard for him to swallow. But I guess that's something he has to learn since he's never eaten anything besides milk before now. His face was pretty messy by the end - what an adorable site. If you haven't guessed by now, we really love our son! =)

4 Months

Christopher is officially 4 months old today. It's hard to believe we've been parents for that long already. Christopher and I just got back from his 4-month checkup at the pediatrician's office. He's doing great. He is right on target for a preemie, and just below 'normal' on the growth chart for full term 4 month old babies. PTL!!! The doctor said if he keeps growing at this rate, he'll catch up to kids his age sooner than a lot of preemies do. Thank you for all your prayers - they're working! =) Developmentally, he's doing all the things he should for his adjusted age of 1 1/2 months, and is ahead of schedule doing a couple things that 4 month olds do, like rolling over. Thank the Lord for His continued blessings - our little miracle is rapidly growing into a big one. He is 9 lbs 10 oz. - 6 more oz. to go and he'll be x4 his birth weight. Amazing. He also received 4 shots this morning - no fun. Poor baby. Hopefully he won't be too miserable and fussy from those. The last big news is that he gets to try cereal tonight...we'll see if he's interested in it or not...and let you all know.

~Rachel

The blessing of a mobile

Hello, Friends. Greetings from the finally cold Kentucky. Andy's been praying for cold and snow all winter. Still no snow, at least not on the ground, but it is cold!

We're all doing well. Andy's busy with work and planning for his 'man campout' this coming weekend. He and 8 other friends are going camping Friday - Sunday: crazy?!? Yeah, I know. Christopher and I are looking forward to a warm weekend at home with some of my girlfriends, Mama, and my sisters.

I'm busy around the house...it's amazing how long it takes to get anything done with a baby. How our moms did it with 4, we have yet to find out! My application for my RN license is completed and I'm just waiting on approval to take my boards. Hopefully that will come soon.

Christopher is great! He is now 9 lbs. 2 oz. - a fast growing little boy.
He likes to snuggle with Daddy on the couch while Daddy watched TV or works. If Chirstopher is awake, sometimes he'll look at the TV too.
















He's gone from screaming during diaper changes, to smiling and cooing, all thanks to his animal mobile. Thank the Lord for mobiles! =) He loves to look at it and will spend quite awhile in his crib just talking to the animals. Last night, it almost sounded like he laughed at them.
















Lying...
















...or sitting...






















...always smiling as long as the animals are singing and spinning.

Smiles

Just showing off my smile (this is more like a half smile - Mommy will try to get a better picture so you can really see me smile). If I'm fed, dry, and not sleepy, I'm a very happy little boy who loves to smile at Daddy and Mommy.

Cord Free!

Twenty-four hours have now gone by since Christopher last had his apnea monitor on. Last night was the first night during his young life that he wasn't "monitored." Praise the Lord for yet another miracle!!!!! Yesterday when I told Christohper the doctor said he no longer needed to wear his monitor, he smiled.

He has just learned in the past couple days how to smile spontaneously. We think he's a morning person, because he smiles a lot in the morning and not much in the evening.

Our little man now weighs 8 lbs 9.5 oz....he was 2 oz shy of gaining a whole pound in one week! Yikes!

I'll try to post pictures soon...blogger is having problems right now and pictures aren't working.