A Few Goodmans: August 2013

We have all shared so many fun times during Tessa's first month life on the outside. Our family is happier than ever! Jonah loves his little sister and is an sweet and loving big brother. Seeing him snuggle her and care for her just warms our hearts.

Growth: Jonah seems like he has grown about 20 pounds, but chances are he's about the same as last month. That's what a little sister will do for ya! Here he is checking out Tessa's basket, followed by a few pictures of Tessa which we hope to re-create periodically throughout the year so we can really share her growth.

Tessa has grown from 7 pounds at birth (6 lbs, 5 oz at 3 days old) to 8 lbs, 10 oz, putting her into the 50th %ile. Her length was 20 inches at the hospital, but we think they must have counted her hair or something, because at her doctor's visit at 3 days old, she measured 18 1/2 inches, and is now 19 3/4 inches, putting her at the 10th %ile for length. She is wearing newborn sizes and a few 0-3M sizes.

Goofy boy...

Tessa next to Samantha, who is 18 inches

Dressed in their summer dresses

Wearing a size 3 month outfit

Sleep: Jonah continues to do well in the toddler bed, with the crib still in hiding. He hasn't been asking for it, but we don't need it yet for Tessa, who is sleeping in the Rock and Play Sleeper that Jonah used as a newborn as well. Tessa has been doing about as well as one can hope when you're a month old. She spends much of the day sleeping in someone's arms, a car seat, or bouncy seat, and at night she nurses and then falls right asleep after feeding around 10:30, 3, and 6. The first week she was sleepy enough to go longer stretches, and a few nights she was waking a little more often and fussing, but with the help of occasional anti-gas drops, she seemed more comfortable. The current routine leaves us pretty tired, but really, it's about as good as it gets when your tummy is so tiny! We SO miss being able to nod back off to sleep after that 6 am feeding now that we have a baby and toddler that's not so easy. Jonah has been waking up around 8 or 8:30. It is hard, but it is only for now, and so is all the good stuff, so we are just trying to get by with that thought in mind.

Sleeping on Mommy

Sleeping aboard a raft at The Simons' pool

Sleeping outside

Eating: Jonah continues to eat, well, all of it. He still loves dried fruit, and requests "raisins, prunes, and dates" after his meal. We have enjoyed several trips out for ice cream, it being summer in Bexley and all. Tessa is working her way towards ice cream with her very own personal dairy product from her Mama. She's a real locavore! She has been consistently nursing very well every 3 hours during the day, cluster feeding (more frequently) in the evenings, and doing that nice first stretch between feedings overnight. We will try a bottle of breast milk with her soon. Julian is very helpful and supportive, and Jonah is very interested and likes to help however he can. He narrates "she's drinkin' some milk" every time and likes to place his hands on her head to help.

On a "Mommy Jonah date" before Tessa came at Milestone 229

"Eating some brown ice cream with sprinkles with Ella!"

Drinking a virgin Margarita. He called it ice cream.

This is how Jonah "helps" Tessa nurse

Enjoying some milk and a cheese sandwich from the dairy barn at the fair while
Tessa visits her very own personal dairy barn off camera.

Cool dude

Jonah studying the cow and her newborn calf.
He learned that the cows make milk for Jonah and the baby calves.

Lindsay and Cara nurse their babies out in the fresh air

Personality: Jonah is still out sweet, funny, smart little dude. This month he has shown us that he is also very nurturing; he loves his "baysista Tessa" and is a wonderful big brother! He wants to do everything with Tessa, and wants her to do everything with him. He is starting to understand her abilities and limits, but has asked that she do everything from ride in the wagon, to climb up the stool, to play with a hammer. He does not seem frustrated that the answer is often "not yet." He loves checking out her every move and announcing accordingly "she's sleeping," "she's drinking some milk," "she's waking up," or "I hear her crying." With the latter, he will go to her side and pat her head, kiss her, and try to soothe her. He likes to brush her hair after bath, which involves Jonah, in a hoooded towel (or not) on a step stool, at her changing area. Tessa is a chill girl and likes looking up at fans, lights, and will sometimes lock in on a face. The bath relaxes her...sometimes so much she thinks it's a diaper. She has shown us a few little smiles in the wee hours of the morning. She gets a bit fussy in the evenings, but generally doesn't cry a lot. She does not stay awake for long at this point.

In a dog towel, brushing her hair

Making her feel better

Sharing Daddy's lap

He loves sharing "tummy time"

Jonah likes to "drive" Daddy's car. He wanted Tessa to drive.

Showing her the wonders on Daddy's phone

Wanted her in the wagon

Practicing holding his own baby doll, "Doll"

Jonah likes playing with friends (or, more accurately, getting excited to see a friend, playing alongside them, then talking about their play date), gymnastics, reading books, the playground, trucks, and finally the pool. He has become more comfortable in water after a summer swimming at camp and exploring at a more leisurely pace at Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Larry's pool.

On the rings at "Gymnakstis claks"

Decidedly NEXT TO and not in the water at the splash pad

Cool dude on the playground

Trying to pull off his head. We have no freakin' clue why.

Shucking sweet corn

Tee-ball champ

He has started to read to himself sometimes

At the pool with Mimi, Mommy, Tessa, Ainsley, and Jillian

Fun cousins play date with Ella, Ainsley, and Jillian

Loooooves to watch traffic pass by

Jumping off the stool

"Knock knock, peep in, turn the latch, walk in, how
do you do Mr. Chinny Chin Chin?"
From Ma

Book of the moment: Little Blue Truck

Milestones:

Jonah is working up a storm in his gymnastics classes and can actually get a little air when he jumps (more than Dad). He has started reading books to himself and has several memorized.

Tessa is working on her head control and looks like she's really focusing her eyes more and more.

Focusing on a fan

Events:

Before Tessa was born we got to celebrate July 4th! Grandma and Grandpa came into town for the weekend and Jonah really loved sharing the festivities with them. He got a big thrill out of all of the trucks in the parade, especially the Blocks Bagels truck which threw a bagel to him (only in Bexley!). We then had a great brunch at Mary and Greg's, then pool party at Cheryl and Larry's. Jonah actually got in the water! The rest of the weekend is spelled out in our last post!

Since then we have had a lot visitors and fun times with friends and family. We have not let having a new baby tie us down one bit. We have been all over the place, enjoying time together, and soaking up the summer. Tessa and Jonah got ice cream with Ella (and Carmen) at both Johnson's and Jeni's (Michael was in town for Jeni's too). We had lots of playdates with friends. Sorry we didn't get pictures of everyone togegeh! They also got a new friend this month, Allison's little brother Ian. We got up to their new home for his bris. We made a trip to the zoo where Jonah really enjoyed seeing all the monkeys and learned that flamingos are pink from eating shrimp and manatees eat salad. Tessa slept peacefully in the stroller. We went to the fair not once, but twice! Jonah really enjoyed the model trains as well as the animals. We got to see a horse-drawn carriage competition involving 84 horses! He got to indulge in some fair food including fried cheese, fried sweet potatoes, and fried dough. Healthy!