5 weeks Old

Joseph is now nearly 6 weeks old. Here are some stats from his one month appointment, though the measurements were taken when he was 5 weeks old.

Weight: 11lbs 4.5 oz, 90%
Height: 22 1/4 ", 75%
Head Circ: 15, 50%

Joseph has gained 3 lbs in just 3 weeks, and has grown an inch and a half since birth! It is fun to see his cheeks fill out, and now that he feels sturdier, I worry less about what Ian can do to him.

While Ian is working on being "gentle" and "soft" when he touches Joseph, these sentiments usually surface after he has flung a block at Joseph, or pretended --oops-- actually, stepped on Joseph's back during 'tummy time'. I love that after Ian is scolded for his treatment toward Joseph, Ian always gets a sympathetic look and then makes a motion like he is tousling Joseph's hair. Which is really funny, because Joseph is completely bald, except for a fringe of dark hair that hangs around the back of his head.

Here, Joseph was snuggled up on Scott's lap, when Ian come over and rearranged things to make room for himself.

Ian looks comfy, and Joseph looks like he doesn't care that he isn't.

But actually, I think Ian likes Joseph these days, and is always quick to notify me when he hears Joseph over the baby monitor: "Baby Joseph sad. Joseph cry." Followed by "Go get him. Right back. Hurry Hurry." It is fun to see Ian taking on what seems like a watchful big brother's role. He even offers Joseph his binkie, a privilege rarely granted to anyone else.

These days, Joseph is developing a more regular eating and sleeping schedule. It emerged on it's own, but I like it, so I have been careful to enforce it. He usually wakes up just before 7 am, and begins a cycle of eat, 'play' for 1 hour, sleep for 2, then do it again. He does this until around 7 pm, at which point he eats every 3.5 to 6 (!) hours and then goes immediately back to sleep. And thank goodness for it-- I have learned that I am quite tied to the regularity and dependability of schedules, and the whole irregularity of newborness had been hard for me. Without a schedule how on earth do you know what they are crying for?! And when you can sneak away to use the restroom? Or take a nap? So now that we near the 6 week mark, we are all feeling a little more normal. Finally! Phew! I think we can do this two-kid thing after all!

Here is Ian enjoying his favorite pastime; building "big, big, bunny house". Notice his favorite rabbit lounging inside.