My little Joey is so loveable. It’s so fun to experience such a DIFFERENT baby. He is so wonderfully “chill” and I feel so lucky to know him.
Here he is with his Grandpa Frank, and his daddy. All tuckered out from “swimming” (watching his sister swim, and being dipped and swished around in the water by me).
Three generations of Chapelle men!
Joey notices everything around him. He’s so alert, and quietly takes in a lot.
I had worried before about tandem nursing. Would I make enough milk for two babies? I felt like I made barely enough for Anneliese – NO extra. But my breasts have had more time to heal after my reduction surgery… almost another 2 years to reinnervate and recanalize… and only a short break from lactating during pregnancy. And guess what? I have PLENTY of milk for both of them. So Joey often nurses alongside his big sister. She dotes on him, holding his hand, patting his back, stroking his hair, or naming his body parts. She often opens up his little hands and gives him “five.”
At this point, he mostly just looks up at me, but I’m hopeful that this time will play a part in helping the two of them to become close and sweet with each other.
People often tell me that Joseph looks older than he is. “Like a little person.” (Er, that’s what babies are… but I understand what they mean.) He definitely has a big personality already.
When Anneliese was little, I often struggled to get her to be happy for 5 minutes away from my body so that I could even get dressed. With Joey? It’s no big thing. After nursing and getting a new diaper, he’s happy to look at the ceiling fan for a while, or take a little cat nap while I get ready for the day. It’s so lovely to have such an “easy” baby.
My husband’s impressions of Joey? “Cute little dude. Juuuuust kinda hanging out. He doesn’t do much. He eats, he sleeps, he cuddles a little bit. Well, a lot. He cuddles a lot. I think we’ll keep him.”
He knows something. This is his, “I am full of wisdom and knowledge” look. I’m excited for him to tell me what’s inside someday.
This is his spot each afternoon while Anneliese plays in her little pool. I had thought we would go to the community center pool a lot this summer, but it’s nicer to be closer to home… that way, if the kids get too hot or hungry or need diaper/potty, or just a break from the sun, we can pop into the house for a minute and then come right back out for some more sun and playtime.
Sometimes, Joey gets to play in the pool too. He’s a little water bug, and he’s usually happy for a while after a swim or a bath.
(This hair style is called the Johawk. hehe. His hair naturally grows toward the middle like this, and he was even born with a little ridge of spiky hair down the middle of his head. I looove it. Now it’s longer and often lays down, but if I ruffle it a bit, it spikes back up in the center.)
“Hooray for water, Mama!”
I’m so amazed whenever Joseph sleeps not-touching-me. Anneliese didn’t do that for a very long time, but unless he’s having a growth spurt, Joey is usually able to nap on a blanket or in his rocker, or in his cosleeper.
And at times, he even plays for a good stretch of time before needing me again. He’s such a laid-back guy, and so easy to please.
(Don’t get me wrong though. He does LOVE to be in my arms, to be worn, and to cuddle with me.)
He’s growing so quickly. No longer the squishy old-man-face newborn that he was a few months ago.
My baby Joey… almost 3 months old. Almost finished with his “fourth trimester” and ready to take on the world!
I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
I really do hope that you will be elaborating a little more on this issue.
I was hoping for a bit more information.
Just precious !!!!
I saw your husband with Joey and knew he was a pilot as I inherited my father’s flightsuit (although he only passed in ’09) similar to his that I have worn as a Halloween costume for the past several years and show the photo album of his involvement with the Apollo 14 pickup.
This last picture? Priceless!
I honestly think your son is the cutest baby boy I have ever seen! My baby boys are going to be born soon and this post makes me really excited to meet them
@rosierattle