Ash - 7 Months

I turned 7 months old today.  Momma tried to take my picture and I just laughed at her and stuck out my tongue.  Okay, so eventually I cooperated, but she keeps talking about wanting to invest in an SLR so she can get shots even when I'm busy moving - which is most of the time!

Neener-neener

I've recently had a growth spurt b/c when momma measured me at home, I'm up an inch and a pound.  My height was 27.2" and my weight was 16.4 lbs, which means I'm still hanging out around 50% for height and 15-20% for weight.  Consistent; that's my middle name.  Okay, well really it's Logan, but you know what I mean :) I'm currently wearing mostly 9mo clothes with just a few 6mo and 12mo in the mix.

I've been eating more and more new things all the time.  I've got quite a range of fruits and veggies, and I'm working on trying some new grains and meats too (quinoa and barley and chicken, oh my!).  Some veggies I didn't like at first, but momma mixed them with some fruit and I started to learn to like them on their own eventually.

 

You know how last time I wrote, I wasn't sitting up yet?  Well a few days later I decided it was time, and I haven't looked back since!  I'm not kidding, one day I was tipping over and the very next day I was doing it all on my own.  

Can you find the baby in this picture?

I've also been very active in my physical development in other ways.  I'm not crawling yet, but I roll and spin all over the floor, and work on my push ups and "superman" so I'll be strong enough to start crawling when I decide it's time.  One day momma came in the room and I had pulled the liner out of my toy basket and gotten it flipped over on myself.  I love to explore everything around me.  

I like playing with the dogs' toys too

I've gotten better with my hands too.  I'm in the beginning stages of figuring out how to point my finger and use the elusive pincer grasp.  Momma's been letting me have a few puffs after meals to practice.  I also practice grabbing her hair or clothes or whatever she's got in her hands if she's holding me.

I've started to work on my verbal skills as well.  I can be found talking to myself or my toys or anyone who will listen.  I like to giggle at the dogs and the superheroes on the shelf in my room.  You'd be surprised how loud a little guy like me can be! 

 

One night while momma was finishing her shower, daddy decided to read me a bedtime story.  But if you know my dad, you know he couldn't pick a typical bedtime story.  He read me a couple stories out of his Scary Stories Treasury.  But you know what?  I loved it anyway, and I slept fine.

It's been an interesting month for sleep!  I've had growth spurts and teething fits and developmental leaps that made momma fear my regular schedule was a thing of the past.  But finally in the last week or so I've found my rhythm again, and I'm back to sleeping 7-10 hrs before waking just to nurse, making a grand total of 11-13 hrs/night. Momma finally finished my 2nd sleep sack.  She messed up the zipper and had to redo it, so it took her a while to find the time to work on it, but it's super cozy and super cute, don't ya think?

Also this month, momma and I took an impromptu road trip to Farmington, NM to visit with her friend Cassandra and her family.  It was a LOOOONG day in the car down there on a Tuesday and a LOOOONG day in the car back two days later on Thursday, but we made it.  We stopped for lunch in Pagosa Springs where daddy and momma had their honeymoon, at the McDonald's that was near their timeshare.  And let me tell you, I've never been so happy to see my home, my daddy, and my dogs!  I just laughed and smiled the whole night when we got home.

And the biggest change happened this week.  Momma got a job, which means I have a friend come to play 3-4 days a week.  She's a cute girl that's two months older than me.  She crawls and pulls up to standing already, and she's eating all sorts of finger foods.  It's exciting to see what I have to look forward to.  And I LOVE having someone to talk to during the day.  I'll have to ask her momma if it's ok for us to take a picture together for next month's blog post.  In the meantime, I'll leave you with a few pictures that Jordan took while she was here that didn't make it onto her blog.  If you haven't already checked it out, you should do that when you're done here!  http://www.jordanweilandphoto.com/

Me and Elijah

Chewing momma's shirt

We did a few pictures during my morning nursing session and Dexter decided to snuggle in too

Giggling and laughing at momma-tickles on the changing table

Ash - Six month update

HALF A YEAR!  Can you believe I'm already six months old?!  We can't.  Momma keeps saying "I swear, we just brought you home from the hospital yesterday!" and I hear my parents reminiscing about how tiny and floppy I was 6 months ago.  I'm strong and active now!

It's tough getting me to leave Super-bear alone long enough to snap that perfect shot

Even when you cut out all the blurry pictures, there's still a lot of movement

I don't have my doctor's visit for another 10 days, but according to mom's home measurements I'm 15.6 lbs and 26.5 in long.  This puts me around the 15-20th% for weight and the 50th% for height.  Momma was pretty sure that the nurse accidentally measured wrong at my last appointment (I was squirming and my head didn't look like it was touching the top of the measuring pad) and now she's convinced; my #'s would mean I haven't grown at all in 2 months.  That's just not possible as I'm starting to stretch the legs on my 6 mo pj's and kicked the zipper out of my sleep sack that got too small.  So while Nanoo was here she worked with momma on making a new sleep sack and it's great to have about 6 more inches of room to move and grow.  Now momma's trying to do a 2nd one by herself, but she hasn't finished it yet. 

Homemade sleep sack

Oh my goodness it's been a busy, full month!  My visit with Nanoo and Popoo was great.  I loved all the attention and had a blast hanging out at restaurants with Aunt Lindsey and Elijah too.

Fun at Texas Roadhouse

During the two weeks they were here my mom also watched another baby, so I had fun with my buddy Abigail the afternoons she spent here.  She's four months older than me and does some cool stuff like crawling and standing up at the play table.  I can't wait to try that stuff in a few months; it looks like so much fun!

