Congrats! You've made it to the two-month mark. If you haven't ventured out alone yet, it's probably time to give it a shot. It's healthy for you to take a break, and it's also good for baby to meet new people. Entrusting baby to someone else for the first time can be scary, so make sure you already know the caregiver. Ask them to stick as close to baby's usual routine as possible so that there's some sense of normalcy while you're away.
Baby's motor skills and senses are developing like crazy.
Her hand-eye coordination is improving, she's starting to recognize specific sounds and sights, and is getting pretty darned good at holding up her head. Also this week: It's time for baby's two-month checkup! Your doc will check her overall growth and development and give a round of immunizations. (While some parents fear baby will get sick from vaccinations, most doctors believe the benefits outweigh the risk.)
Your baby can tell the difference between familiar voices and other sounds, and he's becoming a better listener. He can also show you that he's in tune with his environment. Notice how he looks to see where certain noises are coming from.
An ongoing conversation (although seemingly one-sided) can help your baby develop his sense of place. He may even watch your mouth as you talk, fascinated by how it all works. You'll be amazed by his ability to communicate with a growing repertory of coos (musical, vowel-like sounds), smiles, and unique cries to express his different needs.
Into complex designs
At this point, your baby will begin to move beyond his early preferences for bright or two-toned objects toward more detailed and complicated designs, colors, and shapes. Show your baby — and let him touch — a wider variety of objects. Good choices include plastic cookie cutters, soft balls, and stuffed animals.
Hear ye, hear ye
Your baby can differentiate familiar voices from other sounds and is becoming a better listener. He also can show you that he's in tune with his environment. Notice how he looks to see where certain noises are coming from.
An ongoing conversation (although still one-sided!) can help your baby develop his sense of place. He may even watch your mouth as you talk, fascinated by how it all works.
Note: If you have any doubt about your baby's hearing, don't hesitate to mention your concerns to your healthcare provider. Even though your baby's hearing may have already been tested, new problems can arise.
A helping hand
The chaotic first months are over and your baby's schedule is probably becoming more predictable. If you and your partner are raising your baby, it's important for both of you to get a chance to care for and bond with your baby. Make sure whichever one of you is not the primary caretaker gets regular time alone with your little one, for bathing him, changing him, and just getting tuned into his needs.
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Maggie's Highlights
Weight: 10lbs, 15.2 ounces
Length: 23 1/4 inches
Head: 15 1/4 inches
* Reaches for my shirt or hands and grips it tight
* Pulls heads up for 2-4 seconds before it drops back down
* Eats about 5.5 ounces every 3-4 hours
* Poops every other day, and when she does it usually twice in that day
* Enjoys sitting in her bouncy seat
* Usually gets hiccups after every feeding
* Burps sound like air going out of a balloon
* Loves her Binky only to sooth her at night or right before sleep time
* Sleeps in 4-5 hour stretches at night time in her crib
* Her toots are smelly. Everyone says she has a dirty diaper after she passes gas, but every time we check she is clean and it is just gas.
* She fits in 0-3 months clothes. We have packed up the remainder of the newborn sizes.
We have adjusted more to having her at home. The nerves have settled down a bit and we are less wired. We have gotten to know her better and she has gotten to know us. She is a very quiet and good baby. If it is feeding time and you are taking too long to get the bottle ready she will let you hear it! It is exciting to see her try to lift her head up and to understand how instinctial that is!
Every bathtime needs a look out man, here is Buster standing guard at the door.
Maggie is wearing her "robe" that Santa brought her for Christmas.
Christmas Eve we went up to Dade City and went to church at St. Rita's. Maggie got a special blessing by Bishop Robert Lynch. She slept on Dad's knees most of mass and did wonderfully.
Back at home on Christmas Eve night, the stockings were hung by the entertainment with care.
Tonight Shannon and I took the kids to Church Street Christmas in Dade City. It was such a perfect night, 68 degrees and clear. We heard Christmas songs at the First Baptist Church where one of Shannon's friends were singing in a pageant. We only strolled for about 45 minutes before going to ABC pizza and splitting a pizza and salad.
Tonight we went to our Chipotle Christmas Party. I got to see all my managers and have a wonderful steak and Ruth Chris Chop salad. Loved it! 
Yesterday Maggie met Julianne. She is one of my mom's best best friends. She too just had a grand baby which Maggie is about one month older than. She came down from PA to visit and wanted to meet Maggie. Two grandmas pictured above!
Congrats! You've made it to the two-month mark. If you haven't ventured out alone yet, it's probably time to give it a shot. It's healthy for you to take a break, and it's also good for baby to meet new people. Entrusting baby to someone else for the first time can be scary, so make sure you already know the caregiver. Ask them to stick as close to baby's usual routine as possible so that there's some sense of normalcy while you're away.
On Sunday, December 12th, we celebrated Brady and Belle's 5th Birthday! They had the Jones Family over who we love and adore. The birthday had a Barbie Cake for Belle and a Jungle Cake for Brady! It was a fun day. I took more than 400 photos so it is hard just to put a few on here.
