Joah turned seven months old at the beginning of December and Jude was 2 1/2 just a few days later. But because we had the craziest, busiest December ever I did not get a chance to post these updates. I will have to write a new 8 month update for Joah in a just a few days and hopefully I can do a holiday catchup post of all the events that we had going on during November and December.
Joah at 7 month:
Wearing: wearing mostly 6-9 month clothing, size 3 diapers, size 3 shoes
Weight and Height:
We won't know officially until 9 months! 19 pounds and growing!
Appearance: Joah still looks so much like James at 6 months, but he still has differences that are uniquely him too. His hair is growing back lighter and sticking straight up. His eyes are blue with a brown sunburst from the pupil...maybe in the process of changing?? We'll see how it all ends up. He's still a smiley guy!
Eating: Nursing on demand all the time. He started solids right before he turned 6 months old. He has eaten rice cereal, oatmeal, and many fruits and vegetables. He is eating about twice a day and doesn't seem to hate it or love it really. I'd say sweet potatoes or carrots are probably his favorites and green vegetables are his least favorite right now.
Sleeping: he still takes several cat naps and a longer nap in the afternoon; he sleeps all night *if* he's snuggled up next to Mama.
Interactions/Development: he is starting to seem so much more grown up this month: he whines, arches, and squirms when he wants to get down on the floors with his brothers, he can roll and scoot and spin in a circle all over he floor to get to their toys - he is kind of crawling but I wouldn't say it's official yet (he started crawling shortly after turning seven months), he can put anything (pacis, leaves, paper, toys, whatever!) in his mouth, he is very grabby with his hands and reaches for plates or tablecloths or anything within his reach and yanks (oh hair! Look out!), he is sitting up better this month but still a little wobblier than his brothers at this age, he is trying to get up on his knees constantly and will kind of leap forward/crawl but hasn't officially taken off, he has learned to cry to get to Mama and knows now when I'm out of sight (the nursery workers joke that he cries for me with no tears! Ha!), blowing raspberries, and drooling but no teeth yet, laughing, he has even gotten in a bear crawl position on his tippy toes and hands, very jumpy on his legs and strong
Outings: first visit to Santa (and he seemed to like him!), first time swinging at the park
Things he seems to like: being held, being worn in the ergo carrier, bath time, being outside, pacifier, watching and laughing at his big brothers, playing on the floor, toys, food!
Things he dislikes; being in the car seat especially later at night or when it's dark; Mama leaving him or being out of sight now
Health: he had croup on Thanksgiving and was absolutely pitiful. I was very worried about him. He is finally starting to get back to normal.
Temperament: He's probably the most happy, easy-going baby of the three! Everyone comments on how happy he is. He has started to fuss just a little when he's not pleased with something or when Mama leaves him in the nursery.
Joah, we've had seven perfect months with you! I can't wait to continue to watch you grow and your life unfold. I pray that it is joyous, full, and rooted in Jesus. He loves you more than you could comprehend. And so do we! You are a dream baby! Your smile lights up our family. We love you, forever!
Jude at 2 and a half:
Weight and height: 32 pounds and 36 inches (roughly)
Appearance: big brown eyes, light brown curly hair that is loosening maybe a little (I think it's just getting thicker), a strong and muscular build. He's solid! He is shorter than James at this age.
Wearing: he's still really wearing 2T for the most part but we are pretty much only buying 3T if we make any new purchases. He wears a size five diaper. Hopefully by three he will be potty trained but James did it *so* easily right at age three so I'm in no hurry. He wears a size 9 in shoes.
Some of his favorites right now (some he told me and some I just know even if I couldn't get an answer!):
Book: Monster Trucks, Monster Trucks and Goodnight Gorilla (and sitting still for me to read to him
much longer now)
Show: Monster Jam (but doesn't watch a full show of anything)
Movies: How the Grinch Stole Christmas , Monsters Inc.
