Babbling

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little cutie!  Today I headed off to work again, but you had fun with Penny! When I got home, you had plenty of kisses and smiles for me!  :-)

Here's what you did with Penny today:

8:30am- sleeping

11am- music time and practiced sitting, reaching, and grasping

11:15am- walk outside

11:40am- tummy time and floor time

12:20pm- sleeping

5pm- floor time

This evening, when daddy and I were playing with you, we did another tummy time on the bed.  You did really well.  You still get frustrated after a while, but you're able to hold your head up for a lot longer than before.  I still have to push you in order for you to turn your head to the left, but you're getting better each day.

This evening, you were practicing your sounds and talking.  You like to make "ahhh" sounds.  Maybe because I keep saying "Mama" in front of you!  ;-)  Maah ..... maah .... maah .... maah ....!  ;-)  You like to babble around, but no words yet .... we keep waiting!  :-)

Today at work, I saw a little boy patient who was born premature as well .... his mom was 29 weeks and 2 days gestation .... I was only 5 days more when you were born!  He's now 2.5 years and you are healthier than he is .... his medical history was complicated (I even had to call a cardiologist to get medical clearance).  We're so blessed that you're healthy!  You're such a miracle and gift from God!  

Tomorrow I head back to work .... save some more smiles and kisses for me!

Sleep tight little fellow!

I love you very much!

~Mommy

MLS

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello cutie!  Today was more exciting an yesterday .... you got to meet more people and go for a drive!

Today is Dr. Rickert's birthday, the other dentist that I work with .... so, we went into the office today to see everyone for a little birthday bash!  :-)  Everyone held you and saw how big you've gotten.  I weighed myself before and after holding you, and I know you're over 12 lbs!  Whoa!  Remember only being 2 lbs 4 ozs?

Afterward, we drove around and looked at some more neighborhoods.  You took a little nap in the morning, so you were more alert this afternoon.

We're officially online and in the MLS system so other real estate agents can find us!  Our official number is: 1718782 .... now we play the waiting game.  Hopefully, things will work out and we can move into something bigger.  :-)


We did a tummy time early in the day, and you did really well.  You're getting stronger at holding your head up and turning it.  You still favor the right side, so we continue to work on that.  This evening, daddy did some tummy time with you, and you almost rolled over!  Of course, the bed was helping you, but it was still exciting to see you almost roll!

Afterward, we played on the bed until you fell asleep.  :-)

Sleep tight little one!

I love you!

~Mommy

For Sale

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little cutie!  Today we took it easy since this weekend was so busy! 

You and I relaxed at the house.  When you took naps, I cleaned the place.  We're trying to keep the place as tidy as we can in case potential buyers want to come by and see it.

Your (Great) Uncle Laurence came by with your cousins Erik and Mia.  They put a sign out in front of the townhouse and put a lock box on the door with a copy of the key.  How exciting!  :-)

Daddy had another soccer game tonight.  It was a late game, so you and I stayed here and played.  Gigi and Grandpa Jim came over around 9pm to see you and visit.  Daddy came home after 11pm .... we were both sleeping!  :-P

Sleep tight little man!

I love you!

~Mommy

Easter

Dearest Joshua David~

Happy Easter .... He is Risen!  This was your first visit to church!  We went to the Church of the Holy Cross, which is where daddy and I got married!  Fr. Gibson said a blessing for you when Grandpa Jim brought you up to the alter during communion.  We talked to Fr. Gibson a little after the service about a baptism for you.  He said he would be more than happy to baptize you .... he also baptized your daddy right before we got married!  :-)

You practiced sitting up more today.  We got a "bumbo" chair from one of Gigi's coworkers, so I put you in there so you can practice sitting and holding your head up.  You're still wobble around, but you're getting better.  :-)

Today we went over to Mimi's after church for an Easter Brunch.  You got to meet Rob (Aunt Katie's brother) and the McDuff's (Denis and Regina).  They were the ones who gave you the Mr. Potato Head and teddy bear!  They were all excited to see you!

This evening Mimi and Grandpa Mike got to watch you as daddy and I talked to (Great) Uncle Laurence about houses.  When we got back to Mimi's you were all cozy and ready to go to bed.  Once we got home, you took a bottle and went to sleep.  :-)

Sleep tight little precious!

I love you!

~Mommy

Easter Egg Hunt

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello cutie!  I have some news for you .... your 3 month clothes are getting too tight and short!  Today daddy and I had to put you in a "6 month" size onesie!  You're getting so big!

Today we had an Easter celebration at your (Great) Uncle Laurence's house.  They just moved, so it was the first time seeing their house as well.  

You got to meet a lot of people too!  Since you stayed at our townhouse for Christmas, you didn't get to see all your aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Today, you got to meet about five new relatives!  I bet you didn't know you had such a big family!  ;-)

We had an Easter Egg Hunt there.  You and your cousins (Charlie, Erik, and Mia) participated.  You found 4 eggs!  Woo hoo!  But, alas, you did not get to keep them .... and .... daddy and I ate your chocolate!  :-)

Your Mimi and Grandpa Mike came over as well after we walked through a house that we're looking at.  The house is nice, but would need some cosmetic work on the inside .... paint, caulking, etc .... things that daddy and I have done here with the townhouse.  So, we're considering putting an offer in.  We'll see.  

We got back late tonight.  You placed on the bed a little, but then fell asleep.  

Sleep tight little one .... tomorrow's Easter!  

I love you!

~Mommy

Twenty Four Weeks

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little sweetie!  Today you are twenty four weeks old!  Whoa!  You're getting old!  :-)

Today is Good Friday.  This is the friday in Holy Week right before Easter .... the day that Jesus died on the cross.  In three days .... Easter .... he rose!  This is the basis of Christianity and what sets us apart from other religions.  

Gigi watched you this morning.  Daddy and I went driving around looking at houses and neighborhoods.  We're getting a better sense of the different neighborhoods around Raleigh, and we're getting closer to narrowing our search based on location. 

But, we also need to sell this townhouse.  Uncle Laurence came over and we signed all the paperwork to put it on the market.  :-)  He and daddy measured the rooms and verified information about the place to disclose to potential buyers.  As we were looking at the paperwork, I was giving you a bottle and you threw up in the kitchen!  Right when we had company!  :-P  I changed you afterward.  :-)  So, the paperwork is all signed which means we are officially "on the market" with an offer to sell.  

I did your laundry today, and one of your socks went missing.  This is the first time we've lost one of your socks .... and it won't be the last!  It might have gotten trapped in one of your blankets.  Perhaps it will show it in the future.  :-)

Sleep tight little precious!

I love you!

~Mommy

April Fool's Day

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little one!  Happy April Fool's Day!  Usually people play tricks on each other on April 1st, but we didn't try any tricks this year .... maybe next year.  ;-)

This morning we had some extra Mommy Morning time before Penny got here because you woke a little earlier.  After your bottle, I put you in your papasan chair so I could wash the bottle.  You grabbed your blanket and started to stare at your hands!  It was so cute!

You suck your thumb and fingers more to soothe yourself.  And, you're trying to talk more.  Penny noticed that you like to practice your "G" sound.  Some times you'll sit there and make noises like "Grrrrr."  :-)

Here's what you and Penny did today:

8:15am-10:30am:  sleeping

12pm:  walk outside, sat on deck, and tummy time

1:30pm:  sleeping

1:45pm:  tummy time, practiced sitting, music time

4:30pm:  sleeping

Guess what you did today .... you transferred!!  This is a big developmental step for you!  You were holding some plastic toy rings in your left hand .... then you reached over with your right hand and took them!  Good job man!  I'm so proud of  you!  This evening you did it again with daddy on the bed.  You grabbed a little toy and passed it between your hands!  Woo hoo!

This evening we watched UNC in the championship NIT game.  It was close, but we ended up losing.  :-(  Oh well .... there's always next year!  :-)

You're doing really well little guy!  It's amazing to think how far you've come!

 I love you!

~Mommy