Joseph - 6 months

Six months.  Half a year!  Where has the time gone?

Yes, I missed the 5 month photo.  That's because Joe has been keeping me busy!

He's moved into 9 month clothes.  He's already 20.5 lbs!  And his thigh rolls just slay me.  

He is now sitting up unassisted, which makes playing with big-brother Aaron easier!

He is full of smiles and laughter, my happy boy.

That is, of course, as long as mama is right next to him. 

We are in the throes of extreme separation anxiety.  It's pretty intense, guys.  I'm going to have to remind him when he's a teenager of how much he lovvvvvvved me as a baby.

He is mobile!

No, he doesn't crawl yet.  But he rolls and shimmies to his destination.  Usually it's while crying in desperation to get across the living room to where I am busy with something.   It's pretty impressive!

We've all been comparing Joseph's looks to Aaron's.  I can't pinpoint the differences, but I stand on the side that they look distinct from one another.  Others can't tell them apart!

Big brother is definitely Joe's best friend.  I pray it stays that way.

Joe ADORES him.  He's fascinated by Aaron.  He is the coolest ever.

And Aaron couldn't possibly be a better brother.  I am so proud of my boys.

Joe is starting solids now.

Here he's trying some sweet potato.

He definitely prefers to feed himself!  I mean, look how much fun it is!

We've also been doing some pureed vegetables too.  Peas, more sweet potatoes and carrots.  

It's a great way to ensure Mama gives baths every night!

We've been having so much fun watching this big guy grow.  And it's going by so fast.

Joseph - 4 months

My Joseph is 4 months old!

We've put away the 3-6 month clothes and have pulled out the 6-9 monthers.  He's 18 pounds and 26 inches - keeping him in the 91st percentile.  Atta boy. 😉

He gives me big, slobbery kisses that I just adore.  He's become a happy, giggly baby and such a joy.

He still eats quite often and wakes up a few times at night.  And we are still dealing with his messed up gut.  In fact, I get to scrape runny, mucusy poop from his diapers to try to collect a sample to find out just what's going on with that gut of his.  (The things mama's do to help their babies.)

He's found his toes and loves to scoot down in his bouncy chair to kick at the toys.  He bounces in his excersaucer and smiles.  And he blows raspberries all day long.  Big, wet, bubbly raspberries.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You've poured out on me- so much greater than I deserve.

Joseph - 3 month

Joseph is 3 months old!

I weighed and reweighed Joe for this post...  No official baby scale.  Just doing the math - subtracting my weight alone from my weight when holding him.  And I could not believe I got 17.8 pounds EVERY TIME!  As Daddy said though, "Not surprising."

After all, I was just commenting on how I think his size 2 diapers are getting on the small size (they go up to 18lb), and he is in size 6 month clothing, even some 6-9 month things.  And he just turned 3 months old!

He's my big bruiser.

And since taking him to the chiropractor, he's as sweet as can be!  It's official.  I'm a believer in chiropractors.  He used to be incredibly fussy.  I couldn't really do anything right by him it seemed.  And two adjustments at the chiro- he's a totally different child!  So smiley, and so happy!

We're still working on his gut and gas issues.  But it's been so wonderful to see his personality shine through!

He is now reaching for things, grasping objects and has even started GIGGLING!  He likes time to play on his playmat or on his bouncy chair, with his giraffe or bird near enough to grip onto.

He adores big brother, wanting to watch whatever he does.  I don't want him to grow up too fast, but I can't wait to see them playing together!  I can tell he's itching to. 😉

Aaron - 3 years

My Aaron turned THREE YEARS OLD on February 11.  I cannot believe it.

And I cannot imagine life without him in it.

He is super social.  He LOVES going to see friends or having them over.

He's musical.  As Grandma Carol puts it, "He's got a song in his heart."  He sings most of the day - loudly to me, quietly to himself.  He picks up on new songs amazingly fast.

He is so affectionate.  Multiple times a day, he tells me "I love you Mom."  or "Give me hug."  He loves cuddling.  He is always wanting to hug, kiss, or hold Joseph's hand.

