5 M O N T H s O L D !!!

I'd like the record to reflect that I have survived 5 months of two children under 2. There were some moments (especially when Joseph had RSV or when Ian wouldn't quit stepping on Joseph's face) when I felt ready to put in my two-weeks notice. But there were also moments of great joy and satisfaction while spending the day with my sweet boys. They amaze me with their brightness, forgiveness, and cheery dispositions, and I love them. And thankfully, it has gotten so much easier in the last month.

Since Joseph will be 5 months old tomorrow, I decided it was high time to post stats from his 4 month appointment. (which was actually only two weeks ago)

Height: 25", 45%
Weight: 14. 65 lbs. , 50%
Head: 50%

He is a healthy, happy, sweet little boy. He loves to suck on fingers (especially Daddy's), chew on a sock over his hand, hang out on his tummy, roll around (last week he started rolling from his back to his stomach too, so now he rolls across the room!) When he is on his stomach he also likes to get his knees up under his tummy and stick his rear end in the air. While on his tummy he also enjoys pushing off my hand with his feet to propel himself forward. If Ian is in the room, Joseph will happily watch him from the floor, extending his arms to prop himself up for a good view.

He wakes up to eat a least twice a night, and several other times just because he feels like it. We are hoping solids will be the ticket to full night's sleep for all of us. But in the mean time, I love love love how he greets me with a smile and kicks those little legs when I go to him in his crib. Surely no other child has ever shown such enthusiasm as Joseph shows, especially at 3 a.m. If have to get up anyway, I am glad he makes an effort to make it pleasant for me.

So far Joseph eats rice cereal mixed with soy formula, 3 times a day. And today he had some apple juice in a sippy cup. He was delighted. I offered him a sippy cup last week with water and then formula in it. He left me with the impression that it was to difficult for him. But today when the same cup contained apple juice, he seemed much more up to the challenge.

Ian doesn't like to share this with Joseph.

Ian is quickly learning the rules of being a brother. You don't feed the baby brother anything, including fruit snacks. Things that have always been yours now belong to him. You must always walk around him, not over him. And if you want the toy he's got, you always trade it for something of your own.

Here Ian wanted Joseph's rattle, so he exchanged it for this impressive load. As you can see, Joseph was pleased with how he made out in this deal.

Despit his efforts to follow the big brother rules, sometimes Ian is still caught in the act of mischeif.

I asked Ian to stand by his vaccum for a picture, and this is how he posed. Back to back, like the vaccum was a human friend. He loves this car. I just washed him off after lunch and before I could catch him and re-dress him, he was out the door and in his car.

Scott was leaving for a scout campout and Ian loved carrying Daddy's water and wearing Daddy's hat.