Month2

October 1, 2000
Well Monday, October 2nd marks Alexander 6-week birthday!
He is starting to really smile now and it's indescribable! We are also better able to recognize his different cries. I can tell when he's hungry, when he needs a diaper change or when he is tired. I never thought I'd be able to tell the difference, they all sounded the same for so long. But - they are in fact a little different.
We had a visit to the doctor this week. Alexander has had some "goopy" eyes for awhile and I was a little concerned. The doctor said he has clogged tear ducts (apparently very common). He gave us some ointment to rub on the corners and rims of his eyes to help clear it up. Right now, he cries out of the outside corner of his eyes and we are constantly wiping out the "goop". It is getting a little better with the use of the ointment. While at the doctor's office, he was weighed. Our little guy is up to 9 lb. 5 oz. We were able to move to the next diaper size!
We went on a walk almost every day and it is beginning to change to Cold and Rainy weather now so we may not get very many more outdoor walks in.

As for music class - went great. I think he is really enjoying it. Brian and I sing songs from it all the time and get lots of great coos and smiles out of him. I need to get my microphone working on my computer so I can include some soundbytes of the little guy!

October 15, 2000
Hello everyone --
I am going to start doing these on a monthly basis, rather than on a weekly basis. But, I will continue to update the pictures on the yahoo site so you can see how he is growing!

Everything is going great. He is smiling lots now and I've been trying like crazy to get it on camera but I tend to get to into playing and loving the smile that by the time I grab the camera he has changed moods. I think his hair is getting a little lighter too. I swear there are even a few blond hairs in there. He is looking like such a little boy! I absolutely love having him in our life and being able to spend so much time with him.

We are continuing to take walks almost every day, but the weather is beginning to turn. I think our future walks will start being in the mall! I'll feel a little dorky as a mall walker and I will need to learn to not spend money everytime I go, but we shall see how it goes.

I recently purchased a video for Alexander, entitled "Baby Mozart". If you are not familiar with it, it's great. A little silly if you watch it, but good. It's all based on the "Mozart Effect", which I don't hold to be 100% true, but I think it is somewhat good. To sum it up: There is a theory that if a baby is exposed to classical music, they will be smarter. Personally, I think exposing a baby or child to all forms of music can only lead to good, but I digress from the tape.... So, the tape consists of 30 minutes of classical music pieces with pictures of puppets, toys, metronomes and an assortment of other things. Some of them move and some are stationery. It's very simple. Alexander is mesmerized when the tape goes on. There are other tapes in the series that apply to language and color and I may purchase them down the line if I think he really is into this one.
He is also getting better control of his hands. He can hold a rattle and he manages to take his pacifier out of his mouth sometimes.

As for his sleeping....I think his growth spurt is still going on. He is continuing to get up every 3-3 1/2 hours every night to eat. I've learned how to nurse while laying down. Tricky, but possible. I'm hoping he goes back to sleeping for a 5-6 hour stretch. He did it for a few days and it was very nice.

We had a visitor last weekend, my mom. It was great. Alexander got to spend some time with his "Nana Nita". They both really enjoyed eachother. In fact, Brian and I actually left the house for two hours while my mom babysat. It was our first time out without Alexander. Granted, I called twice, but all went very well.

We are looking forward to flying back East to introduce Alexander to the family.

October 24, 2000
Alexander had his two month check-up today. He weighed-in at 11 lbs. 10 oz. and is 23 3/8" long. He is ranking in the 50% for both length and weight. So - everything is going well in those areas.

He had four of his immunization shots today and there have been no problem. They did the shots in less than 30 seconds total, gave him a little Tylenol and that was that. I fed him right afterwards and he hasn't been fussy since.
We have finished our music classes for this quarter and I plan to start them again when we return from vacation. We are also planning to join a local MOMS group too.

We leave for RI/NY tomorrow and I hope the plane ride goes well.
I hope everyone is well.