My First Mother’s Day: A Heartfelt Look at Baby Grant’s 4-Month Journey

Today marks an incredibly special day for me – it’s my very first Mother’s Day! The feeling is absolutely surreal, a beautiful blend of joy, wonder, and a touch of disbelief. Sometimes, it’s hard to fathom that I am truly a mother, yet every waking second brings a gentle, constant reminder of this profound new role. Being a mom to my precious little man, Grant, is an adventure beyond anything I could have ever imagined, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Watching Grant grow and evolve over these past four months has been nothing short of magical. He’s no longer just a tiny newborn; he’s a peaceful, inquisitive little being who is rapidly discovering the world around him, and with that, learning delightful new ways to capture my attention. Indeed, attention is his favorite thing these days, and he certainly knows how to get it! And honestly, there’s nothing I love more than showering him with all the love and focus he deserves.

Grant’s Developmental Journey: Milestones and Daily Delights

Beyond his love for attention, Grant has developed a deep affection for his daily walks. The moment I pull out his little hat, his face lights up with the most giant, infectious smile. It’s a truly precious sight that melts my heart every single time. These walks are more than just exercise; they’re our special bonding time, a chance for him to experience the sights and sounds of the outside world, and for me to simply cherish these fleeting moments.

Exciting Milestones and New Discoveries

• Rolling Over: A New Frontier! This month has brought about incredible skill development, with the biggest one being his ability to roll onto his tummy! It’s truly astonishing to witness this rapid progression. What once was a safe spot for him on the ottoman in front of our couch is now a hazard, as he’ll simply roll right off. This newfound mobility, while exciting, has quickly reinforced the need for constant vigilance and a safe play environment. We’ve since invested in a giant play mat that covers a significant portion of our living room floor, and he absolutely adores the freedom it gives him to explore and practice his new moves.
• Navigating Sleep Patterns: Nights and Naps. Grant continues to be a pretty good sleeper at night, for the most part. We did experience a challenging short growth spurt a couple of weeks ago, during which he woke up almost every hour – a truly brutal period for us both! Thankfully, that’s behind us. His first stretch of sleep now typically lasts a wonderful 4-5 hours, which feels like a luxury for a new parent. Daytime naps, however, remain a puzzle. When he’s in his crib, he usually naps for a mere 30 minutes. But if he’s nestled on my chest, he can happily snooze for up to two hours! This discrepancy highlights the comfort and security he feels close to me, but also presents a challenge for establishing a consistent routine.
• The Quest for a Schedule: Seeking Parental Wisdom. We haven’t really established a strict schedule for Grant yet. I’ve mostly let him dictate his own rhythm, doing whatever and whenever he feels like it. However, I know this approach needs to evolve soon. I diligently track everything in an app, and my plan is to analyze this data to help us create a more predictable routine. To all the seasoned mamas out there, I would be incredibly grateful for your advice on this matter. How did you get your baby into a schedule? Is it too late to start now at four months? My primary goal is to make his daytime naps more regular and longer, which would benefit us both immensely.
• A Curious Change in Appetite: A Parent’s Concern. A somewhat worrying, yet ultimately reassuring, development this month was Grant’s sudden and drastic decrease in appetite. Around mid-April, it was as if he went on a complete diet! One evening, he refused to eat for 5-6 hours straight, even before bedtime, something utterly unlike him. He would just scream bloody murder whenever I tried to offer him the breast – a cry I’d never heard from him before. Panicked, I called the on-call pediatrician at 10 PM. Thankfully, he did eat later that night, but his overall feeding remained low. We took him in for a check-up, and to our immense relief, everything medically was absolutely fine. In fact, his weight is in the 91st percentile! We’ve learned to accept this as his “new normal” for now, a reminder that every baby’s journey is unique.

Navigating Motherhood: Confessions and Connections

Being a new mom means navigating a world of delightful chaos, heartwarming moments, and sometimes, a few “mommy confessions.” Since my little munchkin sleeps best on my chest, I often let him nap there for up to two hours while I work on my laptop. I know, I know, I’m probably developing some less-than-ideal habits, but I truly feel terrible when he wakes up after a mere 30-minute nap in his crib. Plus, this way, I get some much-needed work done. It’s a delicate balance, and sometimes you just have to do what works for your family in that moment.

I’m also completely obsessed with Snapchat these days, posting lots of adorable baby snaps and sharing snippets of our daily life. If you’re on Snapchat and love connecting with other parents, please feel free to add me! You can find me under “shineshka.” It’s a fun way to share these precious moments and feel connected to a broader community.

Our Top 3 Baby Essentials: Products We Absolutely Love

Through trial and error, and a fair bit of research, we’ve discovered a few baby products that have truly made our lives easier and more enjoyable. These are the items we’re absolutely crazy about and highly recommend to other new parents:

• Ergobaby 360 Baby Carrier
  This baby carrier has been an absolute game-changer for us. I dedicated an entire day to researching baby carriers before settling on the Ergobaby 360, and I have zero regrets. My decision was based on two key factors: its versatility with four wearing positions (front-inward, front-outward, hip, and back carry) and its reputation as a leader in ergonomic seating for babies, ensuring proper hip development. Grant is incredibly comfortable in it, often sleeping soundly during our daily walks. For me, it means hands-free convenience, and despite carrying a growing 17-pound baby, it’s remarkably easy on my back. It allows me to stay active, bond with Grant, and still get things done around the house – truly a lifesaver!
• SoftTiles Foam Playmat
  Creating a safe and stimulating play environment for Grant has been a priority, and the SoftTiles Foam Playmat delivers on all fronts. It’s not only beautiful and fun with its vibrant colors and soft texture but also incredibly convenient. I love how easily it cleans up, and the interlocking tiles allow for customization to fit any space. It provides a cushioned, hygienic surface for Grant to practice his rolling, tummy time, and eventually, crawling, giving us peace of mind while he explores.
• Ozeri Turtlemeter Baby Bath Thermometer
  Bath time is a special ritual, but ensuring the water temperature is just right can be a source of anxiety for new parents. We didn’t have this gem for the first couple of months, but I am so incredibly glad we got it now. The Ozeri Turtlemeter takes all the guesswork out of bath temperature. It’s a waterproof turtle with a clear digital display that changes color depending on the water temperature – green for optimal, red for too hot, blue for too cold. This simple device provides immense peace of mind, making bath time safer and more relaxing for both Grant and us.

Connecting with Fellow Moms & Future Updates

And that’s a wrap on our four-month update! If you’ve missed Grant’s previous monthly updates and milestones, you can find them all right here on the blog. It’s been wonderful documenting his journey and sharing it with all of you.

Finally, to all the incredible mothers reading this post, whether it’s your first or twentieth Mother’s Day, I want to wish you the happiest of days! Your strength, love, and dedication are truly inspiring.

As I navigate the beautiful chaos of motherhood, especially the challenge of establishing a consistent baby schedule and more regular naps, your wisdom is invaluable. Please leave a comment below and share your advice. What strategies worked for you? I’m eager to learn from your experiences!

PS: This post is not sponsored by any of the mentioned brands. However, it does contain affiliate links to products that I genuinely love and use every day. Thank you for your support!