TCL 2 Months

Weight: a bit over 12 lbs at your well visit!

Health: We started medication for reflux this month which helped to calm some of your symptoms.  Overall, you're in the 50th percentile for weight, height and head size!

Sleep: Sleeping doesn't come easily; most evenings you cry from 5:30-10PM and you sleep best when on a walk in your stroller ( you love the outdoors) or on Mommy's chest.  The longest stretch you've slept is 3 hours.

Social: You are becoming more alert when awake and tracking things with you eyes and cooing.

Diet: You weren't thrilled with the first bottle we tried to give you, but overall a steady appetite and eats well.

Clothes: You moved into mostly 0-3 month clothing this month.  Dressing you in summer baby clothes is SO fun!

Baby Gear: The rock and play has been great for sleeping because of the incline and our stroller has gotten quite a workout since it's one of the places you feel most comforted.  And the Ergo and ring sling have been life savers to keep you close and also have free hands.

Crying: Phew!  I'm not even going to elaborate.

Likes: Eating, being outside, walks in the stroller.

Milestones: Making noises! 

Brotherly Love

A few days ago, James Robert asked me if he could hold Tommy all by himself.  It is the first time he has asked to hold his brother and only the second time doing so (the first time was at the hospital and he hasn't shown interest since).  

I quickly picked up my camera to capture this moment. The pride and joy the James Robert beamed was unforgettable!  

Tommy has spent a lot of time crying, so having a few moments for the two of them to bond while he was not crying really made James Robert happy.  Upon his suggestion, we put down the play mat for them to lay together and it was the first time they were really engaging with each other.  Tommy was easily entertained by James Robert showing him all of his cars and trucks and even gave him a few big smiles!

 

Their brotherly love made me as happy as it made them!

Newborn Family Photos

When Thomas was just shy of a month old, we met up with the Jeff and Diane who took our family photos back in October.   

These pictures are such a treasure. It was the first time we all got dressed and left the house (which was a lot more challenging than it seems).  And although there were toddler shenanigans and newborn fussiness, Jeff and Diane captured such tender moments.  

Aunt Nikki Visit

While Mat traveled to Seattle, Aunt Nikki came to Oakville!  We had such a fun week and don't know what we would have done without her!

July 2016

July started with a trip to Northern Michigan to celebrate the 4th of July.  The car ride was a brutal 11 hours, but all-in-all both kids did beautifully!  James Robert had been looking forward to polka fest all year and had a blast dancing, watching the fireworks and catching candy at the Glen Arbor parade. It was also wonderful to spend time with Major who has been enjoying his time at camp this summer!  At the end of the month, Aunt Nikki came to visit and help us out while Mat was traveling to Seattle and we had a very fun visit. It was a great month!

TCL One Month

I am so thankful that I documented JR's first year in this format.  Each month I'll plan to post a similar update on Thomas' growth and memories.  There are so many things packed into these days, I don't want to forget the details! Thomas' first month was a wonderful one, here are some highlights. 

Weight: about 10 lbs (solidly in the 50% for all measurements at 1 month)

Health: Within the first month it seemed we had a lot of doctor visits.  There was a very lethargic couple of days that promted an ER visit to rule our jaundice (it was negative).  There were also a few lactation consultation visits to make sure we had feeding down pat.  There have been a lot of fussy evenings, so we're working on figuring out what has him upset. 

Sleep: Thomas is most comfortable sleeping on Mommy's chest or in his swing.  He loves to party all night long and morning is his best nap.  The longest stretch he has slept was 3 hours.  

Social: There were so many visitors in the first month including both sets of grandparents.  We had lots of friends from church come to visit us and bring food and meet you.  And because the weather was so nice and we can walk many places from our house, Thomas was out and about a lot in the first month! 

Diet: Thomas (just like his brother) has a voracious appetite.  He eats around the clock! 

Clothes: Newborn clothing fit the best; in fact, we didn't have many from JR, so we ended up getting a few more warm weather newborn items in order to have enough to wear.   Because it has been so warm,  he spent most of the month in a diaper and swaddle or a short sleeve white onsie.  

Baby Gear Love: Thank goodness for the swing!  Also, we have been having you sleep as much as possible in the rock and play because it is more upright than a bassient in hopes that you will be more comfortable.  We are much more minimal on baby gear this time around! 

Crying:  Although he wasn't born screaming, he has developed that skill in the first month.  There has been a lot of crying that we are still trying to figure out why.  

Likes:  The outdoors!  Thank goodness he is a summer baby because taking him outside to feel the breeze, watch the trees or take a walk has been the best way to sooth him.  He also loves his wabanub pacifier and of course, milk! 

Milestones: He lost his umbilical chord only 4 days after he was born!  The biggest milestones were getting back up to his birth weight (it took 2 weeks!) and meeting his big brother. 

June 2016

June was incredible.  There are not other words to describe it.  Welcoming Thomas into our family and adjusting to life as a family of four was the focus of our month!  We also managed to picnic at one of our favorite spots a few times and James Robert started Little Kickers, a soccer program for toddler-- he loved it!