oops.
Then came 7 month, like a second later!
I thought blogging would be easier for keeping track of the kiddos... because I couldn't keep up with a baby book or even a journal... apparently "Documenting" is just not my "thing"... no matter the media!
So, here's my best attempt at remembering what all Charlie has done with the last 2 months of his life. :)
M O N T H S
S I X & S E V E N
Stats:
I am squeezing him in some 6 month shirts / onesies... but really he is more 9 month sizing for most things, and close to 12 month for pants! It makes clothes shopping a challenge since his top and his bottom don't line up size wise. Oh well... he poops through everything anyway, what's it matter?
Charlie had his 6 month well check-up and there were no concerns with his growth, which is solid.
19 lbs 11 ounces which puts him in the 70th percentile which is higher than he was.
28 inches long which lands him in the 90th percentile.
Basketball player maybe?? Ballet dancer?? ;)
The visit didn't go quite as smoothly as well check-ups do normally. A few concerns were raised to his development so the last 2 months have been quite full with different appointments, an MRI and so on. Not necessarily what a mama wanted to hear, at a well visit, but now that we got through the last few months things are looking much brighter than they were back at his 6 month mark.
EATING
Now at 7+ months he is only nursing 4 times a day. IT IS GLORIOUS. I forgot how GREAT the 4 hour schedule is when ya get there. It opens up so much of the day and he just seems so much happier getting those full feeds and then having lots of time to play and sleep! :)
Here's his eating schedule:
8:00/8:15
12:30
4:30
7:30/8
I may be in the minority with this little celebratory dance. I know some moms love nursing. Don't get me wrong, there are things I do like about nursing: the cuddles, the intimacy, the bonding, the fact that it's FREE... and so on. However, I long for the days when I can plop some food in front of him on a tray and he can go to town on his own. :)
Speaking of solids.... we just started... at like 7 months. oops.
I tried around 5 months... no go. I tried again off and on at 6 months: no go. So here I am trying again... and so far it's still no-go. I'm not sure what the deal is but he is not taking to solids like... at all.
SLEEPING
This little boy is a sleeper! It's glorious. Ya know... those first few months I wasn't so sure... but he just needed a little guidance and help for success!
Leading up to the 6 month mark he FINALLY dropped that 5-6 am wake up which he was holding on to for so long. There were a few mornings where he woke and fussed at 6 am and I rolled myself out of bed, shuffled to his door and as soon as I reached the door to go in... there was silence; he had fallen back to sleep. So I knew those wonderful 12 hour nights were soon-coming and I was right!
When you are in the throws of newborn life you forget the beauty and glory of sleeping a full night. Then once those full nights come back all the memories of being up throughout the night fade and it is unimaginable to you! :) The mind is a crazy thing!
But 12 hour nights mean a happy, happy baby every morning. I wake him around 8...
okay... sometimes closer to 8:15 depending on how my morning is going.
and he is smiling and cooing and blissfully happy! SERIOUSLY the best!
Up until 6.5 months he was taking 2 solid naps and a cat nap in the evening which looked like this:
Wake 8:00
Nap 9:45-12
Nap 2-4
Nap 5:30-6:15
Bedtime: 8:00
We have since dropped that catnap because it was just creeping too close to bedtime! Now at 7.5 months he has fallen into the 2-nap schedule perfectly and we have our evenings open to run errands or go to the park or whatever. Love it :)
Wake: 8:00
Nap: 10-12
Nap 2:00-4/4:30
Bedtime: 7:30
He goes down easily and wakes happy.
I am a die-hard believer that sleep = a happy baby (and a happy family!)
He is my cute, thumb-sucking, sleepy little boy and I'm so thankful that he loves his rest!
Don't you dare utter the words "lucky" though... this took months of hard work, dedication and self-discipline. Don't you go givin' luck all the credit! ;)
PLAY / DEVELOPMENT
This has been the busiest part of our last few months.
As I mentioned earlier there were some concerns at his 6 month appointment because he was not yet doing what most 6-month-olds are doing. Therefor this month has been pretty filled with weekly PT and OT as well as lots of practice at home for some of those baby-milestones. He needs to build some arm and core strength so that he can progress into the rocking, crawling, moving stage of his babyhood. It's an exhausting process and he doesn't always like the work.... but this too shall pass :)
He discovered his hands. This is absolutely one of my favorite parts of babyhood. The intrigue, the mystery, the eye-crossing wonder of those little hands! They just can't believe it when they find them! I love love love it! And then when they hit themselves in the face trying to get a better look! It's the best comedy ever created! :)
He started to sit up a few weeks back and struggled for awhile...
But now at 7.5 months I think it's safe to say he is an unassisted sitter! :)
He loves his bouncer - even if it is just to sway and swing back and forth and not bounce.
He is so ticklish - you can for sure get laughs out of him when you blow raspberries on his neck or belly, tickle his sides or his chest or play a rousing game of peek-a-boo. His belly laughs are contagious and I wish I could bottle it up and hold onto it forever.
This is what iphone recordings are for! It's better than music; that little laugh!
He loves his sister so so much! She is quick to run in and say good morning and sing to him at bedtime and make him laugh at every moment in between. He gets so excited to see her! He doesn't even seem to care that she nearly crushes him 10 times a day nor that she likes to make him one of her baby-dolls and dress him up and tuck him in or pretends to "help" him with his toys but she takes them for herself instead! He's just glad to have her around!
Lastly, he is a hugger. You pick him up and the first thing he does is squeeze you and bury his face into your neck. Now if only I could somehow bottle up THAT feeling. It's like no other!
Other activities:
- Rocking. He loves to rock as you hold him, as he sits in his bumbo or wherever.
- Sound. He loves sound in general; so being talked to, sung to or having music on are some of his favorite things.
- Male voices. He seems to be drawn to the deep tones of men's voices. He will always turn and respond especially if a male is talking. It's fascinating.
- His thumb. I have yet to be able to get a photo of him sucking on it because it's only when he's sleeping... but it's the cutest thing to see those big lips wrapped around his little thumb.
Little Charlie,
With each passing month you bring us more joy than we could imagine. I love watching you discover new things; like the snow falling outside the window and your cute little hands! Your eyes are always so wide as you take in the big world around you. You are curious and active, but sweet and cuddly too. I know you won't always want mama to just hold and squeeze you like I get to do now, so excuse me while I really take advantage of this opportunity while you are young. My sweet little boy I pray that those wide eyes stay open to the world around as you observe and learn and that they are drawn to those who are in need and and in need of your sweet spirit. May they see others as Christ sees them. And may that tenderness that you have be used to comfort the lost and hurting and may the hands that you so interest you right now be used to serve others for God's glory. These are my prayers for you, sweet boy, as you grow and develop. You have worth. You are special. You were created by a loving God who knit you together with great purpose. Whatever shortcomings you may have, you also have strengths and abilities that are unique and God-given. We love you, every inch of you. May you never doubt it!
All my love.
S I X AND S E V E N
M O N T H
P H O T O
D U M P
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| At the hospital for his MRI |
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| During the stage of practicing sitting... it didn't always go well. |
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| In his Lion gown ready for his MRI |
The End.
See you in a second for that 8 month update! ;)
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