Baby Joshua at swimming lessons

Baby Joshua splashin' in the tub

Swimming Lessons

Today was Joshua's first swimming lesson and he did very well. We got there late but jumped right in and started trying to get him to kick, he didn't but that's ok. Then we got a toy to try to get the to reach for and he did that, put something in front of him in the water or not and he will reach for it. This encourages them to put their arms out in front of them like they will do when they start swimming. Then we got in a circle and did three songs, the wheels on the bus, the hokey pokey and ring around the rosey. We did lots of movement, lifting him in and out of the water, moving him from side to side, front to back and splashing. Normally they wait until the second class but since all the babies were doing so well we actually had our first dunk. We did 4 choruses of ring around the rosey and each time dunked them a little more. In the first it was to their shoulders, then to their chin, then to their nose and then a full dunk. He did pretty well even though he was suprised he didn't cry, just complained a little bit but then he was fine. He didn't cry until we took him out of the water, he just loves the water.

There are about 12 parents & babies in the class. I'd say Joshua is the youngest or one baby girl might be younger than him but the oldest is no more than 2. So he'll do this class next summer too and then should be able to move to the toddler class. The younger babies were actually more content in the water than the toddlers. Jamie came and took pictures and video, I'll add the video later.

8 Months!

I have started working on a slideshow for Joshua's birthday and every time I see his newborn pictures I want to cry. Just 8 months ago he was this tiny little 7 pound baby in the NICU hooked up to wires and looking so helpless. Now he's not so helpless and has a very healthy set of lungs. I want to turn back time or at the very least pause it. Sometimes I just watch him sleep, my sweet innocent angel and I wonder how did he get so big so fast. Ok, enough of that. Here are some updates.

Eating
He is doing much better with baby food. He eats about 1 jar or container a day spilt into two feedings. In the morning he gets half a container and in the afternoon another half. Usually of two different things. I'm still trying out new things on him, new combinations. The new things he's had: mango, blueberry, cherry, orange & strawberry. Soon he's going to be trying: apricot, blackberry, plum & grape. He will now eat apple & sweet potato as well as pear & squash but try to get him to eat any veggie without a fruit mixed in it, forget it.

Sitting
He's doing better but still not all the way there yet. He can sit with his hands on the floor or on his legs to support him and for a few seconds he can sit without that support. Hopefully it won't be much longer before he can do it without support.

He's not interested in crawling or standing. He still doesn't really like to be on his stomach so I'm not sure he will crawl, he may just skip it as I did. He will stand for a few seconds but that's about it.

Sleeping
His naps are still catnaps although lately there have been a few long naps too. It seems that if he can manage to roll over while he's asleep he will nap longer, sometimes anyway. Nights are really all over the place. Some nights he'll sleep 12 hours without waking and others he'll sleep 9 with a lot of waking. Never really know what the night will bring but I am grateful for all the sleep I get.

He has finally started jumping in his jumperoo. He loves to kick so I knew it was only a matter of time before he was jumping. I'm not sure he knows what he's doing but all of a sudden he will go crazy and start bouncing up and down, it's so cute & funny!

This Saturday he starts swimming lessons. For the next 6 Saturday mornings we'll be at the YMCA for 30 minute lessons. He loves the water, we've been in the pool a lot so I'm hoping that works to our advantage.

That's about all I can think of right now. Joshua is stirring so I will probably have to go attend to him then it's bedtime for me.

Birthday Party Update

One of the Noah's Ark themes isn't available anymore so it looks like I have to pick this one. I am thinking about ordering it soon just in case it too becomes unavailable. I am also looking at other things I want to order so here's where you get to chime in with your opinion. Pick one of these high chair cover sets. It comes with the banner, floor mat & a plastic bib. Unfortunately none of them exactly match the theme, they don't have one that does. The t-shirts are $15 and I can't see spending that much for one when I can get one from Wal-Mart a lot cheaper. Same goes for the hats which he probably won't wear very long anyway.

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Invitations

I am now researching invitations for Joshua's birthday party. Opinions, please!

Animals 1
Animals 2

baby laughter

Milestones!

This was a pretty big weekend for Joshua. We didn't do anything special to celebrate the 4th but it still turned out to be a great weekend. So far he hasn't been doing that well with solid food. Well on Friday he tried apple & blueberry for the first time and seemed to like it pretty well. Saturday he seemed to like it even more so I thought I would try to give him what was left in the container on Sunday since if he didn't eat it I would have to toss it anyway. There was more than half the container so at least 2oz and HE ATE IT ALL! I am so happy and proud!! Not only did he eat it, he gobbled it up and made very little mess. For the first time, it was a pleasure feeding him!

I have been working with him for the past couple of months on sitting up. Well today he sat up unassisted for a minute! He is definately grasping the concept! Lately he hadn't been sleeping through the night all that well but last night he slept 12 hours once again! I guess all that work learning to sit up and eat solid food is tiring. Hopefully, now that he has started mastering these new skills, he will go back to his regular sleeping pattern.

Party Planning

I know I already posted this but I think I fixed it so you can post comments now. So now you can actually tell me which one you like best.

Noah's Ark

Whimsical Ark

Joshua loves his toes!

Trying to Sit-Up

Joshua - 7 months old