Charlie - 4 Months

Charlie turned four months old on April 15.  On the one hand it's gone by so fast, but on the other so much has happened that I can't believe it's only been four months.  I always thought my life would change when I had a kid and it has.  Here's what's been going on: 

• Charlie's 4 month check up went great. He's still at about the 50% on all measurements and he is very healthy. This examination highlights the differences between Nilda and me. When the female pediatrician was checking out Charlie's belly and pelvis, Nilda was concerned that the doctor would find a mass of some sort.  I looked at the same scene and saw Charlie's face saying, "Ooh, it's a lady."
• We have a part-time nanny to help out, who is wonderful. Nilda, out of respect, calls her "Mary Fucking Poppins." 
• Charlie has started this new high-pitched sound when he's happy. He wakes up and skwaks while smiling and laughing, waiting to be fed. We call it the Baby Eagle.
• Charlie loves being around people, especially his cousins.  He loves being the center of attention.  Really?  Nilda's kid?  Never would have thought of it.
• Charlie is very happy that Deadliest Catch is back.
• Now that Charlie is 4 months old, he can play with a whole bunch of new toys like the exersaucer and can go on the swings. Ironically, this excites Mommy waaay more than it excites Charlie.
• We can start solid foods soon. This means we can expect a bigger mess and stinky poops. Nilda's excited because she can finally use those adorable little spoons we got. I promise to take many pictures and force you all to look at them on facebook.
• We frequently talk about how much our life has changed. If we're not in bed by 10:00 pm, we're late. The idea of needing an alarm clock is literally a joke.
• We're trying to find music to play for Charlie, but most of it is horrendously annoying.  We're desperately trying to stay away from the hell that is Barney for as long as we can, but we know it's out there.  We know.
• Charlie sleeps more than any human reasonably should.  He's down at about 7:00 pm and sleeps until about 7:00 am, with one night feeding at around 2:00 or 3:00 am.  The doctor told us that if we feed him more during the day, then the night feedings should end.  I can't believe that such a remarkable possibility exists.
• Charlie loves the bath because he gets to pee as much as he wants.
• No matter how upset or tired he is, Charlie will smile if you put a burp cloth in his mouth.
• People say he's starting to look like Nilda now. Forget what he looks like, he is his mother, down to his cold clammy feet, his one wacky eyebrow, his monkey toes, the fact that he drools when he sleeps, his monkey toes, and the fact that he hates loud noises, has absolutely no stamina and wakes up cranky but after five minutes wants to talk talk talk.  Even his two hairs are curly like Nilda's.
• I refuse to smell Charlie's butt to see if he pooped. This has somehow become Nilda's new favorite pastime. 
• Now that it's getting warm out we can start taking Charlie outside more.  Damn, our kid is white.
• It's great living in Inwood because there are so many kids in the neighborhood. But they're separated by age. Surprisingly, parents of a nine-month-old don't have so much in common with noob parents of a four-month-old.
• I've been walking with Charlie through the park, pushing the stroller to the limits of its warranty. I like talking to Charlie because he's such a good listener.
• Charlie is going to start a blog called "Mommy > Daddy."
• Charlie has become deceptively mobile in the crib.  He's like one of those starfish on Frozen Planet.
• We've learned that since Charlie HATES being in the car seat when it's not moving, I have to trick him by driving around the parking lot while Nilda runs whatever errand she's on.  Once he realizes the lie, I bring him into the front seat where we listen to the radio.  He's a big fan of Poker Face.
• In many ways, my life is very similar to what it was.  As long as I've got alcohol, everything will be okay.

On another exciting note, Charlie isn't the youngest member of the family anymore!  Cousins Lisa and Jason and new big brother Max welcomed Eva Maren into the world today!  We can't wait to meet her.  Charlie's so excited that he can barely keep the saliva in his mouth.  No, he's not teething, he just loves eating his hands.