Happy Ten Months!

At ten months Whit...

...is wearing 12-18 month sized clothes. It depends on the item; he still has short legs, broad shoulders and a loooong torso. Poor kid can barely wear t-shirts that stay over his belly. He's in size 4 Cruisers now to a bit more success. 

...got to meet his cousin Logan for the first time this past weekend. And they loved seeing each other! Anytime they caught sight of one another they would flash a big smile. 

...can stand on his own for a long time! I don't think he realizes he's doing it though. It's usually when something is so interesting he forgets to hold on to the furniture. 

...and is thinking about walking! A few times this past week he will be standing, holding on to the ottoman, turn, let go, a  l  m  o  s  t  take a step, and sit down. 

...has started feeding the dogs his food. One night Whit was playing in the kitchen while I cooked and I handed him a piece of broccoli. He nibbled on it, held it out for Foster, Foster takes a bite, then he goes back to eating it. I just died laughing. I used to do the same thing with ice cream and our dogs when I was a kid. (And in the I-knew-it-wasn't-bad department, I heard recently about studies that said babies who are around dogs have fewer ear infections... win!)

...LOVES to greet people. While we were at a hotel this past weekend, every morning in the breakfast area Whit welcomed everyone who walked in with a "HEY!" (it sounds more like "AY!) and a hand in the air. 

...hates having his clothes changed. And if Ben's doing the changing Whit will start yelling "mam!"

...will actually stop doing something if I give him a warning "Nooo...." It's amazing being able to see what he's thinking. 

...tries to turn on the TV with the remote. Part of me finds this unbearably cute (he's a little adult!) and part of me finds this horrifying. He doesn't watch TV, and I want it to stay that way as long as possible.

...is back to liking his stroller, thank goodness! But is still not a fan of riding in the car. I think he thinks we left him. He can hear us, but since he can't see us, we must be gone.

...has been doing a hilarious "cheese" face! He smiles real big, throws his chin up and closes his eyes. It's too cute. I'll have to find photographic evidence of it!

...occasionally waves.

...is very helpful. If we're leaving a room, he'll turn the light out for me. If we're picking him up, he'll hold his arms out. And he shares his toys with whoever is around. He's constantly handing us things. 

...has taken up the pacifier again. I can't think of the last time he used one, but lately it's one of three things that are required for sleep. 

...is a fiend for avocado, pineapple, blueberries, cherries, cheese and eggs. Maybe that should just say "is a fiend for food" and that's what we've been feeding him lately.

...is trying to feed himself with a spoon, but still no luck on sippy cups. He can drink out of them, but he refuses to hold them up to get anything out. I can't figure out what to do about this. 

...crawls laps around our house. We decided to babyproof the whole house and let him at it, and it really works for all of us. And this always being on the go is making his monthly pictures REALLY hard to take. For example:

Happy Nine Months!

(I'm featuring two pictures this month since I'm not in love with any one in particular. Someone is getting way too mobile for these!)

At nine months, Whit...

...is apparently only 21 lbs. And 28.5" tall. Someone has decided to slow down a bit, but the doctor thinks it could be since someone has become such a speed demon at crawling. (That same someone is trying desperately to give up solids, but that could have just been the incoming tooth talking.) 

...is still wearing size 4 Swaddlers, though we're about to try the Cruisers. The Swaddlers just aren't fitting right, even though he's not yet in the weight range for the ones he's wearing. It's just kinda weird. Still in 12 month shirts and 9-12 month pants in most brands. I'm just glad we've graduated to wearing tee shirts now!

...has stood up on his own a few times the past two days. I think tonight is the first time he's realized when he's doing it. 

...LOVES to jump... with Mama's help, of course. Though last night he was bouncing while holding on to me and I *think* his feet might have left the ground for a second! (PS- if you're kid likes bouncing, it doesn't necessarily mean he'll like a Johnny Jump-Up. Bought him one tonight and he cried the entire time he was in it.)

...has stopped saying words in favor of his pterodactyl screech again. Except the word "hey". He says that A LOT. Even told a random lady "hey" last night on our walk.

...has settled on a sleeping position. Ben calls it "the race car". He sleeps on his belly with his arms and legs tucked underneath him with his butt in the air. It's the cutest damn thing!

