Wow. Time does go quickly! Here is what Jonah is doing now:
School: Jonah still goes to daycare 3 times a week, for a long 8:15 to 5:45, around Daddy's work day. He seems to like school while he's there, but has had a touch of separation anxiety. As soon as his feet touch the floor - before Daddy even lets go - Jonah will start crying! This week, Jonah has had his first two "incident reports" which the teachers fill out for accidents. The first was for a black-and-blue on his cheek... which has been there over a week (cause unknown). The second was for a cut lip. Poor baby!
Breastfeeding: We breastfeed 5-6 times a day, 10 mins. each side. Jonah gets a little distracted if the TV is on, Mommy is using the iPad, or other people are in the room. In "public" situations, he doesn't like the cover much and usually pulls it aside so he can get air, view what's going on around him, and flash everyone. I am committed to breastfeeding until 1yr, but I really hate pumping, especially at work (awkward) and at night (I'd rather go to bed). And it's tough to pump 3-8oz. bottles during the day. He sometimes still takes a third at school, so I make sure to pack one just in case. So I recently started cheating and supplementing Jonah's bottles, 6oz. breastmilk and 2oz. formula.
Eating: Jonah will eat anything we put on his tray that he can pick up and feed himself. And he eats a lot! (Grandmama was quite surprised!) I often make myself a regular sized plate for dinner, and a good third of it is cut up for Jonah's tray! Granted, a third of that ends up in his lap or on the floor. We hardly try to spoon feed him, unless it is a few bites of potato between his finger foods. A typical day includes: 6:30 breastfeed, 7:30 Cheerios and fruit, 9:30 fruit/puffs snack, 10:30 8oz. bottle, 1:00 lunch (leftovers), 3:30 8oz. bottle, 6:30 dinner, 7:30 breastfeed.
Sleeping: Jonah is still a great sleeper! He goes down for bed around 7:30-8:00 and wakes up between 6:00-6:30. He has been up for a midnight snack, but only 3 times in the last month. Naps are getting a little bit better, too. He likes a morning nap 9:00-11:00 and a shorter and less predictable nap sometime in the afternoon.
Gross Motor: Jonah has found cruising (with the help of an assistant's hands) the preferable method of moving over army crawling. He has gotten very good at directing his steps and often has a very clear idea of where he wants to go. He did 3 laps around the house with Daddy today and even broke into a run. He can pull up to standing on almost anything and loves the independence and new vantage point.
Fine Motor: Jonah loves to point, either to indicate in which direction to carry him or at things of interest, which we identify for him. He also points at people, which usually elicits an "ET" touch of the fingertips in lieu of high fives.
Talking: Jonah doesn't "talk" often, but he makes a good variety of sounds when he does. No words yet, but I am starting to wonder if he is trying to associate sounds with objects, including "ma" for Mommy and "ba" for ball.
Activities: Jonah loves anything with water best of all. We got him a water table for the porch (which I hope to fill with other fun things, once he stops putting everything in his mouth!) and a splash pool for the yard. He also loves spinning the letters or beads on his Zany Zoo. The talking farm magnets are also becoming a favorite. Jonah is starting to use toys as "tools", for example, banging his friend's xylophone toy with another toy to make a louder noise.
Diapers: We are still using cloth at home, but sposies at school. My favorites are the Swaddlebees OS AIO, followed by BG and WolbyBug pockets. Dirty diapers are getting much grosser with all the solid food Jonah eats now! I gave up on disposible liners after a bad brand experience (the diapers are useless with an impermeable layer on top!) We're doing the dunk and swish, until I stop being too lazy to install the diaper sprayer. ;-)
Baths: Jonah still loves the water! He lays on his tummy and splashes both hands, getting water in his face until his eyes turn red, but it doesn't seem to bother him. He also does "bobs" where he very rapidly raises and lowers his head. Sometimes his face dips into the water, but he comes up smiling! Now that he can pull up, Jonah has also found a fun game of getting up on his knees and falling forward with a big splash, like a big kid would jump into a pool, over and over and over.
Reading: Jonah isn't too interested in any books that are not interactive. He has definite favorites and will flip through a stack to pick out the book he wants. Every book must have flaps, things to feel, mirrors, pop-ups, etc. He will flip through the pages very quickly looking for an activity and throw the book aside if it doesn't interest him. Favorites include "Pop Up Peek-a-Boo", "Feely Bugs" and "Who Lives Here?".
Social: Jonah has enjoyed meeting new friends at school, and took great interest in the new babies. He seems interested in new people and will wave, but then bury his face in shyness. At playgroup, I think he's had enough of being picked on and is stealing toys from the other kids!
