The Wonder Weeks

The first news of the week is the discovery of "Jon Conner", the albino squirrel living in our neighborhood. We believe his name is Jon Conner, like the character in the Terminator movies, because he's a little more on edge than the other squirrels... too valuable to be killed, we suppose.

Cheeks, aka Cole, has had a tough week. He's entered a time where he's going through some big developmental changes, and he's letting us know loud and clear that he's confused by all of it.

Mom found a book called, "The Wonder Weeks", which outlines the most important developmental timeframes in a baby's first year. Right now he's starting to understand chains of events - moving toys from hand to hand, examining toys, shaking toys to make them rattle, getting ready to do some more rolling and moving. He's much more aware of what's going on around him.

The result: This makes him uncomfortable, and so he's a really fussy little guy lately. The book explained that Cole might exhibit several characteristics while he works through this:

1. He may have trouble sleeping. CHECK. Night sleep is still ok, but he's awake each day at 4 or 5am, and refuses to nap longer than 45 minutes (unless Mom is holding him). Mom & Dad are continuing to enjoy caffeine.
2. He may demand more attention. CHECK. Cole wants to be talked to, played with, and held ALL of the time. He's no longer interested in entertaining himself.
3. He may lose his appetite. Sort of. Cole's still eating ok, but becomes much more easily distracted by anything going on around him.
4. He may be moody. CHECK! One second he's a happy guy, the next he's screaming bloody murder.
5. He may be listless. CHECK. All of those pigeon calls we heard before have diminished quite a bit. It's mostly yelling this week.
6. He may always want to be with you. CHECK. See #2.
7. We also believe his cheeks are getting even bigger. This could be unrelated.

"But he looks like such a happy little guy in your pictures!" Cole is wearing his sassy pants this week (or sleepsack, in this case).

He's still managing to show off that chubby little grin from time to time, though.

Chewing on fingers and toys continues to be one of his favorite activities.

Cole's got big smiles for his daddy.

Cole won't start solids for another month, but was more than willing to help Dad out with his Coke today.

We love you, buddy. Hang in there, and feel free to sleep until 7am anytime!