...had one tiny episode of separation anxiety a couple of weeks ago. I keep reading in apps and books that it's coming, but so far so good. ::fingers crossed::

...has become a little slow to warm up to strangers. I brought Whit by work one day and he just stared at my co-workers. But he'll let them hold him, he just takes a little while before he'll smile at anyone. Unless you're the weird bagger at Publix. Whit loves that dude!

...can crawl up stairs. And open drawers. Life is starting to get dangerous! 

...may have tried a few weird things that he's not supposed to. Like he may have tried cheese, some cookie, Asian pork, and salmon.

...got the green light for proteins. The jury is still out about if he likes eating proteins.

...loves having his picture made. We've had a couple of meltdowns the past week. And when he does this I pull out my camera or phone and start taking pictures. So Whit will look confused, smile and bam, the red face is gone. And honestly? I kind of like my pictures of his meltdowns, he still looks cute.

...is no longer a fan of riding in the car. Well, apparently just my car. And he's not always a fan of being in the stroller anymore. A couple of night walks have ended with Ben walking home with Whit in his arms.

...has eight teeth now!

...you know when you move your finger up and down on your lips it can make a funny sound? Does that even have a name? Anyway, Whit almost has the hang of it. With us doing it to him and him doing it to us. And it cracks him up! One night he sat in my lap and we were doing it to each other giggling. Oh how I wish I had video of that night.

Happy Eight Months!

At eight months, Whit...

...weighs in around 22 lbs... I think. The last time we weighed, three weeks ago he was almost 21 lbs.

...is wearing 12 months in Carter's and 12-18 months in Old Navy/Gap clothes... and those are most of his wardrobe. Honestly he's not long enough for any of it, but his shoulders are so dang broad anything smaller looks like he's wearing muscle shirts!

...is still wearing size 4 Swaddlers.

...may be teething again! His bottom gum looked a little funny tonight and he's been chewing his fists again. Poor thing is going to have a full set before his first birthday at this rate!

...is CRAWLING, STANDING and CLIMBING like a madman! The past two weeks my only job has been keeping him from killing himself. And believe me, we've had a few close calls. When he finally figured out how to crawl it was on! Within two days he was pulling up on the furniture, trying to stand. Two days after that he pulled himself up and sat back down by himself (I've read that some kids have a tough time figuring out how to get down?). And as soon as he was standing, he's lifting his feet trying to climb over whatever it is he's holding onto. Oy, so this is what having a son feels like!

...is in love with the dog's room. If I don't corral him somewhere, he'll bolt to the dog's room. He loves using their crates to stand up and he LOVES opening and closing Foster's crate's door.

...another reason he loves that room? Laundry TV. This past week I've sat him in front of the washer or the dryer in his bouncer and he loves watching the colors. Plus, we have high-efficiency machines so they make some pretty weird noises.

...has started waving! It occurred to me that we could probably be teaching Whit how to do certain things. He picks up on stuff wicked fast, so why not? I had him waving in a day and a half! I'm trying to get him to blow kisses or do something helpful like, sign when he's hungry, but no dice just yet.

...knows what "No" means. Thankfully he only has to be told once before he stops. Except when it comes to the dogs' food and water bowls. I may need to do some creative problem solving for those.

...says "dada" A LOT. In fact he stopped saying "mama" almost completely... until today. He kept wanting to say it when I was feeding him so today was pretty messy, not that I minded!

...makes yummy noises when he eats. This is totally my fault. Four months of feeding him solids and still I can't not open my mouth when he does and I can't not make yummy ("nom nom nom") noises while feeding him! But it's so cute when he does it.

...is starting to show some emotion... and a temper. Normally, Whit is a very easy-going baby. But lately, he gets mad at diaper changes, if his bottle is taking too long (and he can see it) or if you take something from him. Ooh, that last one has been a little tough since he doesn't move on to the distraction well. He's also cried a few times when I've scared him. Not on purpose! I was trying to play with him and I guess I was a little too loud and I surprised him. He looked like someone had shocked him and just started bawling. Once he bit me and I told him No, but I guess I did it a little too sharply and he just cried. Oh I felt horrible and started to cry too. So I'm learning to quiet down a bit.

...has thoroughly enjoyed all the outside time lately: in the swing, in the grass, on blankets, whatevs.

