3 Months

It is nearly impossible to believe that Jude is three months old.  The days fly by with four kids.  Jude continues to be the most perfect baby.  He is as easy as I can imagine a baby being.  He takes great naps, usually three times a day lasting for about two hours each.  He is even sleeping very well at night.    On a typical night he goes to bed around 9:30 and sleeps until 3 or 4, then goes back to sleep after nursing until 8:30 or 9.  He has slept through the night twice, so we are feeling a bit more human now that we are getting some more predictable sleep.

This month he has been really interactive in his smiling.  He responds to our voices with great big smiles.  He loves being sung to and just being in our presence.  He is starting to grasp things and suck his thumb.  Every time I go to his crib to get him he is happily sucking away.  He still struggles to get his thumb to his mouth when sitting up but is a pro when lying down. We still give him a pacifier, which he takes and it always calms him.   He enjoys being in his swing or being held.  He tolerates his carseat but does a good amount of crying in it when we travel.  He likes baths.  He is learning to kick and splash.  I love watching him kick his little legs around when he is excited.  He is also beginning to make cooing noises, which I love.  

Jude is very tolerant of his older siblings.  He is jostled around and being loved on constantly.  

I Found My Thumb

So far Jude has enjoyed his pacifier.  From only a few days old he has taken it easily and we've used it to sooth him.  Just recently he has discovered his hands and has shown a lot of interest in sucking his thumb.  He works really hard to get it into his mouth, but once it is there he is very content.  He doesn't try to suck his fingers or knuckles.  He specifically wants his thumb.

New Born Pictures

Two Weeks Old

These are some of my favorite pictures from Jude's newborn photo session.

SHOTS!

Jude got his two month shots today and had a dermatology visit.  Poor guy! Time for some TLC!

I Slept Thru the Night!!!!

I was thrilled two nights ago when Jude slept until 4 a.m. before waking up but was ecstatic when he slept in until 6:00 last night  (of course I woke up earlier scared that he'd stopped breathing).  Hopefully this is a trend that continues.  I forgot what more than four hours of continuous sleep felt like.

Two Month Stats

Length: 23 inches (57%)

Weight: 12 lbs. 13 oz. (77%)

Head Circumference: 40.9 cm (74%)

Two Months

 Time has flown by with this little man around.  Everything these days seems like a bit of a whirlwind but I am trying my best to take everything in and enjoy all the little moments that I can with Jude.  We've been blessed by people in our lives who have graciously kept the older kids, giving Jeremy and I some alone time to spend with Jude.
Jude is quickly growing.  Everyone comments upon how big he is.  He still seems little to me!  He is starting to grow out of his 0-3 month clothing.  I am anxious to see how he compares with the other kids when I take him into the peds clinic tomorrow for his two month well exam.
Jude is a very sweet baby, he is delightful and doesn't get too fussy.  He loves being around people, swinging in his swing and being held.  He tolerates his bath, carseat and stroller time.  He hates dirty diapers and will scream with anger until it is changed (even just the tiniest bit).  Unfortunately we go through a lot of diapers because he goes regularly after each meal and sometimes in between.
He is nursing exclusively every three or so hours day and night.  He is a very quick eater.  Most of the time taking only five minutes to finish his meals.  We've tried to introduce formula at bedtime once or twice but he wants absolutely nothing to do with it.  He will take a bottle with breast milk, which has allowed me to get away a little bit.
He sleeps well.  He is up like clockwork at night at 1:30 and 4:30, he eats and goes immediately back to sleep without any fancy coaxing.  He is still sleeping in our room in a bassinet but we are planning to get him into his own room very soon.  He wakes up in the morning rustling around but usually will go back to sleep if I put him in our bed and give him a pacifier until about 8:00.  His nap patterns aren't quite established yet.  Typically he naps around all day here and there but I try to get him in his crib for a good afternoon nap that usually lasts about two hours.  It is hard to keep things quiet in the house so who knows if he'd sleep longer.  Bedtime is whenever we go to bed, usually around 10.
This month Jude has started sharing purposeful smiles, making eye contact, following noises, noticing he can use his hands and  is becoming a bit more coordinated with them, he holds his head up with a bit more strength but is still wobbly.
Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that there are four kids in this family and it blows my mind.  It is certainly a wild adventure but now that Jude is here I wouldn't want it any other way.  He is the perfect compliment to the rest of the gang.  We love him so much.