Joseph Stephen - Five Months Old

 

 Joseph,

During the past month, you have developed many new skills! It seems as if you are learning something new every single day. I cannot believe how quickly you are growing! First, the basics - you are wearing six to nine month clothes and weigh approximately 18 pounds. You are still a very good eater and consume between six and eight ounces of formula. However, you are still waking up once or twice during the night. After eating though, you go right back to sleep. In addition, you are still taking a couple of short naps and typically one longer nap during the day.

Everything you can reach goes into your mouth! Even though we cannot see any little teeth yet, I do not believe that it will be long before your pearly whites break through. We really have to be aware of what is in your reach and even out of your reach because if you can grab it, it will end up in your mouth. The fact that you are becoming so mobile has made this even more important. When laying on the floor, you are getting very proficient at traveling by rolling over multiple times to get to your desired location. Sometimes, you even roll over so many times that you end up on the wood floor, and this makes you very mad! You are also able to travel very well in your walker. You have become very skilled at navigating your walker around the house and following everyone! It is very cute, because your little legs and arms get moving and propel you to your desired location!



Teething

You seem to have a couple of favorite toys. Your Moose is always within reach and keeps you entertained for quite some time. You enjoy shaking him, biting his ears, and pulling on his legs and arms. You also sometimes can be found playing with your pacifier. You usually only use the pacifier when you are tired. It seems to help you relax and sleep when you get tired and cranky. However, when you are not tired and the pacifier is within reach, you enjoy playing with it by taking it out of your mouth, examining it, moving it from hand to hand, and placing it back into your mouth. You repeat this process regularly!

When you were a couple of months old, you developed eczema. At first, we are able to keep the skin problem somewhat under control. During the past month though, it has become very irritating for you. In fact, it has become so irritating that you have begun scratching yourself. The scratching is the worst when you are asleep. You will go to sleep without any marks and wake up looking like a cat has scratched your scalp, forehead, and cheeks. It is pitiful! To try to relieve your discomfort, we have started using a laundry detergent that is free of any dyes or perfumes, only bathe you when absolutely necessary, and have stopped using any soap when we bathe you. In addition, I have been keeping your finger nails clipped very short to try to minimize the severity of the cuts. On occasion, we will also place a stocking cap on your head and socks on your hands so you cannot scratch as easily; this has not been a popular treatment option with you though. It makes you very made when you have to wear socks on your hands! We have also experimented with various ointments and creams suggested by doctors, friends, and the Internet to try to give you some relief. So far, we have not had much luck, but will continue searching until we can make you more comfortable!

We love you very much!

Mommy and Daddy




Brotherly Love