Week 6

A lot has happened since Chami came home.  Yet both Mamu and Dadu are too exhausted to record them. Joaquin was very affectionate towards Chami the first week he came home, kissing him and looking at him all the time.  Slowly, he has learned somehow that this being is going to be a threat to the undivided attention he was used to getting from his parents.  Lately he has behaved quite violently towards Chami, often hitting him or throwing things at him when we are watching (and then he watches our reaction).  We initially scolded him each time he did that but it only aggravates his anger towards Chami.  He also pushes us away and says he doesn't want Mama or Papa (after throwing himself on the floor dramatically).  We decided to take a different approach which presents no reaction whenever he hits his little brother.  We even took him out on a date a few nights ago to see if he would feel that he is still deeply loved by us.  Somehow it helped him become a bit happier in the last two days (whereas he was just grumpy and sad everyday when he came home from school previously).  He continues to try to hit Chami whenever he remembers the threat but he also runs over to tell Chami not to cry whenever he hears Chami whimpering.  I guess this love-hate relationship will continue for a while until Joaquin figures out what Chami really means to him in his life.

We were also very happy that Chami switched back to breastmilk from the very nasty tasting Alfare.  The doctor had told us that we needed to make the switch very slowly and only offer him breast milk for two meals each day for four days before we could replace another two meals with breaskmilk.  But Chami went on the hunger strike on the second day and refuse to drink Alfare anymore (how can you go back to that after a taste of breaskmilk?!) so we had to switch him 100% by Day 2.  We are happy to report that he is gaining weight and growing inches very nicely in the last 10 days since he switched back.  He was born some 90th percentile but at one month, he had dropped down to 50th percentile since he really didn't like the formula so we are hoping by next Tuesday's checkup, he can regain some lost ground.  Chami also is very demanding during the day.  He usually would not nap continuously at all during 9am to 5pm.  He doesn't want to be put down at all other than being changed which means we each have to take turns holding him during the day.  He also eats very irregularly during those hours, often eating every two hours and pooping every two hours too.  I have said too many times that I want to slowly put him on schedule but just often find myself too exhausted to do it during the day...

A loving brother trying to hold Chami

When can you play with me?

A loving poke

Is that a smile?

Auntie Emily and Uncle Andy came to visit

Sleeping soundly in Auntie Katherine's arms