...snores. Loudly. His sleeping habits have become a new source of entertainment for me and Ben. Thursday night it was butt in the air, on one shoulder, mouth hanging open, in the corner of his crib, snoring. His favorite has been wrapping his blanket around his head, making a cocoon as soon as you put it on him.

...is such a chuckler. And has started fake laughing. I don't remember what Ben and I were laughing about, but Whit was watching us, confused, and started laughing. Sort of. It sounds a little like a laugh, a cough, and his dying duck noise. Oh gosh, this kid cracks me up and melts my heart!

Happy Seven Months!

At seven months, Whit...

...weighs at least 20 lbs. Haven't done measurements yet, so I will get on that!

...is wearing 9 months clothes when it comes to outfits, but had to get bumped up to 12 months pajamas. Just because he's got such a long torso (you're welcome, hon!). 

...is still wearing Swaddlers size 4, thank goodness!

...sits up by himself very well. Occasionally he takes a tumble and falls HARD. He's *almost* crawling. Right now he crawls backwards great, he just can't seem to reverse it. He can go from on his belly to sitting up by himself (which was very shocking the first few times we saw it). And he can stand by himself holding on the the ottoman, with someone behind him of course. So I think standing may be soon...

...now has SIX teeth! Four on top and two on the bottom. And may be getting more, he's been drooling like a mad man this week. I can't wait for him to slow down and not wear bibs constantly. 

...now has a first cousin!!! By the way, that's what the asterisk is all about. We took his seven month old pictures at 7 mos, 3 days because on his seven month day I was in Meridian for the birth of my nephew, Logan. 

...and then Whit got sick. Friday night he projectile vomited all over me... three times. And boy did I learn a lesson. Don't try to cover up impending vomit, you'll just succeed in covering your baby with throw-up. And babies don't know to not open their eyes when covered in a watery substance. Worst. parenting. moment. ever. 

...has grown a taste for fruits since we've started Plum organic blends.

...has become fascinated with us drinking out of cups and cans. I can't hold him and drink out of a glass without him grabbing it and trying to drink it himself. And he's pretty good at drinking out of a cup. Much better than the sippy cups, which he managed to use the other day. Sort of. 

...loves chewing hoodie strings. And loves grabbing my necklace, hair and glasses. 

...finally likes books! He likes to chew on them! Just kidding, he also likes being read to now as well. 

...said "mama" a few times. AHHHHH!!! Since then he's only babbled a few times and started up his squealing again. And he loves it when I squeal back at him.

Happy Half-Year!

I cannot believe a half a year ago this little guy joined our family! I remember it like it was yesterday, which for me is quite a feat. Time has flown by, and Whit isn't the only one who has grown around here. I think Ben and I have grown tremendously as people, thanks to the new experiences due to Whit and because we're trying to be better people for him. Okay, enough sappiness!

At six months, Whit...

...weighs 19 lbs, 5 oz., is 27" tall and has a head circumference of 17.5". Which equals out to 80th percentile for weight, 75th for length, and 75th on head circumference. Which hopefully means he's slowing down the growth.

...because someone is wearing 9 months-sized clothes! I was completely caught off guard with this and we were not prepared! I'm still trying to find fleece, footed pajamas in 9 months.

...is still wearing size 4 Swaddlers.

...LOVES all the weird noises we can think to make. He chuckled like a madman at me making my "no" noise to the dogs. It kind of sounds like a dolphin saying "uh-huh", to give you an idea.

...is sitting up by himself pretty well. He really only needs someone nearby for when he starts to tumble, which is rare.

...has another couple of teeth coming in. I've been watching the edge of two of them for a week now. The doctor said he may get his incisors in before his two front teeth... then we'll have a baby vampire on our hands!

...has tried rice cereal, peas, squash, pears, and bananas so far. And I think he did not inherit my sweet tooth. The fruits he spits right back out, unless I mix it into his cereal. Veggies he loves, hopefully that is still true in a few years.

...has tried drinking from a transitional-kind-of-sippy cup with a little success, but mostly just wet clothes.

...experienced his first snow. He thought it was pretty, but he would rather be watching it from inside a warm house.

...is an excellent roller and is trying so hard to crawl. Today he got up on his hands and knees twice. Ben swears he crawled an inch this morning.

...went through a squealing phase and is already done with it. We joked he was part pterodactyl.