Foods: yogurt, cheese, scrambled eggs, macaroni, pizza, hot dogs, peas as a favorite veggie and sometimes green beans, all fruit - loves fruit!, fries, donuts, cookies, fruit snacks (all desserts really), he is NOT a big fan of carbs and doesn't eat many (especially bread), he loves loves dipping things in ketchup
Drinks: water, Apple juice, lemonade
Place to eat out: "the cow" (Chickfila)
Toys: trucks or other transportation but really whatever James has/is playing; he just adores James and chases hard after him whatever he's into (even if it's school time!), balls, Lego duplos, enjoys stickers and other art projects (more than James at this age)
Sport: football (he has cried to leave youth football games); I think he is our biggest sports lover so far.
Stuffed animal/comfort: Cubby (his dog), pacifier for sleep (that I say I'll take away when his two year molars are in - he has one), and has shown an interest in a Christmas teddy bear that we have out right now with our decorations
Friends: James and Joah, "Conan" (Owen) James friend at church that is also at youth events because of his parents role in the youth group; he also has about four consistent little two year old boys in his classes at church that he plays with and interacts with. I'm so very proud of Jude and how he has started to accept staying in his class at church and doesn't get upset anymore. He tells me "I cry for Mama" or "I cry for James" and does a fake cry when we pick him up! He's a ham!
Song: The family finger song (he has discovered it on YouTube videos and watches it repeatedly), the Thomas and Friends song, but really any songs. He loves music and memorizes songs easily! He has rhythm and likes to dance, sing, play drums in the student worship center, etc.
Other things worth noting: Jude is at such a sweet, fun, sometimes challenging age. He has moments of telling us "no" and throwing himself down or pouting but they are usually very brief and manageable. He is usually pretty easy to correct and says "ok" when we have to call him down. He is tough and independent. He can hold his own very well probably from having a big brother that he's always been keeping up with. He really likes to try and do things himself now like open things, put on his shoes, and carry his bag to church. He is a charmer. He calls people "beautiful!" He knows just what to say to get a reaction out of me or others...bad or good. He had a very cute, unique (from his brothers) squinty/scrunchy nose natural smile. He is talking really well now in full sentences. He has a cute little voice and the way he says his words make us as smile. His new phrase is "oh yeah!" I have not worked on him as intentionally on more academic tasks like I did with James at this age but he is still learning colors, numbers, shapes, etc and picking up things from doing school alongside us (when he wants to). I'm not remotely worried - there is grace (with myself) with the second and third children and I realize I can't be everything to all people at all times. He is brave and fearless. He stands on things, climbs on things, jumps on things and does "monkeys on a bed." He gives me a heart attack daily. He still puts paper and other random things in his mouth. I'm praying we get out of this phase soon because choking is my major fear/struggle. He has quite an arm on him and throws things (phones, food, whatever) when he's done or mad. It is definitely not our favorite habit of his and it has been hard to break. His 2 year old "guilty pleasure" is watching you videos and kids songs on YouTube and I have to confess that we use this to our advantage when in a pinch. There are times that he only wants Mama, but he and Daddy are very tight as well. He's not *as* much a "Mama's boy" as James. He wants to give everyone "a hug and a kiss" when they leave. He says "I'm scared" and shakes his body at the sight of amphibians and bugs...but I don't think he really is. He is uniquely different than James and Joah, and it is just a joy and honor to be his mama.
There are days that I feel bad for him. As much as I fight against the middle child syndrome, I see how babies get attention and firstborns are doing new things and needing new things. Sometimes I feel like he doesn't have a lot that is or was "just his" and I definitely feel like my time and attention are pulled in so many directions, that I don't want him to feel he gets the raw end of the deal. I pray that he would know that he is smack dab in the middle of our family but also our love, embraces, affection, and attention. I pray that he knows that he isn't lost in the "crowd" that is our family with the noise and busyness or overlooked, but that he shines in a million ways. And we see him. And I promise that as soon as it matters to him remotely, that I'll take him out on a special day out with Mama for ice cream and to pick out a pair of shoes or jeans that were bought just for him! He's the creme to our Oreo and he is the sweetest! We couldn't love him more!
