Hi there, handsome boy! It's been such an awesome month with you! You seem so much older to us every single day, developing new skills and hitting milestones left & right. You can now roll both ways - you rolled from your back to your belly for the first time last week. You sit up unassisted pretty much all of the time, rarely toppling over anymore because you've learned how to use your arms to catch yourself. You jump around in the exersaucer and can play with all the gadgets on it (pressing buttons, pulling on toys, etc.) All of this means you are able to play more independently, requiring less of our undivided attention. Another big change this month is your diet - you are eating solids now! You still nurse about 6 times a day (5 during the day & once at night), but you're also having 2 meals a day, too. Sleep hasn't been the greatest (in fact, it's been pretty awful lately), but we'll go ahead and blame all of your miserable medical issues for that (your belly problems & itchy skin plus 2 colds & suspected teething, etc.) You're still growing at a steady rate, looking long and lean as ever. And, thanks to your heavy sister, your almost-20 lb body feels light as a feather to us! Here's the lowdown on your most favorite (and not) things right now:
Favorites
Toes - Oh buddy, you are obsessed with your feet! They are your most favorite things to play with. When we change your diaper, those legs go in the air and your feet go to your mouth. You eat all ten toes regularly, though you have a preference for the big toe on your right foot.
Giving open-mouthed kisses - You do this hilarious thing where you open your mouth wide and just attack the face of whoever is holding you. You give Mommy these "kisses" all day long. It's almost like you're trying to eat her cheek. You think it's so funny! And you smile really wide when Mommy gives them back to you.
Food - We started feeding you baby food this month and you seem to love it! It took a couple weeks for you to warm up to it, spitting out more than you ate. But you're a whole month in now and you just gobble it up. You've been eating oatmeal all month, which has dramatically improved your digestive system (you're pooping on your own again!) And just this week, you had your first taste of veggies - sweet potatoes then squash!
Pulling Hair - Ugh! This is Mommy's least favorite thing that you do. You are a major hair-puller. It probably doesn't help that my hair is the longest it has been in a long time.
Knuckles - In true baby fashion, you have a thing for knuckles. If you can get your hands on somebody's hand, their knuckles go straight into your mouth. It's pretty amusing to watch you try to get to them sometimes, as you'll nosedive for them. We imagine we will see some budding teeth in the coming weeks with how forcefully you are chewing on things lately.
Your Seahorse - It was only a matter of time before you became a Seahorse baby. You are no match for its magical powers to lull a child to sleep. You are soothed by its gentle music and soft light. We have no doubt that it will become a staple in your bed for years to come, just like your Big Sister.
Not-so-favorites
Shouting - It really frightens and upsets you when someone shouts near you. We don't raise our voices all that often, but when we do, you start crying almost immediately. Most frequently, we are reprimanding your sister from across the room, so you can blame her :)
Bottles - You pretty much refuse to drink from a bottle now, something that we really need to work on. You don't have to take a bottle that often, so you're just not used to it. Mommy appreciates the flexibility that comes with you being able to be fed by a bottle, so we need to have Bottle Boot Camp over the next few weeks!
Strangers - Just in the last week or so Mommy has noticed that you're slowly developing some stranger anxiety. You'll still go to just about anyone, but you seem to keep your eyes focused on Mommy or Daddy while someone else holds you.
You are the sweetest little thing, Joe. You love to cuddle really close when someone is holding you, cheek-to-cheek. You often wrap your arms around our neck like you're giving us a hug, which is pretty much the greatest feeling ever. The absolute best part of Mommy's day is when she comes into your room in the morning to get you. The second you see her, you get the most gigantic grin on your face and start wildly waving your arms and kicking your legs. It's the best way to start the day!
You are just the happiest baby boy, and everyone tells us so! We are so grateful to have you in our little family and to get to love on you each day. Thanks for another terrific month, little man!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy
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