Fred: Month Three

Dear Fred,

Holy crap man - you're three months old. Your dad and I were just talking about how it seems like you just joined our family only yesterday, but that it also felt like you have been with us forever (and that would be true too, but is a different discussion for a different day).

I've become wiser this past month and have started to keep a bullet list of what's happening. You know my brain is getting slower due to lack of sleep! :)

Lots and lots of new things happened for you during your third month - some minor and some major.

Probably the most exciting thing for me, is that you have started to sleep more at night. This is an incredible accomplishment and feat! I didnt realize how wonderful I would feel after only just 5 or 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep! Shazam! I actually think I might be able to really handle being a mommy! YAY! Your naps during the day have started to cut back, and that's fantastic because you sleep more at night! YAY! YAY! YAY! Your Daddy learned that if he puts you into bed with him (on the other side of our King sized bed) in the room where he keeps it really dark and cool, you will sleep all day long with him. This of course brought much frustration over the next few days as your sleep schedule was off. It has however gotten back on track.

A definietly not so exciting for me is that I went back to work and you began your time at daycare. After a bit of research, referrals and opinion gathering, we chose the center where you would go while I'm at work. Though it's a center and not an in-home care person, they're wonderful to you and love you. The sweet ladies there love to hold and love on you. I'm often told that they parade you about because you're just so sweet and cute! You go to them three and a half days each week.

An exciting thing for you is that Wednesday afternoons are Aunt Kimmy and Freddy time. Your Aunt Kim so loves having this special time each week to spend with you. She loves you and loves to love on you! She absolutely adores it when you fall asleep laying on her, or in her arms. I'm glad that she lives close enough and has the time available to spend with you! It benefits us all!

Another great and exciting thing for you is that one day each week is your Daddy day! You get to spend all day long with Daddy while I am at work. So far, you and your Dad have gone on a few fieldtrips (Dad has a great appreciation for the work it takes to get things outside of the house done when you're along for the trip), and have taken lots of walks around our neighborhood.

Not so exciting and wonderful is that you got your first cold. Well, we (the doctor and I) thought it was just a cold - and perhaps it was. You had a little dry cough - no drainage, just a constant dry cough. Then, you started getting a wet cough and your eyes started to have some discharge so the pediatrician thought it would be best to get you on an eye antibiotic. Your eyes cleared up lickety split, but your cough remained. The doctor wanted to see you on a checkup because RSV and a bronchial infection are going around. Well, you didn't have either one of those but because your cough remained they decided it would be best to get you onto an oral antibiotic. It's working brilliantly for you and your cough has gone away. We have a few more days left, until it's gone. Lets keep our fingers crossed that it stays away!

A somewhat exciting thing for you, well for us all really, is that you started taking larger bottles (6-8 ounces) and are having a bit of cereal in your bottle each morning. You, my dear son, are a great eater. No one can doubt that! In fact, when I talked to the pediatrician and she asked how much you were eating, she thought it was too much. Then, she checked you out and realized why you eat so much. You're a fast growing boy! You've maintained the same growth pattern and schedule since birth and have grown 2 inches and 2 pounds again this month! That brings you to 27-1/2" inches tall and weighing in at almost 15 pounds! Most of the clothes you're wearing now are sized at 3-6 months (for one piece play/sleep outfits). Your legs are long but your waist remains slim. As such, your pants are sized 0-3 months, and we wear long socks with them so that you're kept covered and warm.

Another fun development for you this month is that you will make noises (I call it talking) to me. I've always sung silly songs to you and have talked to you in regular words, not in baby talk. Recently, you've started to talk back to me or with me when I'm singing to you. It's such fun - our first duets!

As for more exciting things that Daddy and I are noticing in you...

• You are becoming more interested in people now. You'll watch us and what we're doing - or at least you're looking in the direction of where we are.
• You're starting to become more interested in toys.
• You still detest tummy time. Sorry dude, you're going to have to go through it each day. We'll chalk it up to tough love. :)
• You have finally started to stay in your swing and enjoy it! This is a huge thing for me, as it allows me time to do things without holding you (which I do love to do!!).
• You coo and make other sweet baby noises without any provication on my part. I so love to listen to you prattle on for no reason at all!
• You're learning that the long bendy things attached to your body are hands and arms and that by moving them you can make other things move. Your body is an amazing thing!
• You've started to wiggle yourself about which normally means you're moving in your crib from one end to another. Or you could be turning your body around so that your head is at the foot of your bed.
• Bathtime remains your favorite time. Except, of course, when you're having mommy and daddy snuggling in bed time.

You are growing so darn fast, little Fred. At times when I'm holding you, I'll tell my heart and brain to remember this moments because it won't be long before you don't want to be held or cuddled. You'll be up and running about before I know it.

Fred-let, you are one of the greatest loves of my life. Though I may be exhausted or frustrated at times, I wouldn't change a moment of the last 3 months for anything. There is nothing I would rather be doing than spending time with you and watching you learn about yourself and the crazy world we live in!

Love you!
Mommy