...also makes a kind of kissing noise, but I don't think he's kissing. I think he's calling the dogs!

...hugged me and it made my year.

...is slow to warm up to strangers (and people he's met before) I'm noticing. He doesn't get upset if a stranger holds him, he just gets very quiet and watches their every move for a very long time. After a few hours he decides you're cool and smiles at you.

...attended his first baby shower for his Auntie Shanna and I think he won over a few previously anti-having-kids friends.

Happy Five Months!

This kid is starting to get too big to take pictures!

At five months, Whit...

...just moved up to size 4 diapers. (And thank you Target for now having Pampers Swaddlers in size 4 and 5!)

...has two front teeth! And teething hasn't been too bad.

...weighs about 18 lbs. (At the four month appointment he weighed 17lbs. 1 oz. and was almost 26" long)

...now does a little dance we like to call the "Whitman Wiggle". When he's on his back he'll shake his head back and forth while flailing his arms and legs and just smiiiile.

...survived his first multi-family, multi-state Christmas. And didn't get overwhelmed... even in my Grandma's 80+ degree house with LOTS of cousins running around and talking loudly until late. Even had a great time during the whole thing. And helped open a few of his presents, of which there were plenty!

...has finally rolled over from back to belly. And recently discovered he can roll to things he wants. I think we may have just skipped crawling and went for rolling instead.

...is also a big fan of scooting on his back. When he first started, he wouldn't go to sleep at night because he wanted to practice! Ben and I stayed up rather late catching up on Castle and watching Whit scoot across the room for a few laps.

...has tried cereal and he likes it! Honestly, I think he just likes eating like a big boy. He stares at me and Ben when we eat, so I think he feels more like us when he eats in his high chair.

...can *almost* sit up by himself. When he sits on our bed he can occasionally keep his balance, but he finds it funny when he topples over.

...recognizes his name... I think. A couple of times he's looked at me when I say his name, but I'm not sure if it was just a coincidence yet.

...is enamored with his Papa. And I think even more so now that we didn't see him much last month. Ben had Whit most of the day on one of his off days and the child refused to nap because they were having too much fun.

...is becoming a champion napper!

...loves his activity-saucer-thingy, his mobile (I've never mentioned this before, but he LOVES his mobile), when I make his toys talk to him, his crunchy book, when I pretend to drop him, mirrors!, ceiling fans (still), and all the weird noises we can make at him.

...loves the furry family members. He's now pet all of them at least twice and giggles at the dogs when they play or sniff his ears.

...has a cute habit of sneezing a couple of times and then saying "ahhhh" afterwards!

Happy Four Months!

At four months, Whit...

...is now in size 3 diapers. No more swaddlers :(

...is a growing boy! This week he grew out of some jeans I had just bought last week. He's now mostly in 6 months clothes. His 3 month old onesies are pretty much only used as undershirts now.

...laughed! We've heard a couple of hearty laughs and a few real giggles from him now!

...is consistently rolling over from belly to back. And has started a new thing where he looks like he's trying to do a backstroke on land. It's quite hilarious.

...loves for me to sing "The Christmas Song" and "La Cucaracha" to him.

...is going to bed MUCH easier and, with the exception of a couple of nights, still sleeps the whole night through.

...is MUCH better at the ride home from his grandparents now. But I think the Christmas lights along the way may be why.

...has a tooth coming in! We noticed it Tuesday and are so excited there's progress on all this gnawing and drooling.

...had a great time at his first Thanksgiving. While we ate he was entranced with the chandelier and babbled at it all through dinner.

...babbles so much more. He's stopped saying consonants in favor of "oohs", "aahs" and the occasional "WHOA".

...is very adept at blowing raspberries with and without his tongue.

...loves to dance... a lot!

...also still loving walks (and occasional jogs in our new jogging stroller), bath time and his puppies. Now loves playing "little bunny foo foo", "itsy bitsy spider", and holding anything that makes noise.

...is a big fan of our Christmas tree, his bumbo, and a new color-spinning toy I got for his high chair.

...went to his first storytime at the library and it was a huge hit!

...found out who he really looks like. My mom posted a picture of my youngest sister visiting Santa for the first time and if it weren't for the girly clothes, you would have thought it was Whit.

...is such a funny kid. His expressions slay me. For instance...

I think someone didn't feel like having a photo shoot today.

