Joshua

In the past 2+ weeks I have learned the following things about Joshua:

- He has extremely sensitive skin. He breaks out in a nasty heat rash if he gets really ticked off.
- It doesn't take much to tick him off.
- He doesn't like laying flat on his back. Therefore diaper changes generally involve crying.
- The sling, wrap and swaddling calm and soothe him. Especially when combined with bouncing. So glad we have an exercise ball.
- He sleeps long stretches, both during the day and at night. Some nights he needs some bouncing in the middle of the night, but often he just wakes to nurse and goes right back to sleep. Appreciating this (but not counting on it to continue, lest I be crushed with disappointment).
- He has a the makings of a killer smile! It's not gas, I'm telling you, I have seen this kid smile. Sometimes just a hint, sometimes just one corner, but definitely a smile. Can't wait to see the full blown version.
- He is a mover and a shaker. When he was only a week old and we tried to pose him for a photo, he was doing crawling motions with his legs and actually getting some traction! The other day I had him on my chest and he worked himself over so he was laying beside me.
- His hair is curly. He's got a little curled up minimullet, so cute.

It seems that if I can keep him in a sling or wrap, I will keep him happy. And therefore I will be relaxed and happy. This is not a kid I can just put down somewhere and who will just lay there and coo. So far he has been pretty high needs. That said, I have so many more tools to help both of us get what we want/need, and I have experience on my side. Now I know that these times don't last forever. Now I know to work with it rather than bang my head against the wall. He needs to be carried? Ok, I'll carry him and not begrudge him for it. Whatever works for him, works for me.