4 Month Doctor's Appointment

Joshua and I took a trip to the pediatricians office yesterday, and for once, not because he was sick! It was his "official" 4 month checkup, the only thing he didn't get were his shots because he got those last time we were there since he was eligible, that way we didn't screw up the schedule for him to get them at 6 months too.

He was good, only started to fuss a little once when the doctors cold hands touched his belly. He now weighs 16 lbs and 15 oz, just about 17 lbs! And he is 24.5 inches long, which is 3 inches longer than he was at birth. Doctor said "he's not starving" and that he is a great size for his age. The awful diaper rash he had is just about gone, we are now taking precautions to make sure it stays that way! We were also told that leaving him naked as much as we can, especially in warmer weather is a good thing and will help avoid diaper rash on hot days!

Next week we get to start solid foods! We had been waiting because of the "hive" incident. She also gave me a container of a different (cheaper) formula to try him on, hoping his allergy is going away as he grows. It is the Gerber Good Start with comfort proteins, so it is a milk based formula still, but the proteins are broken down to mimic the protein in breast milk to make it easier on baby's tummy. I have been easing into it, since I am still a little nervous! But I mixed it with his expensive formula and gave him a couple ounces by itself to test for a reaction and he seemed fine! He actually likes it better, he drinks it much faster, like he used to with breast milk (it also SMELLS much better than the hypoallergenic kind!) So once we are sure he is used to the new formula, we'll throw in some cereal and fruits and veggies for him to try. I think he is ready to eat off a spoon since he loves sitting up and tries to sit as straight up as he can to eat from him bottle as it is!

He is also not being swaddled at night anymore. We had been wrapping him in those (baby straight-jackets) infant swaddling wraps, with velcro so he can't escape. He has always slept through the night very well in them, but recently, he has been getting his arms out, or trying to and getting them stuck which wakes him up. So he's graduated to sleep sacks! Right in time for summer, he has a couple sleeveless ones and one fleece with long sleeves and elephants on it haha. His arms seem to get cold when he sleeps so he gets the long sleeve one for now! He looks very cute/funny in them. so all-in-all, not a whole lot is new, and our boy is doing very well, before we know it he'll be rolling and crawling around the house on us! THEN we'll be in trouble!

Nothing new!

Haven't posted in a few days because nothing much has been going on! Joshua has had a pretty bad diaper rash for almost a week now. I called the pediatrician earlier this week, because we already had an appointment scheduled for this coming tuesday I didn't want to bring him in again if I didn't have to! Poor kid is going to think the doctor's office is his second home at the rate we've been visiting lately!

So anyways, the nurse told me it was probably a bad skin yeast infection because of the warm weather and humidity on Sunday. It was the first day he was outside all day, and the combination of the heat and a bulky diaper is apparently not a good one! The nurse told me if I didn't want to bring him in I could try using a combination of Lotramin and Petroleum jelly, so we've been putting on the lotramin 3 times a day, and covering it with Vaseline before we re-diaper him. She also said to let hin stay naked at least 15-20 minutes between diaper changes to allow him to air dry because the air helps heal it too. Today he is looking much better, still a little red but much let than before, not so dry and sore and puffy looking now!

Joshua really loves his exersaucer now that he has figured it out! He gets his feet on the bottom and spins himself all around and hops up and down. He smiles and squeals when he is sitting in it (usually) He is getting pretty good at pushing the buttons and playing with the toys on it too. He really likes to take the blocks off the alligator and throw them over the edge, luckily they are attached with a string so i don't have the pick them up over and over again :-P 

So that's all that is new! Grammy Kelley is coming over today so I can go do some adult things today and tomorrow Jay and I are going hiking with Jay's friend Jon and his girlfriend. Should be a good "adult" weekend for us!

The elusive Matt Chan visits

My dear friend, Matt Chan, decided it was time to get out of New England at just about the time that Joshua was due. This weekend was the first time he has been back since moving across the country, so of course, a visit was in order! Needless to say, Joshua was dressed in his very best dino-pants for the occasion (until he spit up on them and required a new outfit)

All-in-all it was a good day, and a great visit with Uncle Matt :). Joshua had a little bit of a fussy spell after lunch but got over it pretty quickly and took a nap with Jay for awhile on the couch.

A very big weekend, for a very little man

Another weekend has come and gone too quickly! We had a pretty busy one this weekend though, lots of visiting with family and friends. On Saturday, Joshua and I ventured down to Salem to visit Great Grammy Nikki and Great Grampy Brian, who we don't get to see nearly enough. Joshua was in a bit of a funk while we were there for some reason but he snapped out of it once he was back in the car. After that we headed off to Haverhill to visit Heather and meet her new baby, Odin. It was crazy to see Joshua and Odin next to each other! Odin is the first person I know with a baby younger than Joshua. I am excited for when they both get older and can run around together and play!

Saturday night Joshua decided he wanted to pretend to be a newborn again, perhaps he was inspired by Odin, so I got a 2am wake up call... which is always nice...

