Month 3, starting now

And now it’s July 3rd. 2 months ago Peter begrudgingly emerged from his mom’s comfy womb. 7 pounds and 15 ounces of serene, hairy joy. And now…

Peter is becoming a big boy. 2 months ago he was of “average” size, measuring in the 50th percentile of weight, length and head size. Since that time he has grown at an above-average rate. When we brought him in to the pediatrician for his rash (totally gone now, by the way) he weighed in at 12 pounds 13 ounces, which is a growth of 11 ounces in 8 days. They didn’t measure him, but most of his little PJ-like jumpers that cover the legs and feet are now too short in the leg. And his socks seem to be too small.

Peter is becoming a strong boy. 2 months ago his muscles, when flexed, were about as firm as a stale marshmallow. Last night he stood up – well, he stretched out his legs firmly while being held up by the armpits – and I felt the calf of his right leg. It was like a rock. We bathed him last night, and I couldn’t pry his left arm away from his chest to clean out his armpit. His right armpit is fine, in case you run into him some time today.

Peter is becoming a smart boy. OK, I can’t claim the significant advances like in his size and strength. A 2 month-old can’t really take an IQ test, or go to the chalkboard to show off his algebra skills. But he has always been a very alert fellow, with his eyes moving around a lot. When we take him for a walk he observes everything he can without any fussing. He’ll actually get cranky when he’s not seeing anything new, and cheers up when I hoist him up to my shoulder so he can look out the window. And he loves the stimulation of his activity chair. He’ll also talk to his mother when I ask him to while I haul him around.

Before he was born I didn’t really think about what he’d be like at this stage, I tended to focus my thoughts on the birth and how I hoped that would go (end results: good). I am relieved that he has been developing so well, and that when he’s in a good mood he’s the most delightful person I’ve ever met. Last night I had a nice conversation with him for a good 10 minutes, and he chirped and cooed away while I chirped and cooed back. I can’t say I’ve ever felt so fulfilled from a single interaction before. Years from now he’ll have no memory of it, but for a short period one July night Peter lit up in front of his Daddy like no fireworks display could ever replicate, and I’ll remember that forever.


Jeez, I feel like I just wrote the equivalent of a Precious Moments figurine painted by Thomas Kincaid… Sorry about that.