oh gosh, i haven’t updated this in over a month.

…i’m not exactly sure why that is. i mean, we’ve been busy and all. we took a trip to dc to visit some friends. there was a bit of chaos at work (when isn’t there?), and then i sort of um…lost my job last week. that’s netted me both more and less free time short-term. it looks like i’m going to end up with more free-time mid-termish. there’s no immediate financial need for me to get another part-time job, and we think that being “job-less” is the best for both charlotte and me right now. when i’m not actively being a mom, i’ll have time to pursue some more personal projects and goals.

but enough about me. that’s what the other blog’s for, right?

charlotte had her 4 month checkup/shots last week. her numbers are:

• height: 24.25 inches (”average”)
• weight: 13lbs 2oz (”between 25 & 50% but closer to 50″)
• head…circumference?: 41cm (”a bit on the big side”)

no “let’s do a weight check in 2 weeks” drama, and my anxiety/irritation over the “she’s so small!” comments is calmed for now. it’s hard to hear that your child is average, or especially below average, even if it has nothing to do with ability or brain power. i know it’s silly, but i can’t help it. her cousin and her cohorts are all “winning” because she’s small. sigh. i’ll get over it.

we also had a bit of a hiccough with her checkup. everything’s perfectly fine, and i’ll put all that in a different post in the next couple of days.

so…all that’s left for this post is the other stats. I haven’t had a chance to get ahead in my “what to expect” reading, so this’ll be a surprise to me as well. i’m only going to list the things that i haven’t mentioned as accomplished in previous posts. and i’m feeling lazy today, so i’m lumping all of the “should, can probably, possibly, may even be able to…” etc together. she’s on target or ahead for everything but the arms-related stuff.

• laugh out loud: i think i’m doing her a disservice by comparing her to the paper-tearing boy. she’s certainly got a chuckle going, but it comes out rarely, still.
• on stomach, raise chest, supported by arms: she arches her back so well that she doesn’t really see the need to use her arms. arm strength/coordination is behind the rest of her physical development, certainly.
• pay attention to an object as small as a raisin: haven’t tested this, but i’m skeptical.
• roll over (one way): she can get onto her side fairly regularly, but not quite over yet. i don’t think she understands that’s the point.
• turn in the direction of a voice: definitely mine. sometimes for others, if she’s not too interested in what’s going on around her.
• say “ah-goo”: getting there. she’s mostly doing squealing, razzing, and gurgling, still.
• sit without support: not yet, but she’s doing pretty good with just a little support on a lap, in a bumbo, or in her jumper.
• object if you try to take a toy away: not a toy, but definitely a bottle/boob if she doesn’t think she was done. she’s also learned that going to her room when the lights are out means nap time, and that greatly displeases her.
• turn in the direction of a voice: i think this means “distinguishes voices from other sounds. in which case, not really i don’t think. maybe a little.