No longer a newborn...

...because someone has graduated to infant!

At three months, Whit...

...is still a morning baby. He is definitely at his best at 8-9am, and is slowly losing his dislike for the early evening. Yay!

...is still in size 2 diapers. And is getting a little too long and too wide for some 3 month old clothes, but is a little too short for 6 month old clothes.

...is getting stronger every day! He is so close to rolling over from back to belly, has begun sitting up fairly well with just a hand on his back or holding his hands, and has started scooting on his back! Today I had put him on his activity mat while I fed the dogs, when I came back a couple of minutes later he had scooted his head off the mat, off the rug and almost into the wall! The poor guy had a curtain over his face, haha!

...loves for people to sing to him. And really loves for people to talk with him. Though he hasn't spoken much, apparently no one has the magic touch in that department except my friend Summer.

...finally got to meet his other great-grammie, other uncle, and a LOT of cousins last week.

...has started noticing the television, which has made me very nervous.

...no longer minds clothes changing at all. Sometimes he thinks it's pretty funny.

...has laughed out loud for real twice!

...runs hot. We're still walking during the day when we can (since I've gone back to work), and I don't have to worry about bundling him up because when we get back he usually has sweat through his clothes.

...now loves his infant/toddler rocker/chair his Mimi got him. He loves the vibrations, which came in handy when he had a fever and didn't want to be held.

...helped Mama vote in his first election. And boy did those poll workers eat him up!

...loves playing tasty baby, bath time (now just on a towel in the tub, instead of his sling-thing), dancing, anything involving playing with his feet (especially "patty feet"), and is a huge fan of ceiling fans. (yeah yeah, I had to do it!)

Happy Two Months!

First, here's Whit's one month old picture. In the chaos, I did manage to take a few, just haven't had time to blog. Priorities, folks! And here he is at two months. What a difference four weeks make! 

I adore the fact he looks like he's doing the Popeye dance! 

At two months, Whit...

...weighs in at about 12 lbs. (I'm guessing here, but we have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so we'll have some accurate measurements soon.)

...smiles A LOT! And may even be trying to laugh, we can't tell if his new grunt or his sounding like he's gasping is about to become giggles, but he's definitely up to something.

...is a morning baby. He is his happiest in the morning and any time he's on his changing table. But around 6:00 happy baby goes away and leaves behind a grumpy little man. 

...loves car rides and our walks around the neighborhood, when he stays awake for them. Out of nearly twenty walks, he's only been awake for three and he was a big fan. Car rides? Fuhgetaboutit, this kid is out in about two minutes of being in a car. (Totally gets that from me)

...is a big boy! He's graduated to size 2 diapers and 3 months sized clothes. Some brands I'm putting him in the 3-6 months size. He's not quite long enough or big enough in the belly for them, but his shoulders are huge! We may have a future linebacker on our hands.

...refuses to take a pacifier. Alas, those days are long gone.

...loves being held, on your shoulder, all the time. This week I gave up and bought yet another baby carrier. This time a backpack-style front carrier and he loves it. This has helped tremendously with the 6-8:00 cranky time and my back is so grateful. 

...is a champion sleeper at night. Last night he slept for 12 hours straight!!! He's also a fantastic self-soother. It only took two nights of letting him cry it out (only for two minute intervals) until he could put himself to sleep at night. 

...is amazingly strong and coordinated. He's rolling over tummy to back a lot now, and finally in front of Ben. He acts like he may roll over from back to tummy any day now. He's held toys we put in his hand for a long time and occasionally brings them to his mouth. This morning his was batting the animals on his activity mat and for once I was sure it was on purpose. He holds his head up almost the entire time he's being held and a lot when he's on his tummy on the floor.

...his favorite toys are: Zoey, our Boston; his key ring of keys, a bunch of different colored links, his activity mat, and a toy giraffe that "talks" to him. I've never been a great puppeteer and his giraffe kinda sounds like Santa Claus, thankfully Whit doesn't mind. 

...his favorite things to do are: me swiping a tissue over his face, playing "tasty baby" (me "eating" him up with kisses), bath time!, being outside especially if it's windy, and listening to music (and occasionally Mama singing along and dancing-- this was how I managed to cook dinner the other night).

Mama is...

...not looking forward to tomorrow's doctor visit. Shots! Eek!