Eight

Talking to Gigi on the phoneplaying the Keymonica, this was Mommy's toy when she was a kidI can't believe it has been 8 mths since I gave birth to Joseph JR. What an adventure thus far, started off not so great but now we are happy as can be! Joseph is really growing and moving and learning a lot. Just this week he learned how to maneuver into the sitting position from his back or stomach. He has also pulled up on his crib once. If I stand him up while he's holding on he can stand for a few seconds then he falls. He is rocking on all fours now, and he pretty much gets where ever he wants by using his front arms to pull himself. He doesn't have the back leg crawl down yet, but I feel any day now I'm going to see him crawling across the floor. He rolls and scoots his way around.

He is really learning his voice these days. He lets out cute screams and coos and "dadadada". Of course Daddy is loving that.

Naptime is going ok, could be better. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we still have activities in the morning. By the time we get home I usually feed him and then try to put him down for a nap. I miss the 3 hour long naps he used to take in the afternoons. Now he is taking a one hour nap in morning around 11am, and a 1 hour nap around 2pm, then another 1 hour nap around 6:30. Yep- that's 3 one hour naps!! I guess better than no naps at all! We have not graduated to nap time in the crib either. I've tried and he will not stay asleep for more than 15 min if I lay him down in his crib. So as for now nap time is still in his swing, bedtime is still in his crib.

Solids! Wow, this subject I could write a book on. I am following the "Super Baby Food" book like it's the Bible. A new version is coming out soon, I will be first in line to buy it : ) New foods baby has had this past month is yellow squash (he likes), greenbeans (not so much), organic carrots (he gags everytime), potatoes (yum!), organic banana (loves, but gets a red hiney everytime), prune juice (makes him go poop!), and yellow egg yolk (he likes). I think that is all I can remember off the top of my head. It sounds like a lot of food, but some days he will not eat anything and he only wants to nurse. Other days he eats like a champ. The veggies he isn't liking so much I am mixing them into his cereal that I make him (brown rice or organic millet). I am also trying more and more to get him his vitamin drops either in his drinking water, which by the way he is doing good taking drinks out of a cup (with our help of course) or I put them in his last few bites of food. I still worry about him not getting enough iron since I am not feeding him iron fortified cereal. At 8 mths I can start putting ground flax seed on his food, that will provide iron. At his 9 mth check up they will take blood to check for anemia, so then I can make sure he is getting what he needs. I feel like he is behind compared to other children his age as far as solids go, he is only eating maybe one meal a day. He nurses so much still, and he doesn't yet have the pincer grasp down yet for finger food snacks. That is all I'll say about solids for now... : ) Oh but he can have watermelon at 8 mths, so that will be coming soon...

What Joseph loves! Water! We have been to a big pool twice thus far and he loves it. He also loves playing in his little pool in the backyard and taking baths. When I'm watering the flowers he will put out his hand to touch the water and he closes his eyes real tight-the cutest thing.
He also loves loves loves laughing at daddy. Daddy is still the most funny guy in the house.
He loves listening to books. I read to him every day. He sits in my lap and listens or while he is playing in the floor I will read to him. He will get a free book from the library once I record 10 books I've read to him on their web site!
Joseph loves the puppet bear at story time at the library. When Ms. Nancy sings to him he has the BEST reaction! All the other moms always tell me they can't wait to see Joseph's reaction when the bear sings to him. He screams with excitement then reaches his arms out as straight as they will go and makes a grunt/growl noise-it is priceless.

We are having so much fun at this age! I am sad he is growing up. It seems he is halfway hanging off my lap already with his long legs. He won't cuddle with me unless he is nursing, otherwise he pushes me and wants down to explore. His little personally keeps me laughing all the time-much like his daddy. We love him so much and are so thankful he is in our lives!

Pullin Up

I walked into Joey's room this morning and he was sitting up all by himself! As I got closer to the crib he pulled up and was standing there holding onto the edge of the crib! He did it all by himself! I am so glad that Daddy and Uncle John lowered the crib mattress about 2 weeks ago, just in time for my baby to start pulling up. Today at library time I saw him sit up from his tummy position all by himself. He turned onto his side then pushed his way up to sitting.

Pool Day!

Today we were invited to go to a splashpad/pool in a neighborhood close to ours. We had so much fun! Little Joey got to swim and play in a big pool for the first time. I think I have a little fish on my hands, he loved it all except for when he got sunscreen in his eyes : ( I'm hoping he will take a nice long nap this afternoon!

Toy Box

Usually I just get one or two toys out and let Joseph play with them happily in the floor. He has a toy box in the living room and one in his room. They are mostly stuffed animals from when he was in the hospital, hand-me-down toys from Lucy and lily, also toys and books that family and friends have gotten him. So the other day I just sat him right in front of his toy box downstairs and he went to town looking at everything and getting toys out to taste and play with. I know once he starts crawling/walking these toys will be spread out across the room!

Let's Read : )

These pictures make my heart smile! I pray my baby falls in love with books. I have signed up Joseph (and myself) for the summer reading program at the library we go to on Tuesdays.
Joseph's favorite books:
Flip Up Counting
Are you my mom?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Finger puppet books-Patrick and the Hungry Puppy and Bucky the Bookworm
Moo, Baa, Lalala
Hallmark read aloud book- All the Ways I Love You
"Bright baby" books- Animals, First Words

Cousins Max and Evan

Aunt Becca and the boys drove down for a few days to help celebrate Randy's 60th. We got to spend some time with the cousins! She had a short but nice visit will the family. She even brought us some "new" hand-me-downs for Joseph. We love getting clothes from the cousins! Joseph enjoyed watching the boys and playing over at Grammie's during the week. On Wednesday they walked with us at the woodlands and Max got to feed the Koi fish! Max and Evan are such sweeties!

sweet baby

My baby has about outgrown his swing. That makes me so sad. He can lean so far forward that I'm scared he'll fall out. He's sleeping in his crib for a nap for the 1st time ever. He always takes naps in his swing. I'll see how long he will stay asleep. I always think the swinging motion keeps him asleep longer.

We went to music time this morning with a neighbor and her 2 boys. It was very stimulating for Joseph and he enjoyed watching the other children. He is a bit young to do the activities on his own, but with my help he can get the idea of what's happening. I hope to attend each Wed. morning. After music time today, we met my two mom friends at the woodlands and walked. It was scorching hot, so we decided next week to meet at one of their houses instead and soak in the pool. That should be fun. Summer is here!