Grain of Rice

Joakim is just over 3 months now and is SO cute! He’s 14 lbs, 10 ozs and looking fatter and older everyday. I swear this week he started giving me kisses. He’s probably just wanting to put my chin and cheeks in his mouth like everything else, but he seems to be imitating me. I give him lots of kisses on his cheeks and play eat under his cheeks. He gets very excited and opens his mouth and goes for my cheeks and chin, giving me big wet smooches, all the while smiling and giggling. It’s so cute!!!

He continues to reach for things, grabbing and pulling at them. He actually gets frustrated when he can’t pull the toys down on his activity mat. He brings both hands together often and can lift his head to a 90 degree angle when he’s on his tummy. He’s holding his head and neck very steady almost all of the time and loves to stand when we’re holding him. He has some strong legs! In general, he is very strong.

He also continues to talk, laugh and squeal, each day getting more expressive. I wish you could hear and see him! Enjoy the new pictures!

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training tomorrow so Saxton Joakim is getting pretty darn excited for his first baseball season to begin. We’re absolutely sure this is going to be the year. Go cubbies!

Thank you Katherine for the handmade Cubs outfit.

Note: This is the only Cubs outfit Joakim has received… uh hum : )

Sorry it’s been so long since we’ve written. The nights and days have run together since Joakim’s birth, it’s hard to believe that he’s almost 3 months…
He is doing great! At his pediatrician appt. last week he weighed 13 lbs, 6 ozs and was 2 feet long! Here in Puerto Rico he seems big, everyone tells me that he’s huge! I think he’s perfect. He is a gorgeous child, everytime he looks up at me with those big blue eyes, I melt. He’s looking older now, changing almost everyday and definitely has lost the newborn look. His hair is still in between dirty blond and strawberry blond. His thighs and arms are filling out, a nice fat roll on each thigh…I’m aiming for 2 or 3 :). He’s reaching for things and has now figured out that he has legs. Just tonight he started kicking the hanging toys on his activity mat, instead of punching or grabbing them. He is also rolling over more often now. He found his hands awhile ago and they are in his mouth often. He loves his thumb…we might end up with a thumbsucker! He is very interactive, with a repertoire of facial expressions. He’s also laughing & talking quite a bit, which brightens our days.
He is doing so well! We couldn’t be happier with him and his progress. The only thing is that he needs to wake up less at night. Say prayers for him to sleep, do magic tricks, sleep dances… anything. I need to sleep!

Our favorite Joakims or derivations thereof:

• Joaquin Rodrigo (I was playing Rodrigo’s Concerto for Guitar with the orchestra the week Joakim was born)

• Josquin Des Prez

• Gioachino Rossini

• Joseph Joachim

• Joaquin Turina

• Joakim