He's tough.  He's split his lip, he's skinned his hands and knees, he's even fallen down the stairs and just gets right back up and keeps on going!  

He roars like a dinosaur anywhere and everywhere we go.  His favorite food is pizza, or simply "pupperoni."  He counts to 10 (and automatically assumes that if you're counting, you're playing hide and seek).  He says his alphabet.  He reads stories to himself and to Joseph (having memorized certain books).

I am over-the-moon proud of my dear son.  I am incredibly thankful for him.  

Aaron Turns 3 - A Dino Birthday!

It is too hard to believe that Aaron is 3 years old already.  He's growing up so fast!

We celebrated his 3rd birthday on Saturday with lots of family.  He was "SO ESCITED" for his dinosaur birthday party!

We had toy dinosaurs all over the house, and a dinosaur cake and a dino-watermelon.  He was thrilled!

My social boy loved the attention.  He went from guest to guest, roaring at each one (in his dino-like way), and freely gave hugs and his love.

He, of course, was so thrilled to open presents again (with Christmas still being so fresh in his mind), and made Mama proud when he said thank you and gave hugs.

Thank you for celebrating our social, loving, funny, tough, affectionate, smart little 3 year old love with us.  

We are so incredibly blessed.

Joseph - 2 month

My little Joe is 2 months old already!

Except, he's not so little.  He's already 14 pounds 14 ounces!  What?!  Slow down kid!!

It shouldn't be a surprise, though.  His favorite pastime is still eating.  Like, constant eating.  Like, an hour to two hours apart usually.  And he still refuses any pacifier or bottle we've tried.  Sigh...

He's ticklish!  If I tickle his tummy, he squirms and kicks.  His big brother is ticklish now, but never was as a baby.  It's fun for me!

He is getting SO talkative.  I love sitting with him while he smiles and talks to me.  He goes on and on.  It's adorable.  He talks if he's happy, he talks if he's disgruntled (which will eventually turn to a cry or scream if I don't understand what he was telling me...).

However, he seems to be my introverted son.  Aaron never minded being passed around and held by others.  In fact, he always seemed to enjoy seeing lots of different faces.  And even now, Aaron is my super sociable boy- definitely an extrovert.  Joseph, on the other hand, does NOT like being held by anyone but Mama usually. And even though he doesn't want to sleep anywhere but my arms, there are times when all he wants is to be put under his playmat to have some time by himself.  

Joseph is Aaron's admirer.  He loves when Aaron sits and talks to him- which is often.  I can't wait to see Joe toddling after his big brother, trying to keep up.  The time will be here before I know it.

Actually.... just slow down kiddo.  You're growing too fast.  💙

Joseph - 1 month

Joseph is now 1 month old!

 This has been the fastest month with the longest nights.

My little love does not sleep at night.  And it's not his fault.  He's got tummy troubles.  I blame the antibiotics they pumped in me during labor and in him after delivery.  Poor guy.

He's started smiling and cooing though.  He knows how to melt his mama's heart.

And big brother adores him as well.  Aaron has started talking to Joseph directly, and I change my voice and move Joe's arms to answer for him.  Big brother LOVES this- and carries on long conversations about dinosaurs, play dough, snow, Christmas, and anything else that comes to mind.  Also, Joe is now Aaron's singing buddy.  My heart is so full!

I've lost all the pregnancy weight, which is really exciting!  But I've been eating like a teenage boy- so I'll have to be careful it doesn't come raging back when the breastfeeding slows down.  And it will slow down eventually, right?  I mean, this kiddo likes to EAT- all day, all night.  He's already gained about 3 pounds in 1 month!  He's in the 98th percentile!  When he was born, the doctor said this big baby would suck the hips right off me (Ha!) and he certainly has!

To help with his gas, in addition to probiotics for both him and me, I'm trying to restrict certain foods as suggested by my doctor.  This is not going to be easy, as he listed pretty much my entire diet.  Dairy, tomato-based sauces, cola, CHOCOLATE?!  Ugh!

I think I'll have to start the no chocolate thing after Christmas. So pass me a peanut butter blossom please!