2 months and Loving Life

Joel is now 2 months old.  It is amazing how fast these 2 months have gone.

Weight: 12lbs 12.3oz (55 %)
Height: 2 ft 0.25 in (89%)
Clothing:0-3 months
Schedule: Joel takes a couple hour morning nap shortly after Rachel wakes up and afternoon nap during Rachel's nap.  He also catnaps in the evening in between fussing.  He has recently started eating every 3-4 hours instead of every 2 1/2.  He eats his final meal at 10:20pm and sleeps from 11pm until anywhere between 5am and 7:30am.   
Likes: He loves sucking on his pacifer, being cuddled, and rocking in the chair.  His favorite songs include "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," Jesus Loves Me, and "My God is so Great."
Dislikes: He hates to have a wet or dirty diaper, waking up alone, and wild play (like being lifted high and fast in the air).

Joel is such a joy to have in our family.  Rachel loves him and is adjusting to sharing mommy's attention.  She likes to help bathe him and change his diaper.   I am learning how to balance 2 kiddos and housework especially now that we started home school preschool.  I have to be intentional with how I spend my time be it unpacking boxes (we have less than 6 left!), cleaning the house, cooking meals, playing with Rachel or Joel, planning and carrying out our preschool lessons, and and making sure I get a little me time.  Sticking to a schedule and planning what I need and want to get done the night before really helps.  It gets a little easier to balance it all everyday.

Just Keep Swimming

 Rachel loves the water.  She took 2 sessions of swim lessons this summer.  Because she is still 2 I signed her up for Frogs which is a parent child class.  She did great in the class and was so comfortable in the water her teacher suggested we move her up to Guppies even though she is a little young for the class.  Guppies is for 3-5 year olds and the first class that is without a parent.  Rachel's session consisted of 3 other students and 2 teachers.  She did great!  By the end of the summer she demonstrated she could blow bubbles, go under water, kick and scoop, and jump in with assistance.  She still can't jump out to an adult, but I think that is a developmental thing that she will get as she gets older.  The only kid in the class who could do it looked to be about 5 years old.  Because she did so well, her Guppies teacher recommended signing her up for Minnows next year.  I am one proud mama!