Six months!  You’ve made it half a year, Sweet Boy!  So much of the world is still new to you, but I love seeing you look at some things/activities as if to say, “Hey, I recognize this.  I know what to do here.”

These last few weeks you have made a bunch of small adjustments that have equaled some big changes.

All the sitting up you have been doing now equals sitting for most everything.  One of your favorites is the fact that you now sit up to take your bath.  You find this extremely exciting!  You’ve been doing it for two weeks now, and you still coo and make happy sounds.  Currently, you just sit there holding your bath toy and moving your toes back and forth a little bit.  I love it because it’s so much easier to bathe you, and you don’t splash!

From your first day in the hospital, you always liked to be swaddled.  As time went by, you learned how to break out of the swaddle during the night.  A few weeks ago we decided to stop wrapping your arms.  We still wrap a blanket around you, since that is part of your naptime routine, but no longer do we cover your arms.  Initially, you were not pleased with this arrangement, but after 4 days or so, you got used to it.  I love watching you sleep with your arms spread eagle.  You’re just so cute!!

All the rolling over I’ve been making you do has finally paid off!  Last week, you rolled from your back to tummy.  I didn’t see it, but was alerted to the fact because you starting complaining once you were on your tummy.  ;p  You also find it entertaining to try to roll off the living room chair.  I find this much less enjoyable. Hehe

We’re still working on your sign language.  You’ve started signing the word milk.  And seem to recognize Daddy, Momma, more and all done.  We’ve added the words – eat, full, bed, pajama, and bath.  I’m looking forward to you being able to communicate with us.

The weather has been nice lately, so we’ve been going for walks and spending afternoons on the patio.  You love sitting in the deck chair with your toys, feeling the breeze and watching the dogs run and play.  Sometimes we’ll sit on a blanket in the yard, but you generally don’t like to do this for long periods.  I think the sun bothers you, even though you’ve got your sunglasses and hat on.

Earlier this week we had some errands to run.  Instead of lugging you around in your carrier (hello, you’re getting heavy!) I decided to carry you around in my arms.  You thought this was pretty fantastic.  When you’re in your carrier, you observe the world around you, but you don’t generally engage with people and activities.  In my arms however, you were reaching for things, smiling and saying, “hey” to people passing by.

A couple days ago, we all took a big step.  Ok, I’ll admit, it was probably a bigger step for me than for you. :)   Anyway, you started eating food.  Or, FOOD!, as you seemed to exclaim.  You thought it was pretty awesome.  Right now, it’s just a snack that you get in addition to your daily milk.  We just started sweet potatoes and you REALLY liked them!  We’re going to continue adding fruits and veggies over the next few weeks.

Looking back on what is written above has reminded me just how much you have changed.  You’ve left behind that newborn phase and have definitely moved into the baby phase.  As I type this, you’ve just woken up and are talking with your daddy.  I love hearing the two of you chat.  You’ve started using your voice so much more.  I can’t wait till you start forming words.

I love you so much!

Mommy

Weight: 17lb, 3.5oz

Height: 27″

You celebrate five months today, baby Daniel.  Time is going by quickly, so I suppose I won’t be able to call you a baby much longer.  It’s hard to believe that this time last year, we were still getting used to the idea of having a baby.  Now, I can’t imagine life without you.

February has brought about a big change for you.  You started staying awake for longer periods (2+ hours) and eating fewer times a day.  This has given us lots more play time and the ability to get out and about for longer trips.

It has also brought about fewer naps, but you still generally take three solid naps a day.  For a while I was trying to squeeze in a fourth nap, but finally figured out that you would just rather stay awake for three or four hours in the evening and then go to bed early, instead of napping and going to bed later.  I am definitely ok with this!  :)  You currently go to bed around 7:30-8pm and sleep till 6-7am.

We are still working on your sitting up and rolling back and forth.  You are getting better at both, although you much prefer the sitting to the rolling around.  Lately though, it’s been all about your toes!  Any time we lay you down you go for the toes.  You grab them, pull on them and just generally try to get them into your mouth!  If you can pull your socks off while you play with them, you’re all the happier.

Daddy swears that you can say Momma.  And I have to admit, you do get pretty close, but it sounds more like “Mmmmmmm” to me, and you only say it when you’re mad or frustrated.  LOL!  Over the last month, we’ve been using sign language with you on a few words – Momma, Daddy, milk, more, done.  You seem to be catching on, although, “milk” is the only sign I’m positive you know.

Reading to you before bedtime has become one of my favorite things.  You enjoy the books, but right now, your favorite part is turning the pages and/or closing the book.  You’ll usually last for three books before you’re ready to sleep.

We had our first snow of the year last week.  Your very first snow!  I was quite excited about it, but you were rather unimpressed.  You didn’t like me stuffing you into a snowsuit, nor did you like the cold air.  But I think you’ll like it in a couple years when you can sled and build snowmen!

You’re still the happiest baby I’ve ever known.  If someone says “Boo” or “Peek-a-boo” you generally reward them with a big toothless grin and sometimes a laugh.  We’re still waiting for the full on belly laugh.  You get so close to it.

I am looking forward to springtime with you – going for walks, lunch on the patio, etc.  You are very interested in the world around you and it will be fun introducing you to all the outdoor sights and sounds.

Love you baby boy,

Momma

Happy 4 months, sweet boy!  This last month has been my favorite with you so far.  You still continue to be the happiest baby I know.

Sitting up has become your new thing to do.  You smile so big when I pull you into the sitting position.  You’re so proud of yourself.  You also love to sit in the activity bouncer.  At first we had prop you with blankets, but now you sit in there all by yourself, just like a big boy.

Taylor Swift is still your favorite musician.  And “Shake it Off” is definitely your favorite song.  You sit transfixed when watching her music video on You Tube.  We’ve tried other songs, but you get bored with them, or start fussing after only a few seconds.

Daddy has become your best buddy as of late.  I love watching you twist your head around to see him when you hear him come into the room.  You giggle and squeal when he lets you touch and grab at his face and hair.  I don’t find it quite as amusing when you do this to me, so we’ll just let that be a guy thing for now. bigsmile

You’ve started reaching out to touch the puppy dogs lately.  Eddie doesn’t find this amusing, so he moves away quickly.  But Brinkley is willing to sit there and let you touch and grab her….just as long as she gets to lick your hand!  Eddie still keeps a close eye on you though.  He is the first to let us know that you’re awake, and he still whines when you cry.  When he comes in from outdoors, you’re still the first person he runs to find.

You’re still sleeping like a big boy.  At least 9-10 hours a night, with an hour and a half morning nap, and a couple smaller naps throughout the day.  You definitely have a daily routine because you get fussy when that schedule is off.  I’ve learned that it’s important to let you get yourself back on schedule as soon as possible – it makes the day much more enjoyable for both of us.

I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to stay home with you these four months, and I’m looking forward to spending the next four with you as you start sitting, crawling and eating.

I love you, Daniel! heart

Weight: 15 lb, 8 oz

Length: 25.25 inches

Daniel, today you are three months old.  As they say, it’s amazing how time flies.  I absolutely love being your mommy.  You’ve grown and changed so much in these past few months.

You’re so inquisitive about the world around you.  In the past couple weeks, you’ve really started paying attention to what’s going on – whether watching the dogs move around, or following Daddy and I as we walk away, or even watching TV (you prefer football and cartoons, by the way smile  ).

Everyone who meets you comments on how happy you are, and it’s true.  You only cry for a few reasons – you’re hungry, sleepy or need a diaper change.  Once those are taken care of, you are all smiles, cooing and talking up a storm.  You eat really well, although, once in a while [Read more…]