"Some people tell me everything isn't black and white. But I say why the hell not?" - John Wayne

January 23rd: Duke had his 4 month check-up yesterday, which he handled very well. He is up to 9 lb 9 oz and 22 1/2". Dr. Schneider said he was doing very well for a baby who was 4 months old and his motor skills were those of a 4 month old rather than a premeie who wasn't even 3 months old yet gestationally.  The great thing is Duke is a smiling and laughing fool now. He is a very smiley baby in the morning and is a big fan of clapping. He also get the biggest smile when you play/ mohawk his hair.

"I want to play a real man in all my films, and I define manhood simply: men should be tough, fair, and courageous, never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either." -John Wayne

September19th: My new chair.....

"I would like to be remembered, well . . . the Mexicans have a phrase, "Feo fuerte y formal". Which means he was ugly, strong and had dignity."- John Wayne

January 15, 2011: Duke has a sense of humor finally. Last weekend his ticklish spot was found and exploited, making him laugh like crazy. Since then he has been cracking smiles more. His smile is like a little treasure when you see it you just stare and smile as big as you can. He has also gotten a snarl, which he uses to let you know he is about to throw a fit.

     Duke loves spending time just kicking it. He reacts to music and likes to catch his football rattle.

     He is such a good baby I can't handle it! He just moves like crazy and is getting to be better with his rolling. Side to back is never a problem and he is going back to belly more frequently. We tried him in a swing, which he did fine with for about 10 minutes.....then was done quickly. He likes his lamb chair  and when the vibrations stop he has the funnies face (he's like "What... what happened? Why did it stop?").

     Duke is 4 months tomorrow. He is still not even 3 months gestationally, but he is in 3 month old clothes, he is doing better with keeping his head up, he is super alert, and is up to 3 1/2 ounces for his feeds. He is fairly consistant with sleeping from 9pm-5am (which I appreciate). The only thing he is missing that a 4 month old will do is batting at his mobiles (he stares at them and talks to them, but he's not batting at them yet....though he does kick up a lot). They say babies also start to show preferance, but Duke has been showing his preferance for adults....his PopRock. When my dad enters a room his head goes right for his voice, it's giving Grammy a complex.

"Screw ambiguity. Perversion and corruption masquerade as ambiguity. I don't trust ambiguity." -John Wayne

January 1, 2011: Happy New Year From Duke!!! Duke spend New year's eve with a photo shoot with mommy. He did very well with the photographer, but the SECOND we were done taking pictures he started smiling (little punk!). The pictures are adorable and his eyes are beautiful. What cracks me up is his eyes are still blue. The doctor says his eyes will be determined by 6 months, but at 3 1/2 months he still has dark blue eyes.

(You can see how long he has gotten)

      Duke's new years resolution is to walk. Now my dad says of course he's going to do that, but knowing Duke if I give him a goal he is going to exceed the goal by months as he has with his bottle feedings and rolling.

       Duke is taking less naps during the day and is a lot more active. Since I have been home for the holiday breaks we have been spending a lot of time doing fun floor time things, walks and visiting people. Duke got to meet my elementary Sunday School teacher and her husband (Janie and Emmett Stanley). They are the most amazing, sweet people you would ever imagine. Janie has been battleing alztimers for some time; which Emmett has been amazing with helping work with her. When they came by you would think her seeing Duke was the second coming. She just loved and kissed all over him and telling me how perfect he was. So Duke has an 80 year old girlfriend, which I don't think Emmett minded too much.