Eric Anthony is Four Months Old (18 Weeks)!

Four months seems to be a somewhat magical age for Eric.  A couple of days before he turned 4 months old, he stopped spitting up as much and he stopped crying uncontrollably every night.  It's amazing!

Another thing that we have noticed about Eric is that he's very smiley.  He has a way of focusing on one person and smiling at him or her like he or she is the only person in the room.  He stares very intently at the person and then gives them a huge smile.  It is such a cute and likeable trait.

Here are the other things that Eric is able to do now:

• Usually sleeps for 6 hours at night
• Rolls over (and over and over) and back
• Sits with support
• Lifts head up 90 degrees
• Can follow a moving object for a 180-degree arc
• Babbles and amuses self with new noises
• Explores objects with his mouth
• Communicates pain, fear, loneliness, anger, and discomfort through crying
• Responds to rattles and bells
• Pays attention to small objects
• Can see across the room
• Keeps head level when pulled to sitting position
• Reaches for and grabs objects
• Copies some facial expressions
• Turns in the direction of a voice
• Tries to get up on knees to crawl
• Scoots a little bit
• Stands with minimal support

We like to say that Eric is our athlete.  The doctor has made several comments about how strong he is for his age.  He loves to be held and to take walks.  He's very ticklish!  He also likes to play on his baby gym and his Exersaucer.  He's still a pretty good sleeper, but it tends to be an every-other-day thing.  Since he took good naps yesterday, he's up a lot today.  Tomorrow he will probably take good naps again.  He is such a loveable little boy, and we're glad his stomach seems to be feeling a little better.  :-)

Here is Eric Anthony at 4 months old: