Graham: Three Month Update

Month three with G was upon us before we could blink it seems, and our little guy is not quite as little of a peanut as he was! We don't have any official 'stats' this month since G's checkup isn't until next month, but by looking at him, I'd say that his near triple chin would be enough to lead me the believe that he is growing.

THE STATS:

Age: 3 months

Diaper size: 2

Clothing: 3-6 months, or 6 months

DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY:

G started smiling this month, and has just about the cutest little half smile smirk that I've ever seen. At the end of this month, he is just starting to notice his hands and arms, and has been holding them up to look at them and try to get his entire fist in his mouth. He has been doing a pretty good job taking a pacifier, which I am so thankful for, but is trying to eat his hand just about every chance he gets. I'd say he has a strong potential to turn out to be a thumb-sucker like his brother! It would be a lot better than scrambling around in the middle of the night trying to find a lost pacifier...just saying...

SCHEDULE:

7-7:40a.m.: Wake up! G usually gets up to nurse just before C wakes up for the day. C can now get out of his crib on his own with the addition to the the toddler rail. This has meant he has started getting up much earlier...around 7:30-8a.m.. He climbs out, flips his bedroom light on, then finds a good book or plays before I go and get him for breakfast, usually after G is done nursing. Thankfully, C's only figured out how to open his door a couple of times, so I can usually count on him to stay out of too much trouble in his room while he waits.

After waking up to nurse, G occasionally goes back to sleep for a couple of hours before waking up to eat again depending on what we have going and how successful I am at keeping C from yelling about 'ope-eyes' right in his face. 

Throughout the day, G continues to nurse every two hours, catching some shut-eye when he can. He has only napped flat on his back once during the afternoon, and usually has to be held or in the car seat while on a walk or on a trip in the car for any napping he decides to do.

12:30-1p.m.: C goes down for a nap. He usually sleeps about 1.5-2hrs, and I try to get G to nap in his Rock'N'Play so I can get some things done around the house. That plan works maybe 50% of the time, and the other 50% G stays wide awake watching whatever I'm doing, or demanding to be held. I do feel pretty guilty about not holding him or playing when he is wide awake, but since C has started getting up earlier, I rarely get a moment to myself, so this is usually my only chance until everyone is settled for the night, and by then, pretty much all I want to do is read a book and go to bed.

During the afternoon, we try to get outside for some fresh air. Might be a wagon ride, stroller walk, or visit to the park. G loves to be outside, and is almost always content to tag along on whatever adventure C & I are taking. We'll be sad when the weather turns colder and we are no longer able to play outside on a regular basis!

8-8:30p.m.: After getting C to bed...usually around 7:30-7:45pm, G has had enough fun for one day and is ready for some shut eye. He nurses, and then after some solitary snuggle time on the couch, I lay him down, awake, and he soothes himself to sleep within 5-15min. Once he fills his tummy, he is almost always fast asleep in the Pack'N'Play (he switched over from the bassinet this month) by 9-9:30p.m., and that's the last we hear from him until we start the routine over the next morning.

TOY OF CHOICE:

G hasn't experienced too many toys yet, but has enjoyed playing on his playmat. He also loves watching big brother C play with all of his toys. He is currently more about hands on play, and likes to "rock'em & sock'em" a.k.a. rough-house more than any specific toy.

STORYTIME:

G doesn't necessarily have a favorite book just yet, but does enjoy being part of storytime with his big brother. Lately, this has meant a blend of Herky's Gameday Rules, The Children's Story Bible, Halloween in Iowa, and This Little Explorer. We love to read! Sometimes, if G's lucky, I even read aloud to him from Game of Thrones: Storm of Swords...my current read.

THREE MONTH FAVORITES:

Smiling

Rough-housing "rock'em & sock'em"

Watching everything big brother C does

Blowing bubbles

Being outside

Daddy's funny faces

THREE MONTH LEAST FAVORITES:

Not getting enough attention

Being tired
Being cold

Evenings...likes to be in bed by 8:30pm

This picture was taken the day of the dreaded two month vaccines. G had been crabby all afternoon after his morning appointment, and the only way I could get him to calm down was to put him in this fleece bunting from when C was a baby. It may have been 90 degrees outside this day, but you would never know it from how content G was to be all snuggled up!

OH THE MEMORIES:

This month kicked off with several visits to the Clay County Fair. G slept through the majority of the fun, but did open his eyes to check out the baby animal barn and the John Deere equipment.

G got to attend his very first Hawkeye football game at Kinnick Stadium this month when he was just 11 weeks old. We took the boys to the Homecoming Parade on Friday night, and had a sleepover at Uncle B & Aunt C's house. After settling in for the night, both boys slept surprisingly well in their side-by-side Pack'N'Plays. We enjoyed a bit of tailgating with our family, and then to the game it was. G slept for most of it, waking up sometime during the third quarter to nurse (inside the first aid station at Kinnick). I commented to T later that that was the most I've been able to watch of a Hawkeye game all season! Usually I'm too busy running around watching C, but he was so busy watching the game or napping on Gma J's lap to cause any trouble!











Big brother C has been a source of much fascination this month, and these two little guys are becoming the best of friends. C is such a proud big brother, and is always watching out for G. G, meanwhile, rarely takes his eyes off big brother during his waking hours for fear of missing out on something important he might do or say. One afternoon, G was fussing a little while playing in C's bedroom. I had stepped out for a minute to go switch the laundry around, and when I came back, C had him situated on a blanket in his room surrounded by all of his very favorite stuffed animals and beloved blanket. #truelove





So many smiles this month! Can't wait to see what the month four will bring!