Week 29 - Milestones

(3/2/08 - 3/8/08)

Week 29 - Milestones

We hit a new milestone this week (actually we hit two milestones). Well one didn't end well, but it was a milestone none-the-less. If you have read all of my previous posts you know that Paul and I have had a problem with Jacob being on his belly for "tummy time". He has hated it from the beginning (which was partially our own fault) with the new "sleep on your back" routine that they push from the second your child is born (we even had to sign a paper at the hospital stating that we understood that back sleeping is the appropriate SIDS prevention position.) Because of this, we didn't start putting Jake on his belly until he was 4 weeks old to play and by then he wanted nothing to do with it. He would scream bloody murder so we would immediately turn him back over. We have since tried to have Jake on his tummy at least once a day and over the past few weeks he has gotten better, he still (at almost 7 months) can't do a "baby push up" but can now prop himself up on his elbows and stay on his tummy for awhile without crying and occasionally (unintentionally though) will roll over to his back.

So what was his new milestone you ask...........well...... the other night Paul and I were on the floor playing with Jake, Jake was sitting in front of me and trying to get a toy that Paul had placed on the floor in front of him. Jake then preceded to get up onto his knees with his arms locked and stayed in a "crawling" position for about 5 seconds before he face planted and screamed for 5+ minutes (I think his pride was hurt more than anything). What's the big deal???? Well for a baby who has been plagued with tummy time troubles, it was a HUGE milestone and one that Paul and I are extremely happy with. It shows us that no matter what, even if later than other babies he will eventually crawl and do everything else as he continues to grow and get stronger and stronger.

As you can see from the picture, the second milestone that we reached this week is SITTING!!! YEAH!!!! I still can't leave him alone, but he can now sit pretty good on his own. He will still occasionally topple over especially if he "isn't in the mood to sit" but he sat for over 20 minutes the other night without falling over and he did it while playing with toys. He has even figured out how to put a hand down to steady himself.

We went back to My Gym this week, Jake still didn't smile but had more fun with the toys and
the other babies. I am still hopeful that he will crack a smile and I am determined to have my camera with me every week so that I can capture the moment!

Week 28 - Staring is not polite!

(2/24/08 - 3/1/08)

Week 28 - Staring is not polite!

Jake and I finally made it to My Gym for our free trial class. When we got there Jake had just gotten up (effects of falling asleep in the car seat) so he wasn't too "with it". We went in and found a spot on the floor with one other mother. Her daughter was 10 months old and could crawl and stand with support so Jacob was watching this "little human" with great concentration. He looked at me once with this "where are we mommy and who are these little people" look on his face. Within a few minutes the class starting filling up with 5 other kids, one other girl, and 4 other boys. The ages of these babies in Jake's class range from 4 months old to 12 months old. We started class with a "Welcome to My Gym" song and then played "Three Little Monkeys"....you know the one......"three little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and bumped his head......." Jake really liked that because as you are singing it you bounce him on your legs and you open your legs and let him fall through when the monkey falls off the bed. After about 10 minutes of different songs and "exercises" we got to play on the gym equipment. They have a ball pit, swings, see-saws (for babies), and many many mats, balls, blocks, toys, animals, puppets, etc for you and your baby to play with. All throughout this "play time" the two teachers Mr. Eli and Ms. ??? (sorry can't remember her name) would play with the kids and help the parents on the various equipment. Finally we were at the end where there is "free play" you are supposed to put your son/daughter in the middle of the floor where there are toys and let them "free play" without you. I couldn't do that since Jake can't sit yet, but as soon as he does I will be leaving him for 5 minutes to see how he plays with the other kids.

Overall it was a very very fun experience. Jake didn't crack a smile the whole time, but that is because he stared at all of the kids the ENTIRE time. I know he had fun, because toward the end there was some semblance of a grin lurking behind that drooling mouth of his.

We registered as members and will be going back again this Wednesday for our second class. I will try and get some pictures of him next week playing (hopefully smiling and not staring).

Onto other news, Jake has started liking his jumper and is starting to be able to hold himself up better while playing in it, and is also starting to sit without support. I have the boppy behind him just in case he falls over but he is doing great at sitting. Also I should have put the BOPPY on last weeks "The Good, The Bad, and The UGLY!" post. It is an awesome invention and I have used it since day one with Jake. I have used it to help me feed him, to hold him while he is sleeping, as a tummy time pillow, and now as a pillow to help Jake while he is learning to sit. My niece just had a baby and that is the one item that I purchased for her (even though she didn't register for it) because I knew that she would love it after she had her baby.

I am also creating an album which I will have linked under my profile at the top right of this website soon. You will be able to see pictures of Jake when he was first born since I didn't start this blog until he was 4 months old.

Week 26 - Will you be my Valentine?

(2/10/08 - 2/16/08)

Week 26 - Will you be my Valentine?

There was a lot going on this week. First Jacob and I had a fun filled jam packed week scheduled, Tuesday we were supposed to go to Hagerstown to eat lunch with some friends, and Wednesday we were going to MY GYM to try out our free class with other youngsters, and Thursday was V-Day and we had a Corcoran party over at the Grandparents, and then finally Friday we were supposed to head over to West Virginia to hang out with the Great Grandparents.

Well let me tell you, it didn't start off well. This winter has been extremely mild and there hasn't been much of anything snowy or white to speak of. So of course the one week that I am excited about our schedule we get this freak sleet/freezing rain storm that comes through on Tuesday canceling my plans for Tuesday and Wednesday. But that is OK, I called the My Gym people and we will be going this coming week (stay tuned for details on how that goes).

So needless to say by Thursday Jacob and I both were ready to get out of the house. We went to town to the bookstore and got a few new books for Jacob (my favorite being "Mollywitch does magic tricks" with magic changing pictures) and then went over to the In-Laws for the annual St. Valentines Day party. Friday we headed out again to WV and spent a few hours with my grandparents (Jake's Great Grandparents) it was really good to see them and Jake had a good time.

Jacob has really changed in the past two weeks. He officially sat while supporting himself on his arms for over 3 minutes and even sat without support for about 20 seconds once or twice. Paul and I are very excited to see him growing and changing right before our eyes. He has even started being more social and has started spending time learning and looking instead of worrying about when he is going to eat, pee, or sleep next. As silly as it sounds it is like he has stopped being a newborn and started being a little person with his own unique personality, preferences, and quarks!

On a seperate note, Paul and I are very happy to announce that Jacob has a new second cousin. Cathleen and Tom had their baby boy last week, Thomas Royals Jr. He is doing well and is home with his parents. We wish them the best and can't wait for Thomas and Jacob to meet each other!!

Week 22 - LOL =)

(01/13/08 - 01/19/08)

Week 22 - LOL =)

Well we now officially have a 5 month old little boy. And BOY has he changed a lot the past few weeks. He has really gotten himself quite a personality and started making "razz" noises and blowing bubbles as his way of talking to us.

We are still feeding him one meal a day of rice cereal and he has really taken to it and has a fun time with daddy feeding him. In fact he tries to talk to Paul using his "razz" noise but never fails to do it with a mouth full of rice cereal so Paul and I are covered in it by the time he is done "talking".

One big thing we have noticed this week is that he is starting to entertain himself a lot better. I have caught him on more than one occasion "talking" to the toys in his crib and the video at the top of this post has him cracking himself up for what adults would think is no reason, but for him is funny!

He is very very close to sitting up on his own and I have a feeling he will probably sit up on his own before he will roll over. Right now his rolling over consists of him getting completely on his side and then right when you think he is going to roll over he plops right back onto his back again. But I am sure it is going to happen by surprise!