The Rhodes Family: Two Months and Growing

Two months and growing very quickly! We visited with our favorite pediatrician today. We love seeing Dr. Huie. And even more, we love hearing good news about our baby boy. Thomas gained two pounds this past month and grew an inch and 1/4. So, he is now 12lbs 7oz and is 23 3/4 inches long. He is definitely growing in many ways! We have seen so many changes in him over the past month. His little personality is starting to come out. Thomas has started smiling. In fact, we are convinced he knows the word smile already! Such a smart boy! :) All you have to do is smile really big and in a squeaky, high-pitched southern voice say "Smile," and you will get a good smile! See... he knows the word (I also firmly believe he understands the word milk). He also smiles just on his own and at random things like the ceiling fan, his newest friend! Thomas has also discovered his hand. One night we awoke to him smacking down on his little fist. Must say it is pretty cute to hear him chewing away on his hands. Thomas likes to talk to us. He is talking more and more- lots of "oooos" and "aaahs". Getting in those vowel sounds. And finally, he can roll over from belly to back! We are working on tummy time as much as we can. Some days we get it in and other days we don't. Thomas has always had great head strength and can keep his head up when he is over our shoulder (his favorite postion). So, we didn't do much tummy time to begin with. Then, guilt took over this Mommy and I started worrying that I wasn't doing as much with Thomas as I had with Tucker, so we have started having daily tummy time!

I wouldn't say that we are totally on a schedule yet. With Tucker, we were able to easily get on a schedule. But now, I must say, Thomas tends to be more on Tucker's schedule than on his own. I think once school starts back up, Thomas will be able to get on more of his schedule. Right now, he tends to eat his last evening meal around 9 or 10pm. He then sleeps til 3 or 4 or 5 depending on the night. He can sleep through the night but we aren't pushing it yet. Then he awakes again around 6 depending on what time he last ate. He then might sleep or might not- depends on if brother is up bothering him or if he is wanting to stay awake for a bit. But he will typically nap in there again before lunch and after. Then come afternoon he tends to have a good stretch of staying awake. By dinner time though, he is worn out and naps again (with much help) and naps on and off during the evenings. Of course all of that is on a good day! We still deal with some fussy times in the evening but feel it is more of being over tired than anything else. Poor boy tries to sleep but his active brother can sometimes alter that sleeping. Plus, Thomas LOVES Tucker and likes to watch what he is doing!

Thomas also had an appointment with an ENT last week. We had his tongue checked out and have decided to have it clipped come 6 mos. Even though he is growing and doing well with his eating, we worry of what the future could bring in terms of Thomas' self image and speech. So, with the advice of a wonderful ENT, we are going to have his "tongue tied" tongue clipped in a few months. Will keep you posted on that as we get closer to time.

Below you'll find a few shots from the past few weeks!

The boys on Father's Day