James 5 Months, Claire 24 Months

James is having some very happy moments during the day.  He has a big smile and lights up when someone is giving him undivided attention and playing with him.  When he gets very excited he has a silent squeal that is very close to an outright laugh.  James has discovered his feet and reaches to grab them, as well as anything else that's right in front of him.  His main goal is to try to put things in his mouth; we recently discovered a bottom tooth coming through so he'll need some soothing things to chew on.

He had a cold with a sore throat that persisted over two weeks, so I took him to the doctor.  The doctor was surprised that he didn't have an ear infection but started him on an antibiotic anyway that seemed to help clear things up.  He's feeling better now.

Our biggest struggle continues to be his sleeping habits, or rather his lack of sleeping.  He wakes up every two hours during the  night with only an occasional four hour stretch.  He is sleeping on his tummy or side and screams for five to fifteen minutes almost every time we put him in his crib, then eventually falls asleep. 

Despite the rough nights, daytime is a lot of fun with James.  He can sit up for a few seconds by himself and loves to be held in a standing position.  James' favorite activity is watching Claire.  He rotates around from the jumparoo to the bouncy seat to a blanket to being held.  He seems to be happiest when being worn in the baby carrier but he is getting too heavy for me to do that for long!  James puts up a fight if we try to give him a bottle.  He usually takes three naps a day and nurses about five times a day.  James is in size six month clothes but seems to be outgrowing those quickly.  He is in size three diapers.

Last Friday, I went in to see Claire in the morning and said, "Claire, do you know what today is?  Today is April 6th" and she happily exclaimed "MY BIRFDAY!"  She has really soaked up all the extra attention and presents that have come with her second birthday.

When she's in a good mood, Claire is so much fun to be around (and she generally is pretty happy).  She speaks so well and forms very complex sentences for a newly-christened two year old.  She has started to add our names to the end of sentences when she is talking to us (for example: "Look at that, Mommy").  Claire wakes up talking, talks herself to sleep at night, and doesn't stop much in between!  Some funny things she's been saying lately are:

• Daddy is clean upping.
• May I have pick you up please. (when she wants to be picked up)
• Supposed to be ____? (to know if she can do something)
• Not ____? (she uses this to see if she's saying something correctly.  she pronounces it wrong and then corrects herself)
• No James, don't touch my book.  (yikes!  first of many such statements I imagine)  

Claire knows how to sing lots of songs and is getting less shy about doing it upon request.  She has started to sing "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to James when he is crying.  Claire loves to play.  Favorite toys include her dollhouse, play food and dishes, puzzles, dolls and stuffed animals.  She loves to be outside and we've had some beautiful weather to enjoy lately.

She's gaining her independence and starting to say "no" a lot and throw little temper tantrums a few times a day--did someone tell her what it means to be two?

Claire is wearing size 2T clothes and size 5 diapers.  She naps 2.5 - 3 hours a day and sleeps from about 8 pm until 8 am.