jacob at two months

(finally posting the following, which I began on Jacob's two-month birthday, and just had a chance to complete tonight...)

Just wanted to jot down a few thoughts about baby Jacob as he turned two months old today.

Even though he is our fourth child, even though I've been a pediatrician for eleven years now, and even though most children progress through the same developmental stages, I am acutely aware that each child's journey is uniquely his/her own.  Jacob's first two months have been no exception.  I believe that the experience of having three older children has significantly altered––in a mostly very positive way–– my experience of mothering this infant.

From the moment his siblings met him in the hospital, when he was only a few hours old, they have loved him with such a completeness that it surprises me.  And as with many relationships, time has strengthened their already strong connection.

Joshua, our tween who is reticent to "ooh and ahh" over a baby or ever speak of things like cuteness, is clearly smitten by this little guy.  He is eagerly greets Jacob with a good morning each day, anxiously awaits a turn to hold him or feed him a bottle, speaks with amazement at how cute he is, and often mentions how great it is to hear Jacob coo and "talk" to him.  "Mom, when I was holding him, he cooed like 20 times!"  And this big, growing boy, who rarely lets his sisters embrace or kiss him, takes the time every evening to come and kiss his baby brother and wish him a good night (and also adds an instructional "without too many wake-ups for Mom").

And––make no mistake––those two big sisters fiercely love Jacob as well.  Madison, little mommy #1, who once swore that she'd never change a dirty diaper, now begs to change Jacob's diapers as often as possible.  What a dream for me!  She watched me for the first several weeks, asking questions and observing closely as I repeated that ever-so-frequent task when he was a newborn.  And after carefully taking mental notes, she tried on her own and is now quite proficient at it herself.  What a sweet help this is for me.  This is so typical for Madison, who is naturally such a caring and helpful soul.  She assists with getting Jacob dressed, is always available to run up or down the stairs to grab whatever I've forgotten, and is constantly asking what more she can do.  She also often asks when Jacob will be big enough for her to carry him around while walking.

Caroline, little mommy #2, has her own sense of how to care for Jacob, and I've got to admit, she does a pretty good job.  From the start, she has enjoyed tucking him into his swing, car seat, or bassinet, carefully arranging his blanket and burp cloth and assuring that he is comfortable and happy.  She's like a mini-flight attendant just for him :).  She also loves to fold his clothes, she's often the only one who can get him calmed by giving him his paci, and she does a great job of holding him on the boppy as frequently as she can.  The only downside is that I sometimes fear that her outpouring of affection may cause Jacob to catch a virus or cold, so I feel like I'm constantly reigning her in with the kisses and hugs and über closeness to his little face.  But I am so very happy that she seems to feel not the least bit replaced, but instead has opened her sweet and loving heart as a wonderful sister and caregiver to Jacob.

Okay, and as for our sweet two month old himself, he is doing great.  His sleep (which seems to be my primary focus!) is steadily getting better.  After heeding the advice of a good pediatrician buddy back in South Carolina, I've taken that baby out of the swing during the day and encouraged/taught/prayed him to sleep in his bassinet in the daytime as well.  This has resulted in a baby who is often (with some exceptions for sure) able to get himself to sleep in just a few minutes both during the day and at night.  He breastfeeds about every 3 hours during the day and every three to four hours at night.  {I said better, not perfect!}  And his personality continues to be as gentle and sweet as the day he was born.  He loves to smile at everyone in the family, sharing that adorable dimple just to the left of his mouth.  And he's cooing and "talking" much more these days.  He is growing with the rapidity that only infants do, having increased his birthweight by 30% in just these two months!  At his two month checkup, his weight was 12 pounds, 10 ounces, and his length was 24 inches.  And yes, after the initial slow weight gain, our little man is nursing like a champ, is clearly more comfortable since starting zantac for his reflux, and has turned into a "happy spitter," as we say in pediatrics.  He still spits up, a lot, but since he's comfortable, we don't need any other intervention.  I just walk around with a burp cloth on my shoulder at all times and a change of clothes nearby.  No one is surprised to see a puddle of milk splattered where Jacob and I have recently walked, and I have returned to the sport of spit-up-dodging, perfecting the forward dash and swerve anytime I feel those gurgles coming :)

Yes, all in all, though I am tired, though I feel like there are still not enough hours in the day to complete all the homeschooling, cooking, laundry, emailing, phone calling, blogging, or resting that I'd like to do...all in all things are good.  Challenging and busy, but altogether so very good.  And I am filled with so very much gratitude.  It's all a gift...every single part.

And we know that in all things God works

 for the good of those who love him,

 who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28