And then on to Sunday! Sunday, of course, was Father's day, Jay's first. Joshua and I got up early and made Jay breakfast in bed. That is what my parents and all of us kids did on Mother's/Father's days, so i figured I'd carry on the tradition. Who doesn't like breakfast in bed, really?! 

We had taken pictured in the mall at Picture People, which I think I wrote about in a earlier blog? So Jay got one of those pictures in a nice frame and a mug that says "DAD"... Because every Dad needs a special Dad mug, right?! After we were all up and at'em, we scrambled around getting ready to head over to Grandpa Eddie's house for a Father's Day BBQ. People weren't kidding when they said everything takes twice as long (at least) with a baby! I feel like every time I am packing, even for a day trip, I need to have a list of things to not forget, and half the time i end up forgetting things anyways! Joshua started off the trip by not sleep at all on the car ride over! He wasn't fussing, but I was pretty sure we were in for it later on. Once we got there it was time for him to eat, so he did, and we tried making him lay down for a nap, since he hadn't had one and he wanted nothing to do with it! Eventually Jay's Aunt Suzie held him and he slept in her arms for a bit. It was a pretty hot and humid day, so we decided it was time to attempt the swimming pool again. This time Jay went in with him though. He was surprisingly OK with it for the most part. He stuck Joshua's toes in and all was well, walked him in to the top of his legs . . . still good, then tried to put him in his baby floaty seat . . . bad idea. So we took him out of that and Jay held him in the water some more. They have a float that looks like a lounge chair, so Jay decided it would be funny to prop him up in that (which it was). Joshua was alright with that. As you can see below... and while we was lounging there, looking like he was beckoning a waitress, everyone kept saying "he looks like he should be holding a beer" soooo.... we gave him one haha (don't judge us) it wasn't open (obviously) But look how cute he looks! Besides, he will probably think we were the coolest parents ever when he sees this picture some day (when he is of age of course!)

Don't judge us... you know it's funny...

All warm and snuggly after the pool!

All the generations of Dads.

Think that's about all that happened this weekend of note. Joshua is sleeping now so I think it is time for me to do the same! Good night my friends!

Officially 4 months

I know I posted yesterday about Joshua being 4 months old, but since today is officially "the day" I'd post again. Every month on the 18th I always think..."at this time in February..." If you haven't seen already, I loaded up the full photo shoot to flickr, and my favorites to my facebook since there were so many this month. I'm afraid, I have turned into a crazy photo taking mom.

Although, I am horrible at remember to bring my camera when i go places, and ever worse at remember to use it if I do manage to remember to bring it along. Anyone who came to Joshua's Baptism knows this since there are NO pictures of him with everyone who came (whoops!)

This weekend is Father's Day, and Jay's first! Joshua and I picked out some things for him to remember his day by, and we will be going to Grandpa Eddie's house for a Father's Day BBQ. Maybe Joshua will even enjoy the pool this time, since it will be warmer and the weather will be too! Last time we stuck his toes in the pool water, he screamed instantly like someone was trying to chop his legs off! Although he did quite enjoy floating around a cooled-down hot tub in his floaty . . . who wouldn't, really!

well that is all for today, Must get back to work while Joshua is napping!

4 Months... Already?!

I know everyone told me that time would go fast... and enjoy the early months/years blahblahblah. BUT it is hard to really grasp it all until you sit back and really realize how quickly it has gone already!

I can remember clearly, those first few weeks of young Master Joshua's life, when all he did was cry, or eat, or poop... literally! And all did was about the same... minus the eating.

February, 18 2010 came and went so fast, I would have trouble believing it really happened except for the living proof which has now become my second, but most important, and most rewarding full-time job.

And here we are, 4 months later. With an infant, who has almost doubled his birth weight, grown a few inches already, and changing right before our eyes every day!

He has reached many of his early milestones already. He is a smiling, giggling, drooling, fart-noise making, toe-eating machine! He is so SO close to rolling over now. Although, he likes to be sneaky about it. For example, I am washing the dishes, his pack-and-play is set up behind me, I hear him making funny grunt sort of noises so I look over my shoulder to see him on his side, reaching for toys he can't quite get. I am thinking "just kick that leg a little more and you'll be on your belly!" But alas, he notices me looking flops over onto his back again and gives me the cutest smile like he is saying "What? I wasn't doing anything new." I think he wants to perfect it before he lets us know he's been working on it. :)

As most of you who see my pictures know, every month, on Joshua's month "birthday" I set him up in the big chair upstairs with his big stuffed monkey and take a picture of him next to it so we can look back someday at his little calendar I am keeping for him and say "aweee, look how much he grew so fast!" (I already do that)

So, to sum it up, I know I am a little late jumping on the baby-blog train. But, better late than never! I am hoping to update this (when I remember, and the boss (joshua) allows for it!) I'll post pics and videos...i think i can do that... and update you all on milestones as we get there. Joshua is a pretty funny little man so I'm sure there will be lots to share!

Thanks for reading!