Five months

Yauzzah! How time does fly!

I would like to preface this email with my necessity to write before five months so that I actually might remember more of the fuzzy details, something about becoming a mother makes you understand yours from a whole new perspective. How did Mom do it with Mommy brain, a husband and five little chick peas in toe? only God knows how she even got dinner on the table and everybody bathed and into bed at a decent hour.

His cry has changed, he has a cry for when he is hungry, wet, bored, scared, etc. It is quite comical to disifer, kind of like sherades but it seems to just be my game to play.

He has hit the bend in the road of everything has become amusing: he laughs at everything when he is in a good mode or just recognized Mommy or DADDY´S ATTENTION. He loves patty cake, the itsy bitsy spider, especially the part when the sun comes out and Mommy´s face appears, when we tickle him under his chin or on his sides, the kisses attack, zerburts on his belly, etc. He also is facinated with his reflection in a mirror, sometimes to the point of laughing at himself (though he doesn´t realize quite yet that is is himself) or starting a conversation and smiling back.

His bowl movements have become much more regulated and less dramatic, up until also 3 mouths he would regularly explode in some of the most awkward situations. He is now pooping "yellow mango jelly" once a day, usually mid morning or right before bed. He still chose to have his last horrah a week and a half ago. We visited on our way home a good friend who looove to play with Joseph and hadn´t seen him for a few months. They were getting ready for a garage sale and I decided to meander through some items while they ooed and awed. He was placed in his stroller while I priced a few odds and ins and was on my way out to skype with Mom and Dad. In all the goodbyes, Rick Dickson picked him up to kiss him and vualá! Poop all through his britches, up the stroller and plaster on the outside of his diaper. How, I have no clue. The funny thing was I had ran out of fresh diapers and had one wipe left so Mom and Dad were lucky enough to witness a messy blob through the web cam of all the action as we raced inside.

We have finally hit the milestone of baby testing who has the authority, and yes, he is attempting to manipulate us with his screams to get our undivided attention at his beck and call. The good thing is we knew this was coming and we have been able to talk about how to approach this awkward situation together, despite our parenting differences of opinion. So there are times for Mommy and baby, Daddy and baby, and baby by himself, whether he chooses to whine through it or not. He has started conversing with himself and plays for a long time with his hands, these are positive distractions and a healthy reminder that he is maturing just fine. One day at the office, it was all I could do to not pick him up to make him stop, all the staff around us and him screaming because he wanted my attention, but at least we are working on the issue now rather than later.

Joseph tends to be all smiles, except for the camera. He isn´t quite sure what to make out of that strange black box with a little red light that flashes and hides Mommy and Daddy from him.

We have had a babysitter two night recently and it has been wonderful! Joseph has done beautifully and we really enjoyed the quality time together. Isn´t funny that we had the baby over to someone else to have a change in routine and focus on each other and all we seem to think and talk about is the baby?

Joseph hasn´t rolled over quite yet, but he has been having lots of tummy time to help him work on his muscles. He can now reach for a toy and draw it to his mouth, where everything ends up if it is up to him. At bath time, he loves to suck on a wash cloth and "drink" some water, bath time has become a second bath for mommy with all his acrobatic splashes. I am saving on having to wash the kitchen floor as often, Joseph ends up with half of his bath water on the floor.

Well, Joseph began sucking his two thumbs about two weeks ago, I fought it for a while and the more I did, the more he sucked so I have left him to stuffing the little thumbs in his cheeks at he leisure. The positive is he doesn´t seem to be so interested in sucking them for long periods, I really hope he naturally lets go of the discovery as he gets more and more involved in other activities. Holding a toy and even a teething ring has helped.

Though a learning process, Joseph is finally going to bed around 7 every night and falling asleep all on his own. Whew! Praise God we started this learning now rather than later. It is heart breaking to hear them cry themselves to sleep the first nights, but it is so much better for them and for us. And another huge milestone, he is generally sleeping at 7 and sleeps until 3 to 5 am to nurse again! This has given me my beauty sleep and revived me in so many ways, I am actually dreaming again! After he nurses, he goes right back to sleep until 7 or 8 am.

It is not a definate yet, but I am considering enrolling in a drawing class as a hobby to relax with everything going on. It is a toss up if I do it, I am praying about leaving Joseph with a babysitter and I would take a three hour class once a week for this year. i AM CONSIDERING IT TO BE A POSITIVE OUTLET FOR MY MENTAL SANITY, WE SHALL SEE.

Joseph loves to squeal and makes funny noises and gurgle. He enjoys playing with his hands and two adys ago discovered his feet and though it was the funniest thing. He is now eating every four hours approximately during the day. He is a healthy boy, loves to watch and observe others. He loves his Mommy and Daddy and he likes to bounce on mommy´s legs