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i swear i'm not abusing him

if you've spent any time within a mile of john and me in the past day and a half, i apologize for the screams. i assure you, i'm not pinching, beating, neglecting, or otherwise mistreating my son.

what am i doing?

putting him down.

suddenly, the only time john is happy is when he is being held. it doesn't have to be mommy - daddy has done quite a bit of holding as well - but in extreme situations only mommy will do. john's not hungry. he's not hot or cold. his diaper is clean. he's just ... screaming.

i miss my chipper little dude - haven't seen much of his smiling face lately. i know, i know - it's a phase, this too shall pass, etc etc etc. and it's really not so terrible - this phase coincides with john's ability to hug onto us, so it's pretty gratifying to pick up a little monkey who reaches for you then squeezes you once you have him.

but i miss smiles and belly laughs. any mamas or daddies out there have any suggestions?

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