Joseph is 2 months old!

Can you believe it? He is getting so big. T.J. tried to measure him today and got 24 inches! We'll see what they say at the pediatrician on Tuesday. I can't find our scale here, so I can't tell you a weight estimate, but I'm guessing about 10.5 lbs

Last night I saw this chart with all the "milestone" things, and frankly, Joseph is amazing. (Like you didn't already know, right?)

Child's Age	Mastered Skills (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
1 month	• Lifts head when lying on tummy • Responds to sound • Stares at faces	• Follows objects briefly with eyes • Vocalizes: oohs and aahs • Can see black-and-white patterns	• Smiles, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle
2 months	• Vocalizes: gurgles and coos • Follows objects across field of vision • Notices his hands • Holds head up for short periods	• Smiles, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle • Makes smoother movements	• Holds head steady • Can bear weight on legs • Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini-pushup)
3 months	• Recognizes your face and scent • Holds head steady • Visually tracks moving objects	• Squeals, gurgles, coos • Blows bubbles • Recognizes your voice • Does mini-pushup	• Rolls over, from tummy to back • Turns toward loud sounds • Can bring hands together, bats at toys
4 months	• Smiles, laughs • Can bear weight on legs • Coos when you talk to him	• Can grasp a toy • Rolls over, from tummy to back	• Imitates sounds: "baba," "dada" • Cuts first tooth • May be ready for solid foods
5 months	• Distinguishes between bold colors • Plays with his hands and feet	• Recognizes own name • Turns toward new sounds • Rolls over in both directions	• Sits momentarily without support • Mouths objects • Separation anxiety may begin
6 months	• Turns toward sounds and voices • Imitates sounds • Rolls over in both directions	• Is ready for solid foods • Sits without support • Mouths objects • Passes objects from hand to hand	• Lunges forward or starts crawling • Jabbers or combines syllables • Drags objects toward himself

He can do all of the "advanced skills", and some of the things that are on the list for a couple months down the road. Case in point - he can blow bubbles, and has been for a couple of weeks. Genius, I tell you! [Just kidding... sorta]

Joseph has recovered from our trip - he slept the ENTIRE day yesterday, and all last night, waking only for food/diaper changes. Poor kid, Tay, Todd, Teresa and The B's (Teresa's parents) must have worn him down! You know how being held and played with can be SO exhausting.

We're leaving Wednesday night for St. Louis to see T.J.'s friend Danny (the rocket scientist ::giggle::) and Tara get married next weekend. I have high hopes that Joseph's convertible car seat, and our car, will improve Joseph's temperament with road trips significantly. He cried for at least 2 hours on Thursday on our way to Chicago from Elkhart. It was so heartbreaking - he just looked in my eyes and cried. I sat in the back with him, and we stopped several times to try and "fix" things, but he just wanted nothing to do with the car.

I can see a one-way flight to Atlanta in my future if the drive to St. Louis goes badly!

I'll try and take some pictures today and tomorrow and post them! I'm *hoping* that I'll be receiving a lot of relaxation time since it's Mother's Day!