Hello, sweet little muffin! You gained 7oz this week, and are doing super well. You're a joy to be around, awake or asleep, and you charm people with your cuteness everywhere we go.
You've developed some skin issues, though - some cradle cap on your eyebrows, and what I think is eczema on your cheeks. It started small, but has spread to both cheeks. It's pretty red and dry, but you don't seem bothered by it. Nonetheless, we'll talk to the doctor about it when we go on Tuesday. (Tuesday is also the day you get your first shots. I'm not especially looking forward to it - it was supposed to be last week, but the doctor had to reschedule.) We have started wiping your face with a wet cloth after every feed. I also bought a sensitive skin laundry detergent and washed all your bedsheets in it, so maybe that will help, too. You come by this honestly - you egg donor has struggled with eczema all her life, and one of her little ones also has chronic skin issues. So it isn't a surprise, but hopefully the doctor can help us make it better. And then I can get back to kissing those cheeks without worry!
I'm pretty sure you're entering another growth spurt this week - yesterday you suddenly became ravenous, throwing our "feeding every three hours" routine out the window. Of course, it took me a while to clue in, so yesterday afternoon I was trying to coax you to poop while you were trying to tell me that yes, it was only an hour after you last ate, but you were starving. Sorry about that, little man. I'll get there.
You are awake more often now, averaging about 1 hour to 75 minute stretches. It's delightful to play with you while you hang out on the change table, and I've started bringing you around the house with me instead of staying in your nursery with me. (It didn't make sense to try and do things with you while you were awake - you'd be asleep in a few minutes and I want you to fall asleep in your crib.)
You're taking more notice of dangling toys, especially Dangle Frog. The other day you were actually reaching out and making him jingle while we were driving! I'm going to start using your bouncy chair more, too, and there are dangly friends on that. You can track a toy that you are interested in, and you are growing more interested in Sophie the Giraffe - especially her very nomable ears.
We've got a pretty good thing going at night - you generally give me a 4 hour stretch, meaning we only get up once a night with you. And generally you get back to sleep pretty well after that middle-of-the-night feeding.
I still take you pretty much everywhere with me. This week alone we've been to O'Grady's for a snack, to Billings to run some errands, to the grocery store, and to Daddy's work to bring him some lunch. We also went to the Well Baby Clinic, and we had a special visitor! Grandma came with us, which was great.
I think you laughed for me this week, darling, and even if you didn't, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. You smile a lot now, and show your joy with your face and eyes. It's really delightful to watch you. You seem like a really happy little guy, which makes me happy.
I'm starting to think about taking you swimming. I bought you a little swim suit for the summer, and I'll get you some Little Swimmers diapers very soon. I'm a little concerned about the chlorine and your sensitive skin, but I'll talk to the doctor about that on Tuesday, too.
I'm excited about our summer together, darling! This is such a special time with you that I want to make it really wonderful for both of us. Let's get ready for all kinds of adventures! I love you so much. But you know that, I tell you so often. :)
