Alex

So many things have changed in one month! Alex is eating and sleeping on a pretty stable schedule. He is awake more during the day and is more aware of what is going on around him. He isn’t sleeping through the night quite yet but we’re almost there! He is still sleeping in the pack-n-play bassinet next to our bed at night but the last two days I have put him in the crib in the boys’ bedroom for naps.

He is able to play with small toys if they are put into his hand. He is also able to bat things that hang above him. He got a toy for Christmas that has a part that turns and he has learned to make it go around. He is also smiling and laughing a lot more. I am still trying to get a good picture of him smiling. When he is really happy, he smiles a huge smile that is just the cutest thing to see! He also has a tiny little dimple on the left side near his mouth. It really only shows up when he smiles his big grin but maybe it will show anytime he smiles later on.

I have started doing tummy time, floor time, story time, music time and play time with him. This allows him to learn to entertain himself and get a bit of exercise but still gives me lots of time with him.

In the last month, he has started clasping his hands in front of his chest when laying down. He also puts one fist (and sometimes both) straight up in the air. Sometimes he looks like he is getting ready to box someone! I have pictures of him on our new digital camera so as soon as I get the software loaded on my computer I will post pictures.

Today (Jan 15th), he rolled from front to back for the first time! I caught him just as he rolled over (I was making dinner) and he looked so surprised! He is also trying hard to roll over from back to front!

He enjoys bath time a lot! He gets this certain expression that I don’t see any other time when he’s in the water. It’s sort of a cross between being surprised and maybe just a tiny little bit scared. But he waves his arms and kicks his legs and generally has a good time.

I think he is starting to understand a few signs. I am quite sure he understands MILK. I sign that to him before I feed him EACH and EVERY TIME. I’ve seen changes in his expression and/or behavior when I sign that to him. I’m also using DIAPER, BATH and EAT with him pretty consistently.

He doesn’t like to be left alone for very long if he’s awake. He got a little spoiled over Christmas when he was always being held by Grandma, Grandpa, an aunt or a girl cousin. Some of the uncles took turns holding him. I don’t think any of the boy cousins did but they thought he was cute too. So he still really enjoys being held. He also enjoys his swing. That is his place when we eat dinner (the swing is next to the table) until he is able to sit up in the high chair.

We love our little Alex very much and are so happy he is part of our family! We are having a great time with him!