Not So Toothless Anymore

What a busy month it has been at the Yousef house!  Jonas is getting bigger every day and is starting to look and act more like a toddler and less like a baby.  Jonas is now 7 months old!  I can hardly believe how big he is!  He really has changed so much over the past 7 months.  It is so fun to look back to how our life was a year ago and see how much it has changed!  Last year around this time, I was about 15 weeks pregnant (give or take a week) and here we are with a seven month old baby!  My how time flies! 

I'm sure you can probably guess by the title of this entry, but I'll say it anyways!  Jonas got his first tooth!  It isn't really that noticeable, yet, except when he bites on your finger!  His first tooth came in on his 7 month birthday!  And now the second one is in already.  He is definitely chewing on everything now!  One of his favorite things to chew on is his little sock monkey. 

Jonas is also working on those little leg muscles!  He is getting so good at balancing himself, that sometimes I have to remind myself to stay near him when he is standing up (while holding onto something).  He is also getting good at balancing on his hands and knees!  I am guessing that we will have a crawling little boy in the house within a month or so!  Good thing I have already started baby proofing the house! 

Here are a few more recent pictures of Jonas that I like!  I know, there aren't usually any pictures of Steve or me, but I'm guessing you all really just want to see the little man anyways :) 

Sunny March

Wow! I can hardly believe that we have had weather in the upper 70s in the past week!  It is so beautiful here in Michigan right now, that all of my dislike for this mitten-shaped state that formed over our rather mild winter has dissolved!  I have never been a huge fan of winter.  I always prefer the warmer seasons, like spring, summer and fall! 

With every passing season, I am reminded of how our God is in control.  We were told by our friendly weatherman to anticipate a colder and harsher winter that we had, and I'm sure that back in October of last year, that same weatherman did not expect us to be having 78 degree weather on St. Patrick's day, in the middle of March!  However, I am not complaining, actually I am far from complaining.  I am amazed at how every day, every month, every year, our God shows us how he is in control.  He brings the seasons, just as he brings the next day into existence.  He guides the birds, to and from their northern habitat here in western Michigan.  He grows each tree, flower, bush, grass, and every living thing.  I am so thankful for the reminder of his control as we begin to see Spring blossom all around us!  How Great is our God!

And so, our little family of three (well, four if you count the dog) enjoyed our time out in God's creation this week!  Jonas got to feel the grass for the first time.  He thought that was pretty cool, almost cool enough to eat!  Good thing mom was close by to keep the leaves out of his mouth!  I can see the excitement in his eyes when we are outside.  He loves the warm air and the sun shining on his face!  I think he and I are going to catch quite a few rays this summer!

Jonas is quite the character.  When he is laying in his crib, usually just after he wakes up from a nap, he loves to stare up at the mobile that hangs at one end of his bed.  Evidently it isn't quite entertaining enough for him, because as he stares up, he bangs his feet down on the mattress as hard as he possibly can, and in turn shake the mobile!  The little zoo animals are so much more entertaining when they are moving!  I think we are going to be in for quite an exciting summer this year!  I'm just hoping I will be able to keep up with him! 

Here are a few snapshots from our week!  Hope you enjoy!  God Bless you all!

I just love his little toes!



Even Dora enjoyed some time outside!

He likes to make this face at his daddy :)

Being Needed

I think the most precious thing about being a mother (or parent) is being needed by your little one.  In the past few weeks, Jonas has begun sleeping through the night (consistently) for about 12 hours at a time!  He did well at night from about 3 months on, but then around the 4 month mark he started struggling again.  It took some adjustments to his schedule and more patience than I had anticipated, but he has been doing really well lately!  Even though I don't really enjoy getting up with Jonas in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning, part of me loves to know that he needs me! 

Throughout March, Jonas has has quite a few 'firsts'.  He started sitting up on his own near the end of February.  He loves to sit with his toys and play on his own.  I just have to watch out because his balance from side-to-side is not that great yet!  The Boppy pillow has come in handy to prevent many bumps and bruises! 

About a week ago, Jonas said his first word!  He had been trying so hard to form words with his little mouth in the last few months, and he finally figured out how to say "mama", although sometimes it sounds more like "mlummla".  That little tongue tends to get in the way more than it helps!  We have been working on "dada" but he just smiles and giggles when I try to get him to say "dada".  Now that he has started to babble, I'm sure the next weeks and months will be loud ones! 

Jonas is starting to learn Sign Language as well!  Those of you who don't know, I studied American Sign Language in college, so I know a thing or two about signing!  Jonas loves to watch me sign and is starting to use the few signs that I have been working with him on.  So far, he signs "all done" during meals if he is full.  Of course, his version of "all done" is not quite accurate, but it is a start!  Maybe someday he will be bilingual like his mommy!

This weekend Jonas started trying to feed himself!  We gave him a little teether biscuit and he absolutely loved it!  It was pretty messy, but he is starting to figure out how to feed himself and it is completely worth the mess! 

Jonas started eating fruits and veggies back in January, but I though you would enjoy some photos of his first feedings! 

We were also able to go on a walk this weekend.  Jonas is sitting up in his stroller like a big boy!  He sure enjoyed the new angle to check out the world!

Here are just a few more photos from this month.  He is just so cute that I can't help taking photos of him!

 

What a Blessing!

I love the moments when Jonas is still in my arms, holding me as I hold onto him.  Those bright blue eyes always get me! They are so innocent, yet I feel that he sees who I really am and loves me just the same.  Even though I am not of any real importance to society, he looks at me like I am the most important person in the world.  His eyes light up when he sees me, and that toothless grin spreads wide across his face.  He knows who I am.  If he could choose to be held by anyone in the whole world, he would choose me, his mother.  That feeling is one of the most special things a mother could ever experience. 

Sometimes I feel anxious that I will be a mother for the rest of my life.  I think about all of the things I 'haven't done' yet, but then I see that smile and all of my worries melt away.  You see, being a mom is so much more than changing dirty diapers and wiping runny noses.  It's about loving children.  Psalms 127:3 says that "children are a heritage from the Lord...".  That verse is so true!  What a Blessing it is to be a parent!

And so, as I hold my little one tight in my arms, I will be reminded of the Blessing that he is to us.  I pray you are reminded as well!