3 Month Update

3 Months

 6.5 kilograms  (14.3 pounds)

62 centimeters  (24.41 inches)

Likes:

   smiling and giggling

"talking"

being naked 

 morning walks 

bath time 

his Animals book 

sucking his thumb 

Guess who is already three months old?! Josh and I have been a little sentimental the past few weeks as we think about how quickly our boy is growing up. Where did our little newborn go?

This month was full of sweet memories. I would say it’s been my favorite month of being a mommy so far. Isaiah loves to laugh and smile and talk and he’s just a joy to be around. This month he went to his first wedding, first day trip to the beach, and first youth camp. We celebrated our first Mother’s Day and had our first camp-out (I’ll explain more of that later).

Isaiah has really shown out this month as he smiles and giggles at almost everyone who talks to him. He has really gained neck strength and holds his head up for several minutes before becoming tired. It seemed like it happened overnight. Josh and I were so surprised when he started holding his head up so much. He loves to look around and see everything that’s going on around him. He still doesn’t like tummy time, but he’s able to move his head around a good bit while lying there. However, he absolutely will not lift himself up with his arms.

Sweet thing found himself in the mirror and he loves to watch me talk to him there. He’s also starting to become more interested in books, especially the soft Animals book that his Nomma gave him. He loves when his Daddy gets to the crocodile page. He isn’t really into toys and would rather look at or grab my face instead. However, if we hold a burp cloth in front of the electric fan, he will watch it blow all day!

The most exciting thing I think that happened this month (2 days after he turned 3 months actually, but I’m late writing this so it counts!) was that Isaiah rolled over for the first time! I mentioned that he doesn’t like tummy time so we knew he wouldn’t be rolling tummy to back anytime soon, but he had been rolling over from his back to his side a lot. He just couldn’t seem to get his butt over! But we had him laying on the table beside us while we ate lunch (no pack-n-plays or swings around here so he’s often on a mat I made on our table) and he was SO close. We both put down our forks and started cheering him on. It scared him when he plopped over, but he rolled!

Our little man is developing his own preferences so it’s fun to learn what he likes and dislikes. He thinks he is too big to be held down in the sweet baby cradle position and wants you to hold him up like a big boy so he can see. Earlier this month Isaiah started sucking his fists. He loves his hands and started preferring them to his paci. Within the past week or so he has transitioned from putting his hand in his mouth to full-blown thumb sucking. We try to keep his hands out of his mouth since we’re outside so much here, but o man, he loves his thumb. I realize this is totally taboo in America, but don’t worry, we don’t plan on letting him suck his thumb until he’s 6. Right now it's pretty stinkin' cute. He also loooooves to be naked. Take his clothes and diaper off and he will kick and squirm himself silly in delight.

He is growing like a weed and has outgrown several outfits in the past week. He is currently wearing 3-6 month sized clothes. He still eats about every hour and a half but occasionally goes three hours between feedings. I’m convinced the heat causes him to eat more often so that he stays hydrated. While I feel like I’m nursing all the time, I’m thankful it’s able to help him stay cool and hydrated. And for the spit-up issues I mentioned in the previous monthly updates, it’s all but gone. I feel like he spits up like a normal baby now ha.

The bad part of this month was the brutal summer heat of the Philippines. I’ve seriously wondered a few times if I’ll make it through the month of May. I remember thinking the same thing last year, but this year seems SO much hotter. Maybe it’s the little person who stays on me all the time? Nonetheless, due to the heat and several days of no electricity, which meant no electric fans, Isaiah developed a pretty bad heat rash. Even though we kept him naked for a few hours each day and only wore a diaper the rest of the day, we couldn’t beat that stupid rash. I finally researched some natural home remedies. Baking soda baths, cornstarch in the diaper, lots of naked time, and a whole lot of prayer finally kicked that thing in the butt. It never seemed to irritate him at all; he was as happy as ever, but we sure were glad to see it go. It broke my heart to see those little red bumps all over his booty. I mentioned our first camp out earlier. It was also heat induced. One of the brown-outs lasted through a very hot night. Because there were no fans, the air in our room was dry and still. It was so stuffy. At 10pm it was still miserably hot, so Josh hung up our eno hammock outside, we zipped up the mosquito net on Isaiah’s bassinet, moved out to the yard, and called it a night. I felt so much better out there not worrying that he would overheat. We came back in before the night was over because I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes in my hammock, but it did feel a little cooler in the house by then. The lack of electricity may drive his mom and dad nuts, but our little man is holding up quite well.

As for Isaiah’s sleep, we are quite blessed. He doesn’t consistently take a morning nap, but just cat naps until around 2pm when he usually conks out for a couple of hours. He had a few weeks where he only woke once during the night, but lately he has been waking twice. Since we’re breastfeeding on demand, I don’t imagine he’ll be sleeping through the night anytime soon, but I’m okay with that. He’s super easy during the night. He wakes me up with little cooing sounds, eats, and dozes right back to sleep. Around 5 or so every morning he ends up in the bed with us, but if I lay and cuddle with him he’ll usually go back out until 7 or so. One of the best parts of the day is watching him wake up with the biggest grin on his face.  

 Isaiah, I'm watching you wake up from a nap right now and I feel like time is flying before my eyes. You're so big! I love watching you grow. You are the cutest thing with the softest skin and sweetest smile. Your little giggle is completely contagious. I hope that you're always as happy as you are now and that your joy will be deeply rooted in the Lord Jesus. Your daddy and I are learning so much about God's love for us as we love you. And just think, He loves you way more than we ever could! We praise God for you baby boy. Thanks for the joy you bring to our lives. 

Love, Mama

Isaiah,  I'm even later than your mom on writing this.  You'll see that she typically seems to have her stuff together more than I do.  Not that she always does, but it typically seems to be that way.  Anyway, we went on our 2nd anniversary date today without you and discussed how we wouldn't trade being parents for what the world says not having kids offers.  In our small taste of get away time, we saw very quickly how our family is just not complete without you.  I feel sorry for the people who have believed the lies of the world and chose so-called "freedom" over children.  Isaiah, you are very special to us and we are still praying for you to grow and mature, especially in godliness.  You have been so blessed with the mom God gave you.  You already know this to an extent, but you'll know it more deeply with time.

Love you bud, Dad