Our little "bud bud" is over five months old! Another month or so and we should be through the worst of it! Yay Joel! Yay US! There have been a lot of tears around here these past 5 months... tears from Joel, tears from the girls, and tears from me, but we are doing so much better! Joel is becoming more aware of his surroundings and more mobile and interactive every day and this is WONDERFUL! I've always
loved Joel, but now I am finding him delightful as well as lovable. He coos and smiles and flashes those big blue eyes at me and I melt, I really do. He is just so snugly and squishy and yummy! Just look at those cheeks and fingers! Delicious! All of my children have been this way, but for some reason I thought a little boy would be different. Silly me. He's won me over just as everyone said he would.
Joel tried out our exersaucer this week and SCORE! He loved it. This is so great because it means I don't have to have him in the carrier 24/7 anymore like I have been. This means I can use the bathroom and he doesn't have to tag along! It's glorious. Yesterday I actually SAT at the table with the girls to eat lunch! I didn't have to rock and sway him while I tried to eat my food without dropping half of it on his head. This is really huge, people! The girls love it too. Lilia really enjoys pointing out all of the different parts of the toy and talking to him at his level. Ivy like to try and climb on it with him...
It's just super great. I see the future getting brighter every day! Thank you, Joel! Thank you for letting me put you down!!
Look at those peepers. We always knew our kids would have blue eyes, but just look at them! Gorgeous!
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| This was taken right after Cliff walked through the door. |
We still love holding him, too. Joel gets especially excited when Daddy comes home to hold him. He starts flailing his arms really quickly and hooting like a little monkey when he sees and hears Cliff. His eyes get even bigger, (if that is possible,) and he just hoots and flails like crazy.
Two of the best boys in the world!
Seriously, though! What is better than a squishy, snugly, baby boy in a hoodie? What? What??
Anyway. Now that the weather is getting much colder I am truly grateful that Joel is coming through the colic. I need smiles and laughter and flexibility as we slug through the dreary winter months. Thank you, Joel for being so compassionate and understanding of your mama!
As far as an update goes... Joel was over 16lbs at his 4 month appt. He was 25 in? maybe? I can't remember. Poor third child. He is healthy and chunky. Not as chunky as Lilia was, but more so than Ivy at this age. I still only nurse him on one side during his feedings. He seems more than content with that. He is still in size 2 diapers and is wearing 6 month clothing. He can still fit into some 3-6 month onesies. He is starting to scoot himself backwards on the floor and has been rolling over both ways for about a month. The minute he started rolling over from back to tummy we started putting him on his tummy for naps. He is still in the bed with us during the night, but those days are drawing to a close. We hope to move him to his own space after Christmas. Not that we don't love cuddling with our little guy, but whew. Sleep uninhibited sounds soooooooo good. Soon enough.
Joel has a delightful laugh and is very interested in those around him. He watches Lilia and Ivy intently as they run circles around him. He was watching them on his tummy in my bedroom one day and they ran out into the hallway. He started to cry and tried to push himself in their direction. He didn't want to be left behind! As soon as they came back in he calmed down! It was so sad and so sweet at the same time! I hope they include him as they get older. I love to see the three of them together. I read Lilia and Ivy a book yesterday with Joel sitting on my lap and it was great. It really way. I hope I can do that for years and years. We're so happy to have Joel. As cheesy at it sounds, I really do feel complete with him here :)
