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March 30, 2004
Preview of Gus' 2nd Iowa trip
I haven't had time to do a full re-cap (maybe tonight) as I've gone to bed at 9:30 two nights in a row. I get up early, what can I say?
Here's the best pic of Gus yet, sitting on my aunt Pat's lap
Posted by janna at 07:08 AM
March 23, 2004
Grasping
Yesterday Gus actually did it! John held up these small, plastic rings in front of Gus. He reached out and discovered that he, too, has opposable thumbs! It was so amazing to watch. His concentration, his joy...I use my hands so much that I don't even think anymore about how amazing it is to be able to use them. Thankfully Gus is slowing us down a bit and reminding us of all these amazing little things.
Posted by janna at 10:09 PM
March 22, 2004
Toys
Gus really notices toys now. It doesn't need to be much. If I dangle colorful rings above him, he'll stare and kick and trash about...but then, the movement will instantly stop as he diverts all energy and concentration to bringing up his arms slowly and precisely toward the rings. It looks like tai chi, so slow and methodical. When his hands miss their target, they end up in his mouth and once again the kicking begins....and then stops. It's amazing to watch and I wish I could see all the new connections being made inside his brain. He's also beginning to understand cause and effect, especially with his kick and play. If he kicks the music comes on, so every time it stops, he pauses, then kicks again. At daycare, Christina said there is this musical bar above his basinette that he can reach. He's figured out that he has to hit it with his hand to make the music come on. I watched him do it the other day. He appears to stop and contemplate that the music has stopped. He's very still, then suddenly his hand shoots up and bam, the music is on again. Amazing!
We're getting so excited for our trip to Iowa on Friday!
Posted by janna at 07:02 AM
March 21, 2004
Oh hair, where are you going?
All three of us are suffering hair loss in one form or another.
Gustav is experiencing some thinning of his beautiful locks, mainly around the top, while all along the hairline it's as long as ever.
My hair is just shedding like mad. I thought that was supposed to happen while I was pregnant, but what do I know about hormones.
The most dramatic hair loss of all...
Before:
During...or after? I'll leave you to wonder.
Yesterday we had a pact. We decided we would not put Gus in the car. It has been so long since we've just stayed home. Such a relief. We took a two-hour walk and Gus slept in the Bjorn the whole time. Zeppo was so happy, too. Happy spring!
Last Thursday we were fortunate enough to take part in a surprise birthday party for Alex. Gus was passes around, and he took it all very well. Here's Gus with the birthday boy...
Posted by janna at 07:57 AM
March 17, 2004
Grasping
A milestone...grasping something and not letting go! Okay so I put the rattles in his hands, but Gustav would not let go! He didn't even bop his head!
Gus had his first official stint in his crib last night, and he did really well, sleeping for an initial 4 1/2 hour stretch. His cradle is getting a bit cramped for him.
Another first was voting! Gus joined me for his first direct lesson in democracy last night as we voted in our primary. He belched very loudly as we waited in line, to which one man replied ever-so-seriously, "...I know how you feel..."
Posted by janna at 07:00 AM | Comments (1)
March 14, 2004
14 weeks!
I guess at some point weeks are less meaningful and months become the thing to count, but regardless, the time is flying.
I looked over at Gus sleeping tonight and saw such a little boy...he's starting to lose that infant look and his face is looking older somehow. His hair is seeming more red now, and people are starting to say he looks like me (although three times more say he looks like John...I think it's safe to say he looks like us, tee hee). His eyes are still a light slate blue, but definitely lighter than they have been.
We went to visit Jenn (John's cousin) and Ryan today, and Gus wore the Bates College outfit they gave him, so cute. We had a great time and were so glad more family members had the chance to meet Gus. In a month we'll be going to a wedding in Cincinnati where Gus will meet a large part of the DeVylder clan (also get to meet Maggie, John's cousin' Karen's baby, who was born the day after Gus!). The McLeland clan will meet Gus in two weeks when we drive back to Iowa, and some of my dear college friends will also hopefully meet Gus. The Gus 2004 tour, coming to a town near you.
Here's Gus with Jenn and Ryan...Gus just woke up, so he was slightly confused!
Posted by janna at 11:21 PM
March 10, 2004
All is good on the doctor front
Today was Gus' three-month check-up, including the beloved polio vaccine.
Stats:
13 lbs!
23 1/2 inches
The doctor said Gus looks great. We're both on new meds for thrush (hopefully this will clear up soon), but other than that, everything sounded and looked good with Gus. Next month we'll start talking about starting Gus on solids, if that seems necessary. We can wait up until 6 months, but we'll see if I can keep up with this boy.
Last night was a milestone for us... Gus slept for seven straight hours, 8:30 to 3:30! I was shocked when I woke up to him crying. I thought it was maybe midnight. Wonderful.
Gus is just kicking, kicking, kicking up a storm! When he gets excited, his eyes get really big and his arms and legs just start flailing. It's the best thing ever. Pure joy.
Check out John's beard!
It's official...our first peanut!
Posted by janna at 10:29 PM | Comments (1)
March 08, 2004
Elusive poop no longer
Last Saturday night our friends Ben and Maddie offered to watch Gus for us while we went out for a nice meal. When we arrived at their place to drop Gus off, we warned them that Gus hadn't pooped since Tuesday...so, of course, he waits for us to leave and five minutes later gives his gracious hosts a gift. I rarely see poop anymore since he usually poops at daycare. Is Gus just ultra considerate of us or do we constipate him? Tee hee.
Posted by janna at 10:22 PM
March 06, 2004
Three months old!
Today Gustav is officially three months old!
This pic was taken a few minutes ago.
It's been amazing to watch Gus grow. Mornings are still his happiest and most alert, although that seems to be extending to more of the day. We usually are up with him around 5:30 and talk and play with him until 6. It's my favorite part of the day because he just flails his legs, coos, and is really interactive.
When Gus is on his belly he easily moves his head back and forth really quickly. When on his back, Gus pulls his legs up to his chest and is seeming to try to build up momentum for turning over. He can move from his back to his side, and sometimes he the goes on his belly, but I don't think it qualifies as an official roll over. Am I wrong?
He's very engaged when we talk to him and he seems to be picking up the concept of conversation; that is, he's starting to get the whole cause and effect of it. When he makes noise, we respond, and he gets excited by that.
Daycare is also going well. He seems to really love the women there, and Christy, the woman who runs the place, seems taken with Gus. He's eating about 16 oz. of milk, up 4 oz from when we started. That means more pumping, but it's worth it. I'm finally in a routine now with pumping at work, and have found a place where I can plug in my laptop and continue working as I pump. Such a multitasker. I'm just glad that I work at a place that is very supportive of me continuing to nurse Gus.
Poop is an elusive thing these days, I must say. We went from five a day, to one a day, to now waiting anxiously for one to show up after four days. He doesn't seem to be in pain or anything, I think we're more anxious about it than he is, but it might just be how his body is working these days. I even cut out dairy for a while, thinking maybe he was having difficulty with the dairy I was eating, but that doesn't seem to be the problem. There may be no problem! He is taking medicine for thrush, so I wonder about that, too... he still has a cold, but it seems to get better on some days. We go to the doctor next Wednesday for his 3 month check up and shots. Fun fun.
Tonight John and I are going out to dinner and Ben and Maddie are watching Gus. Our first night out!
We're going to try to get some video of him up here so we can preserve his wonderful soundmaking skills!
Posted by janna at 05:09 PM | Comments (1)