Karma...

Hi JoeJoe,
Well, I kept saying that you never acted up for us like everyone tells us you do for them.  Well, that bit me in the butt yesterday.  You had a spell of several hours where you were very fussy.  I feel so bad for you - we changed your diaper, fed you and swaddled you but you still screamed.  We could tell your tummy was hurting - you were straining and spitting up a lot.  After a few hours, you finally passed out.  I think that your overall temperament is pretty laid back.  But, when your tummy hurts, you just can't take it and are fussy.  I can't blame you.  In between those fussy spells, I would get a few smiles and coos so it made it a bit more bearable.

I also think you are somewhat of a mama's boy.  Daddy can bounce you just like me and you will scream.  I bounce you and you stop.  I won't complain  :)  Maybe one of my sons will call me mommy.  haha.

Well buddy, let me leave you with some photos of the last few days.  Still lots of hair and still my cutie patootie!

Weeks 9 & 10

Hi Joey,
Not a ton to share with you since my last post.  You are smiling more and cooing more.  You seem to be doing a bit better with your tummy but we still have a few fussy spots.  You went to the doctor for your 2 month check up and you got your shots.  Fortunately, daddy went because you mom is a wuss when it comes to her kiddos getting shot.  You seem to be doing great at daycare and Mary told us that you love watching the kiddos and interacting with them.  You seem to be losing a bit of your hair but there is still a ton there  :)

Other than that, lots of home time.  You are still getting up twice a night or so.  You did spend a bit more time with family these past two weeks.  Aunt Laura babysat you one night - you cried for two of the four hours!  You have also spent time with your Grampa Keith and at your Gramma Debbie's after daycare.  I haven't gotten bad reports from them so, hopefully, you are being good during those 90 minutes.

I have a few photos for you on 2 scrapbook pages.  You are such a cutie kiddo - you steal my heart.  Big plans and lots to tell you for next week!

Survived!

Hi JoeJoe!
We survived your first day at day care.  You were fine, I was fine and Mary was happy with you.  Unfortunately, Elijah wasn't so happy that you invaded his territory but he will get over it.  You slept all night when you got home - you were worn out by all those kiddos.  I was so sad that you went to daycare and I missed you but I know that you are taken care of.

Today, you are two months old.  Holy smokes - who would have thought you were that old that quick!  I am torn because I can't wait until you are a bit older and more interactive.  But, on the other hand, you are my last baby and I need to cherish every moment of babyhood  :)

I told your dad that you have jimmy-leg just like him.  I swear that you never, ever stop moving.  Your arms and legs are constantly going.  Even swaddled, you move so much that you get out of the swaddle whenever you want!  No wonder why I was always in pain - you were pulling on every muscle and torturing me!

Catch up

Hi Joey,

Darn your mommy - it has been a really long time since I wrote on your blog.  The good thing is that I am too busy spending time with you & your brother to write on your blog.  The bad news is that when I don't do it everyday, I forget those small details that I always want to share with you.

As I write this, you are 2 days short of being 2 months.  You are starting to develop a personality.  You are smiling more and smiling "socially."  Oh my goodness, when you smile, it lights up the room.  Your smile is so big and so addictive.  My heart melts each time.  You will get excited and chuckle.  It is so darn cute I can hardly stand it!

You are such a good sport with your brother.  He loves you so much and he is always ready to love you up.  He "tap, tap, taps" on your back to help us burp you.  But, that also turns into "taps" on your face.  You rarely cry and are even starting to smile at him.   

Unfortunately, you are still having tummy issues.  We are trying to get your medicine regulated and I am hoping it helps you.  When you get pains in your tummy, they turn into screams.  You have cried each time we have left you with a babysitter - Gramma Debbie, Auntie Becky, Grampa Keith and Auntie Val.  We are running out of sitters because they are so frazzled by the time we get back.  3 of those sitters have handed you to me at the door with a sigh of relief that their job was over!  So, we are going to have to figure things out or we will be running out of sitters!!

The past week, I have spent most of our days just looking at you.  I have enjoyed cuddling with you, watching TV with you and just watching you.  I am having a very difficult time with you heading to daycare tomorrow.  It isn't that I don't trust Mary - I know you will be totally cared for.  But, I just feel that you are not ready.  I know how to fix you - your tummy, your cries, your quirks.  Mary won't know how.  She won't be able to sleep with you and know that she just needs to pat your back when you cry & you will go back to sleep.  I know that she will figure it out and you will be just as happy as Elijah but it makes me sad that you have to go so quick.  That NICU just screwed us both, baby.

We went to the dr. on Wednesday and you were over 14 lbs this time!  WOW - you sure are growing and growing quickly.  We go back to the dr. on Wednesday for your formula study & then on Friday for your 2 month check up.  Lots of appointments.

Our big event these past 2 weeks was your baptism.  Holy smokes kid, it was so darn hot in there that every photo of me is just pouring out sweat.  But, you were a champ.  You didn't fuss at all.  We laughed because when you got the holy water splashed on your head, you liked it.  It was so hot that it was a relief to you.  As part of the ceremony, you were exorcised.  It was the only time you made any noise and we all kind of laughed like you had a demon in you!  It was a nice service then we had cake at Grampa's bar.  

We had our first road trip this weekend.  We went down to Missouri to see all your cousins on your daddy's side.  You did great in the hotel and with all the family but you had a hard time in the car.  You get so hot in that seat and you hate sitting in it for too long.  It is so hard for me to hear you crying in the back seat and knowing there isn't anything I can do about it.  If I hold you, then much worse could happen if we got into an accident.  Our options are to make a lot of stops or have you cry it out.  We did both!!

Well, buddy, I can't remember much else to share with you.  I hope to do better in the future but with going back to work, my remaining health issues and trying to raise 2 boys, I am not sure how good I will do.  I will leave you with some photos & scrapbook pages.

Few daily photos...

 I can't be sure but this may be the first photo of you with your daddy & brother.

Our last visit to Dr. Bonebrake.  We won't be seeing him again since there are no more babies coming!  You did a great job of burping right in his face.

At your cousin Mila's shower.  I love watching you when other people hold you!

My favorite picture of you at your baptism.

Some random photos I took of you on my iphone.

You are the only one in this house that loves the big boy bed.  :)

Big smiles in Missouri.

Quick Post

Hi Baby!

I know I have been missing for awhile.  We are going out of town on Thursday and I hope to take my motion sickness pills and get you all updated on the last few weeks while we are driving.  For now, I will share some scrapbook pages.