Joe is sleeping off a rough morning.

He had his two-month checkup today, including two shots. In the right thigh, he got a shot for hemophilus influenza. In the left thigh, he got a shot for diptheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, hepatitis B and polio.

Thank goodness they can pack all that into two shots. Joe was cranky and crying before the nurse even came in, so seeing him get the shots wasn’t so bad. He just kicked the crying up a notch or two. (If he had been smiling and cooing when he got them, it might have broken my heart.)

In happier news, he is growing like a weed! His current stats:

• 10 pounds, 13 ounces (25th percentile)
• 22.5 inches long (25th percentile)
• 16-inch head circumference (75th percentile — a big head for his big smart brain!)

Another month down, and Joe is still getting cuter every day.

My mother has always said that my dad has a third-grade sense of humor. After seeing this outfit he got for Joe, you may be inclined to agree:

(That look on his face really completes it, no?)

Last weekend we went to USA Baby and ordered a nice cushy glider for Joe’s room. The wooden rocker that’s in there now is lovely to look at but not very comfortable for story time or snuggling. So in 4-6 weeks, we’ll have this chair (in a solid blue):

This weekend we’re going to visit Patrick’s former workplace (and the site of our wedding reception), the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. They’re having the annual Airborne Day with freefall demonstrations, the 82nd Airborne Band and all kinds of fun stuff. We’ll let Joe soak it all in, and remind him that pretty much every man on both sides of his family has been Airborne. No pressure!

Next week is his two-month checkup at the doctor’s office, and you know what that means: shots. I bet we’ll both be leaving there in tears.

Joe’s favorite place to hangout (besides the changing table, the big weirdo) is his rainforest baby gym:

It makes rainforest sounds and has lots of colorful moving parts to look at. Here is a quick video of him enjoying it (sorry for the poor quality — it’s my cell phone camera):

We went to our first playdate earlier this week. It was especially for babies (I think the oldest one there was 9 months old). Joe was on his best behavior and was a big hit. I’ll post photos of that soon!

Joe turned seven weeks old on Tuesday, and we celebrated with a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. We popped into the CVS for something cool to drink. While we were there, I stopped to peruse the lipsticks. Suddenly I heard Joe breathing fast, the way he does when he’s about to cry, so I looked down into the stroller to comfort him.

Instead of crying, he had this giant beaming smile on his face and was giggling! I almost grabbed the cashier’s microphone to make an announcement.

I’m still not sure what amused him, so I haven’t been able to get him to do it again. He doesn’t even smile regularly yet, but when he does … hoo boy. It’s too cute for words.

One recent Saturday, Patrick announced that he and Joe were going out. He didn’t know where, but he was eager to spend some time with the boy. (Even though the boy doesn’t really do much yet except sleep and fuss.)

A couple of hours later, I received this image from Patrick’s camera phone:

That’s Joe in a sidecar at one of Patrick’s favorite motorcycle shops. If it were legal (and there were a helmet small enough for Joe’s little noggin), I’m sure Patrick would have driven him home in it.

Joe’s Social Security card arrived today.

Now he can start job-hunting. Time for that boy to start pulling his weight!

He’s been smiling up a storm in his little baby gym this morning. Here’s a glimpse:

Cute overload!

Joe is getting so big and so grown-up! He’s starting to really smile now, though only occasionally, and he talks to himself throughout the day. (Mostly “Ahooo” and “Gmmmm.”)

Yesterday we went to a picnic hosted by the Richmond Mommies, a local group that has been a big help to me as I learn this whole parenthood thing. Joe wore what we’ve come to call his Cuba outfit — doesn’t he look like he just needs a cigar and a mojito to complete the look?

His new favorite thing at nap time is to listen to the waterfall soother my “Aint Naincy” sent him. It plays rainforest sound effects and a nice little lullabye. I’m tempted to keep it on my nightstand, but I can’t take it away from him.

I’m eager for him to start smiling more regularly so I can get lots of gummy grin photos. Stay tuned!

Patrick does this to Joe’s hair every night after his bath:

This afternoon I told Joe he was a month old. I explained all about what months are, and how many there are in a year, and how after 11 more of these we’ll let him have cake and maybe a little party. He didn’t seem all that interested, but he listened politely.

Today in the mail we got a Peanut Shell sling that I ordered last week. Joe seems to really like it! I wore him all over the house today while I tidied up, and then again when the four of us went for a walk around the neighborhood.

I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday already! This week has flown by. I have no idea what we’re doing this weekend, but I bet there will be lots of photos.