Nicknames: munchkin, little bit, droolie
Temperament: It's starting to sound a bit like a broken record but he's still happy, social and easy going. We're not sure how we were so blessed to have such an easy baby but we stop to appreciate it each and every day. He does start to get a little fussy at night now when he's over tired. He start with lots of eye rubbing and work himself up to a few crocodile tears. We're trying for an earlier bedtime but thus far all we're getting is a little longer evening nap around 7pm.
Stats: 15 lbs, 24 inches
Looks: Evidently Josh is a little on the small size but at least he's proportionate. When we saw his pediatrician two weeks ago for his delayed four month shots he only measured in the 25% for height and 13% for weight. He still seems chunky to us and we're happy that at least now he's on the charts. Before his heart surgery he was in the less than 5% for both. His head circumfrence has always been high and was in the 97th percentile this month. His Nana says he has to have a big head to support those cheeks. His cheeks are often quite rosy these days now that winter is here and we have to work constantly to keep him moisturized. We keep meaning to get a vaporizer for his room but we haven't quite made it to check them out yet. We've been working too on softening up his scars. It's hard to believe that we've been home for three months but his sternotomy scar is starting to flatten and whiten out. Hopefully soon it will be less noticable. The scar from his chest tube has always been a little bit retracted but now that his belly sticks out more it's a little more noticeable like a big dimple.
Accomplishments: It's been a busy month. Most important to mom and dad, he's started sleeping mostly through the night. Occasionally he still wakes up once around 3 or 4 but most nights he's down from 11 until 7 and it is heaven. He's been the most excited about finding his feet. His toes can provide an endless amount of entertainment and he loves to grab them and roll back and forth. It's fun to watch but certainly makes diaper changes more challenging. Speaking of rolling, we're on our way to a mobile baby because he can roll front to back or back to front this month. Each time he does it he still seems surprised about how he got there and he hasn't figured out yet that if he just reverses the direction he'll go back to how he was so hopefully he won't get too mobile anytime soon. He's also able to sit unassisted for a few minutes and can stand for short times if he can hold onto something.
Things he loved the most: playing in the exersaucer, dancing to the "shake your booty" song (classy we know), grabbing his feet
Things we loved the most: seeing him respond so well to people. Thus far we have no hits of stanger anxiety and he loves to smile and coo at everyone when we're out and about. We also loved seeming him all dressed up in his Halloween costume and can't wait to take him trick or treating next year.
Things he could do without: Shots. While he did great with his two month shots, the combination of the Synagis and the month four shot cocktail put him over the edge for about 48 hours. He did fine at the doctor's office but by bedtime nothing could make him happy and he seemed confused as to why he felt so sad. Unfortunately the Synagis is once a month until we get through RSV season so we'll see how that goes.
Things we could do without: Going to have to stick with the drooling again this month. It seems like he should be dehydrated with as much liquid as he loses from his mouth but thus far he's always capable of making more. He's also learned to pool it in his mouth this month and then spit it out which constantly soaks his outfits even with the bibs.
Item/toy he loved the most: His sleep sack. It keeps him warm and toasty at night and is likely part of the reason he's sleeping most of the night. We wish they made ones that covered his hands since they're always ice cold but he doesn't seem to mind.
Items/toy we loved the most: Bibs. We go through at least five or six a day since the drool-fest continues. It's the only way to keep him from soaking his clothes and everything around him in less than fifteen minutes.
Item we all hated: The oatmeal in a bottle. Our pediatrician suggested we put some cereal in his formula to thicken it up since he's had some reflux lately and to help him gain weight. Well no matter how thin we mixed it or what nipple we tried, it just clogs the bottle and makes us all pretty frustrated. For now we've given up but if he can get coordinated with swallowing from a spoon we may try that soon.
Surprises: It's not really a surprise but it's so fun to see his personality developing every day. He's starting to seem less and less like a baby and more and more like an individual.
Momentous events of this month: After four and a half months of struggling with a low supply, we've given up on breast feeding. While I was sad I couldn't make my body work it is liberating to be free of the pump and it gives me more time to sleep and play with the munchkin so overall it is a good thing. His first Halloween was also a real treat just to see him in his costume. He may not have fully appreciated the experience but it was fun for us. Also this month Scott and I both survived weekends of single parenthood - Mine while Scott backpacked in Cumberland Gap and his while I went to Texas for girls weekend. Overall each weekend went well but I think we're both glad we don't have to do it alone the majority of the time. We're also excited that our friends Tricia and Chris moved to Ohio this month. Not only does that mean a shopping buddy for mom but it will allow Josh to get to know his future bride when she's born this next month.
Other fun pictures this month
Almost ready to go backpacking
Napping with my puppies
Wow Charly that's a scary yawn
Playtime
Bathtime
Chubby Cheeks
Here's a link to some more pro pictures we had made this month
http://piankiphotography.zenfolio.com/p942823080
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Things we're looking forward to next month: A full house for Thanksgiving! Chris, Emily, Sam and Nate are coming for a long weekend late Tuesday night and Chris's parents, Rick and Joyce, and our friends Tricia and Chris will be joining us as well. We can't wait to celebrate our first big family holiday and start some new traditions of our own. Hopefully Josh will get used to a spoon and will get to try some "solid" food over the holidays.
