Dear Syed Brian (vol. 1 iss. 4)

To commemorate your four-month milestone, your father and I took you to the doctor for your check up. You were a happy, social little guy right up until it was time for your immunizations. So, I held your arms down while a medical assistant administered the vaccinations. You were so mad that you turned red! And I mean really red! You then looked at me as if I was the most horrible person to ever walk the face of the earth as a single tear ran down your cheek. But the single tear soon had company as a full flood of tears followed along with screams that emptied the waiting room. But not to worry, I didn’t feel too guilty…I just got on an airplane and left you with your dad. Trust me, I’m not being cold hearted – immunizations are for your own good and everyone else’s.

Over the past month, you found your personality to an even greater degree. You love to smile and even laugh once in a while. In fact, you laughed for the first time a week or so ago. It caught you, your dad, and me by surprise. None of us expected it but we are glad that we heard it. You were fascinated by this new type of sound that was coming out of your mouth. Unfortunately, you haven’t been able to replicate it as frequently as your dad and I would like. But we know that it’s in there…it’s just a matter of finding out what is funny enough to make you giggle. You continue to work on talking, too. If you talk as much as you coo, we’re going to have to answer about 2,483 questions per day in my estimation. And we’ll look forward to answering each one to your complete satisfaction (or not).

You have also found the greatest toy in the world: your hands! Yes, those things with five fingers at the end of your arms are apparently quite entertaining…and tasty. You spend significant amounts of time grasping your hands together and chewing on your fists. Some babies suck on one finger or thumb…not you. You prefer the entire hand. But you do more than chew on your hand – you also use them to play with rattles and other types of toys. This newfound ability to hold things with your hands has only served as reassurance to Simon and Charlie that one day you will actually serve some sort of purpose for them. For Simon, of course, it is throwing his toys whereas Charlie is desperately hoping for food to be dropped from your high chair.

No longer does your head bob around and almost fall off your neck. Yes, you have figured out how to hold your head steady, turn it from side to side, and nod up and down. While all babies learn how to do it, you have managed to do it with a cranium that accounts for approximately 91.84% of your total surface area. You see, your head size is only continuing to grow. It is now well above the 100th percentile for circumference and requires you to wear hats that are at least size 12-18 months. We’re hoping that the rest of your body catches up, eventually. If not, we’ll just be sure to always purchase vehicles with ample headroom.

In all seriousness, you’ve become a lot more fun to be around. You’re sleeping through the night about 75% of the time and this makes for a much happier mom and dad so that could also contribute to us thinking you’re more fun. You continue to change on a daily basis and teach us something new every day. For example, we had no idea just how interesting ceiling fans were until we rediscovered them through your eyes. So, thank you for allowing us to see things with new perspectives. I have a much greater appreciation for the little things such as the utility of an opposable thumb, the way a breeze feels when it brushes against your face, and the way Simon and Charlie feel when your hand touches them. As always, we love you, buddy (even when I hold you down and allow needles to pierce your quadriceps). Until next month…

Love,
Mom