Rhett Kauffman: 4 Months Old

I feel like I just wrote one of these.  Oh, right, because I did!   I was incredibly late on your last monthly update and I'm trying oh-so hard not to let that happen again!  So here we go - four months.  One-third of the way to one.  You are growing before our eyes.  Though I don't know how much you weigh (4-month appointment is next week), you seem so much bigger!  I still think you're a little guy for your age, but you are growing nonetheless, there's no doubt about it.  And even though you're four months into this life of yours, I still look at you as my near-newborn.  I feel like each of my babies have aged slower than the last, though the time goes faster.  Does that even make sense?  Probably not, but I definitely remember feeling similar things with Holden.

You seem to be getting a little fussier in your "old" age.  We can't hardly leave you alone in a room anymore.  The minute you realize there's no one to entertain you, you act out.  You often join us at the dinner table and demand we hold you more often than not.  Daddy isn't fond of your constant need for attention, and I can't say as if I always am either, but the moment I get frustrated, I remind myself that you are our last and suddenly, all of the frustrations melt away.  And despite your extra fussiness, you are still a great baby - and we are so lucky to have you!

I believe four months is when our pediatrician recommends rice cereal - I can't believe that time has already come!  I'm waiting for the go-ahead at your appointment next week, but I look forward to that next step!  Meanwhile, you are still doing great on your formula diet, minus the pooping part.  Your poor belly seems so uncomfortable at times and you only poop every few days - a far cry from your brothers!  Feeding you can be a big pain in the booty, too.  You squirm and turn your head away like it's your job.  But the moment we take away the bottle, you throw a huge fit.  At first, I thought you were just distracted by everything around you, then I thought maybe you had a sore throat, then I thought the nipples were bad.  But I've ruled out each of those options and now I don't know what to think, especially because it's not at every feeding.  Again, I remind myself that you are our last and as annoying as it can be, someday I'll wish for a little baby to bottle feed once again, turning head and all!

Sleep is still going well!  I've heard about that 4-month sleep regression, but so far, it hasn't affected us.  Knock on wood.  Naps are still a bit of a mess--very inconsistent--but I assume that's the norm for a third child who must adjust to everyone else's schedule.  I have noticed that you're not falling asleep as often on the 25 minute drive home from daycare each afternoon, but then you get so tired by evening's end.  It usually makes bedtime easy peasy, but can make for quite a few moments of fussiness before that.

The biggest update from this past month - you rolled over!  But not from belly to back like a normal baby typically does first; nope, you rolled from back to belly!  I didn't believe your dad when he informed me of this (or I thought it was a fluke) until the next day when I left you on your back and came back 30 seconds later to find you on your belly!  And then we watched you with our own eyes again and again!  We immediately stopped swaddling you at bedtime, though we have yet to find you sleeping on your belly.

It's been another fabulous month!  Four months into this zone defense thing and I can't imagine it any other way.  Love you, Rhetti!

4 Months of Rhett

Size: Will update after your appointment next week!

Words: Lots of raspberries and babbles.

Activity: Time in the Bumbo and other baby seat, time under your play gym, lots of being held.

Food: 5 ounces five to six times per day.

Sleep: 10 to 11 hours overnight.

Bedtime/Waketime: Bedtime around 7pm and you typically wake around 6am.

Hair: Still not a ton, but it's growing.  You have more than Brantley had at this age, but less than Holden.  The color is blondish-reddish.

Eyes: Blue

Teeth: None.  You have been constantly chewing on your fingers, but no other signs of sprouting a tooth.

Wardrobe: Some 0-3 months, some 3-6 months.

Diapers: Size 1s, but will probably switch to 2s once we're through this current box.

Likes: Your paci, car rides, sleeping, being held, being talked to, chewing on your fingers, your mama, observing everything around you.

Dislikes: Being hungry, being tired, being left alone.

Mommy Update: The postpartum hair loss began right before you turned four months.  Ugh.  But I'm pretty much down to my normal weight again so I'll gladly take the hair loss.

Mommy's Fave - As much as I cringe when you wake up early on weekends, I love feeding you while sipping my coffee in the peace and quiet of the early morning hours.  I love that it's my special time with you and you only and *almost* makes up for all the time I spend away from you during the weekdays.



  1. The time going fast but the age going slow, totally seeing that =) I think Lincoln was slow to start but he is quickly turning into my little chunk. He's almost out of 3-6 clothes now. And, the hair loss is such a pain in the buns. It makes washing my hair take at least three times as long because I'm just pulling out handfuls of hair. I don't remember losing any with Aria.
    And when you said one third of the way to one I about died. I didn't even realize. How is this happening so fast!

  2. I'm sorry to hear he's kind of fussy! He's still super adorable!

  3. Happy 4 months Rhett! I am not sure how that happened so fast. Time needs to slow down! I adore all of these pictures. And Mama, you look so good!

  4. This: "each of my babies has aged slower than the last, though the time goes faster." YES. I still look at Julia like she's a baby - and clearly she's not.
    I think Rhett is looking more and more like you!
    And YAY for good sleeping at night!! I've got fingers and toes crossed that the 4-month regression doesn't hit you at all!

  5. OMG! Those sunglasses. I die. I love it! Seriously he is the happiest baby ever and I love his sweet smile.
    Happy FOUR months, sweet Rhett!

  6. I can't believe he's four months old already! Such a cutie!