Happy 8 Months E!

You are pulling up, scooting and sidestepping as quick as your little chunky legs can move you. We have bets on when you will officially be walking on your own. Gramps says Christmas. I suppose you will go on your own time just like all the big moves you have made in the past. You just make up your mind and go. Next month we will have official stats but I am sure you are close to 18 lbs. We call you our little chunk. :-)

Hanging around

Random pics from October.... just a quick note. Annabelle is growing up so fast! She really started to come into her "big kid" phase both physically and verbally. Also, she is loving school! I love hearing all about the things she does during the day and all about her friends. It is so fun.

7 Months!

Ethan man is 7 months and while there is no official dr apt this month I imagine you are close to 17lbs. You can pull up and are always watching your big sister. In your world no one can make you laugh like Annabelle. It is very amusing. She can merely laugh out loud and you will grin ear to ear in adoration. So cute!

Catching up. A letter to Ethan.

Dear Ethan,

You might think that my (several month) hiatus from this blog meant that I wasn't documenting your life changes. Please know that this is absolutely not the case. I write this only because I want your to know that while our life is so much busier and fuller since you came to us, we-- your dad, myself and Annabelle-- take no less pleasure in watching you grow up.

In the past two months-only a very short time period- you changed so much. You have started babbling, reacting to simple commands (hands up!), moving on your own and your curiosity grows everyday. You are eating solid foods on your own and so far as I can tell- only rejecting things that are green. I suppose we will need to work on that.... You love your bottle. Two things that are interesting, you love feeding yourself solid foods, especially fruits and cheerios but are not interested in holding your bottle or actually drinking out of a sippy cup. I suppose you are on the brink of independence.

I can't tell you how much I love your smile. Those dimples....swoon! You light up any room.

Cozy blankets and cuddles are a must when it comes to bedtime. There are probably a million parenting books that would tell me that I should not rock you to sleep every night. I do it anyways. I don't regret a second of that time I spend with you. Also, I love that you blink twice and sigh right before falling into a deep sleep.

I will be posting pics and trying to catch up over the next week. Updates and random sorts just like before. Stick with me.

Love,
Mom

Happy Half Birthday Ethan!

He is halfway to 1yr and I can't believe how fast time flies! Ethan is an absolute doll and we are really enjoying seeing him grow and develop his personality. For the most part he is very cuddly. He likes to be held and in the action. The only exception is at night. He doesn't really like to be held too long- just wants to go to bed! Ha! Doesn't bother me especially since he is a good sleeper. 11 hours at night and usually 2 naps a day for about 1.5 hours. :-)

He LOVES watching his sister. In fact, some of his biggest smiles are reserved specifically for her. Every time I hear Annabelle say, "Hi, Ethan buddy, Ethan buddy, Ethan buddy," my heart melts because he breaks out with the biggest grin on his face. I hope that they are always close and sweet to each other....

Stats from his 6 month check up are as follows: weight, 15.5.6 lbs (11th %), length 25.75 in (13th %), head circ. 16.8 in (27th %). Little one is officially eating all formula - I think that has a lot to due with the weight gain- and he has started solids. I will post more on that later.

Here are the pics. Happy Half BUDDY!

Fun Times

Nothing catchy about this post... just fun.

Ethan 5 months

Oh my! Things are changing and Ethan is growing... fast! At the beginning of this month he was rolling one way and sitting in the Bumbo for short periods of time. At the end of the month he is rolling everywhere and in all directions and standing/playing in an activity center. He is propping himself up on all fours and threatening to crawl. It won't be too long before he takes off! No stats this time since Dr visit comes next month but Ethan is very easily fitting into 6 month clothes and I am pondering another visit to Target for 9 month pj's this weekend. Big changes this month- E is now officially on formula and he is eating some rice cereal. More on that later. He is eating at 8am, Noon, 4 and 8pm. Ethan sleeps like a champ at night and naps at least twice a day.

Ethan at 4 Months

At 4 months our little guy weighs 13.2 lbs (5th percentile) and is 24.5 in long (14th percentile). He is super smiley and is starting to focus in on his surroundings. He is particularly interested in his big sister (no surprise there) and would watch her all day if he could keep track of her. Ethan is still on breast milk but I mostly pump now since he seems to take bottles with a little more ease. I am also concerned that my supply is dwindling so that is a good way to keep track of it. Ethan is still eating every 3.5 hours but is slowly moving to 4 hr intervals. He eats about 6 oz and sleeps a good 10-11 hours a night.

We have started using the Bumbo. E can sit there for up to five minutes before he gets fussy. It is a good start. I imagine it won't be too long before he can sit on his own.

Ethan at 3 Months

E at 3 months- what a change! He is no longer taking his reflux meds and sleeping through the night. He is rolling over and cooing and smiling A LOT. I don't have stats at 3 months but he is still on the smaller side. The spitting up has drastically reduced and he is settling into a nice napping schedule. Love this little baby boy more every day!