July 2013

It's been a big month!  I was actually already thinking that before our 2nd child was born, and then it got even bigger!

Our 2nd child was born three weeks early and you can read all about it in previous posts.  He is doing great and we love him very much!

He's a good little guy.  Always very content and doesn't cry or fuss, beyond letting us know he's awake.  He liked to be swaddled, which is something his big brother never cared for.  It was cute to see how that was exactly what he needed, but he's had to grow out of that stage quickly.  When we visited the pediatrician when he was 3 days old they thought his skin was too yellow and had him get a bilirubin test 4 days in a row to monitor those levels.  I was supposed to breastfeed him a lot and expose him to indirect sunlight.  So we worked our way out of the swaddle to expose his skin to indirect sunlight.  We still swaddle some, but he's okay without it and he doesn't get it very much.

Getting some of that indirect sun:


I'm not sure our firstborn is sure what to think of the baby, but he seems to understand well enough and shows concern for his little brother when he starts to fuss.  Today he found the baby's hat on the couch and had me go put it on him in his pack and play.  He calls him baby and will occasionally go look at him or show him a toy.  He hasn't agreed to hold him, or even touch him, yet, but he'll get there.

I feel really bad about not being able to carry big brother.  I'll carry our newborn all the time but if our firstborn asks to be held I'm not allowed to pick him up and it's really sad.  I wish I could play with him more too.  He's had lots of playtime with my mom and sister this week and he'll be sad that they're gone.  I'm healing well and should make a good playmate again soon. Hopefully he'll be okay when it's back to just us.

Our two year old was having a big month even before little brother arrived.
 - He recognizes the numbers 1-9 and can count 1-12 (at least).
 - He's been reading words and can read daddy, bus, ball, owl, and car.  Before giving birth I'd see if he wanted to learn a new word a couple times a week, he's very good at it so I should introduce another word soon.
 - He moved out of his crib and into a toddler bed.  He absolutely loved it after he and daddy put it together and had a fun evening playing in it.  It was a little tough getting him to stay in it to fall asleep but he's doing pretty good now.

Cuddle ♥

More things about our firstborn for July:
 - He's definitely 2!  He's full of energy, he's the boss, he likes to make a mess, he throws little fits, he's defiant, he loves to say "no way!" in a very adorable way.
 - He's also obedient, cooperative, sweet, and the happiest little kid.
 - He loves to help in the kitchen, he especially loves standing on the step stool and tasting everything.
 - He makes sniffing noises when he smells something.
 - He scratches his head when he's looking for something.
 - He likes to tell us what something isn't or what color it isn't by shaking his head no ... it's not a bus, it's not an apple, it's not red, etc.
 - He loves his tricycle and is pretty good at steering it.


One Saturday we went to the mall and rode the carousel and had ice cream.


Grandma brought this fun new toy! Duplo Blocks + Train + Numbers + Dog = Perfect in so many ways!