I went with momma & daddy to see Amazing Spiderman and loved it.  I watched some, listened while I nursed, and honestly slept through most of it.  But mom and dad kept telling me how much they loved how I behaved, and they can't wait to go see Batman next week b/c they're not worried about me.  I love to make them happy!
  

Last week was a busy week too.  I started eating "solids", which really just means runny purees but boy is it fun!  Pros : avocados and bananas.  Cons : yellow squash and peas.  But all-in-all I really dig this eating thing.  I may start to gain weight if you don't watch out b/c when I love something I'll just keep eating and eating as long as you'll feed it to me.  Of course if I don't like it, that's a different story... ;-D

Avocado - yummy!

Squash - gross!

Also last week was momma's birthday; I can't imagine being 32 MONTHS old, let alone 32 YEARS!!!  But she said it was perfect because she got to hang out with me and Aunt Chellie all day.  Let me tell you, I love my Aunt Chellie!  The minute she walked in the door I could tell she was a baby person, and I gave her all my best smiles.  We had a blast, and we're all bummed she couldn't stay longer than two days.

Every year in July is Cow Appreciation Day where you get free chicken at Chick-fil-A by dressing like a cow.  Last year I went in momma's belly, but this year I got to go in my own cow outfit.

I've really been enjoying my freedom of movement now that I can roll.  I roll all over the living room when I'm on the floor and can grab whatever toys I want.  It's always an adventure to see what position I'll be in when you come get me out of my crib.  I've also been working on my sitting skills.  I'm getting better every day, but still not quite independent yet.  I do great sitting on the couch or with some help on the floor, but you know I'll be doing it on my own in no time.

The upcoming month is going to be a little less busy but still fun. We're going to hang out at Mark & Melissa's (yay, I love Arianna!) in a couple weeks with Sam & Jenna (& the little bun in her oven); the adults like to play games together, and I guess this is the last shindig with Sam & Jenna b/c they're moving soon.  Jordan & Jason are coming to visit us for a day and take pictures at the end of July; momma's super excited about getting some photos by Jordan b/c apparently she's the best.  We can't wait to show them Garden of the Gods and the beauty of Colorado Springs!  After that things settle for a while, but you never know what excitement is waiting just around the corner!! :)

Happy Father's Day and Five Months!

Can you believe I'm 5 months old!?  At my appointment a couple weeks ago I weighed 13.5lbs and measured 26.5".  That puts me around 15% for weight and 90% for height.  We're all wondering where I get my tall genes from.  No one who sees me in the carrier with mom thinks I'm as young as I am.

5 months old and I can hold my own bottle

Developmentally this has been a BIG month for me.  Momma thought I was going to be sitting and rolling by now, but she forgot that babies can only focus on one thing at a time.  I picked rolling.  I can now roll from my tummy to my back whenever I want; goodbye tummy time!  I'm almost rolling from my back to my front, too, but since my tummy isn't my favorite place to be I don't usually go all the way.  So now I'll start working on my sitting skills; keep an eye out for pictures of me sitting soon!

Working my core - I'll be sitting on my own soon!

I've also gotten a LOT more verbal this month.  I'm still not babbling with consonant sounds much, but boy-oh-boy you should hear my ear-piercing squeals.  Sometimes I squeal when I'm upset, but you're just as likely to catch me squealing for fun.  When I wake up in the morning, I don't fuss; I just play and talk and squeal in my crib till momma comes to get me.  My parents are always looking for ways to make me giggle and belly laugh, too; they think it's so cute and funny.

Playing with my new buddy Jackson

Those pesky teeth still haven't come in, so now I've been teething off and on for 2 whole months.  I hope I get a couple by next month!  Daddy wonders if I'll be as cute without my toothless grin, but you just wait and see ;-D  Momma's been trying to figure out each night if it's teeth or developmental issues or the stomach bug she and daddy had or something else, but this past week I have stopped sleeping through the night and I'm waking up 1-2 times before my 5am feeding.  I think she'll be a lot happier when I start sleeping through the night again.  And I'm still not completely consistent with my naps, but I've started going to sleep on my own and will often sleep for a couple hours at a time.  Not sleeping through the night and all the hard playing I do makes me tired!

My visit with Lola was WONDERFUL.  She was sick and kept apologizing for being "lame" or something, but I LOVED having her here.  Whenever I was upset (which was a few times thanks to teeth and accidental dairy digestion), she held me and burped me and walked around with me.  Plus she makes cool noises with her tongue which I'm still trying to figure out how to make, and sings me the best little songs.  Some of them are real, but I swear she makes some of them up on the spot.

Today we picked up Nanoo and Popoo at the airport and they're going to spend a couple days with us at the beginning of this week and the end of the week too.  They're going to visit the mountains for a romantic getaway in between, plus they've gotta spend some time with Aunt Lindsey and Elijah while they're here.  Don't you think they're going to LOVE hanging out with me?!

Dexter and I LOVE playing together

In July we've got some exciting things planned too.  There's a slim possibility that Aunt Christen & Uncle Jonathan & the cousins might come for 4th of July.  We're going to go see the new Spiderman movie while daddy has off for the holiday too.  Then momma and daddy might take me to Denver on the 7th to meet up with an old friend of theirs, Mr. Justin, who's going to be there for a few days.  On the 8th, Aunt Chellie comes to see me and celebrate momma's birthday.  And then before you know it I'll be six months old!  Half a year; that's exciting!!

Ash - 4 months!

4 months old.  It seems like an accomplishment!  Especially when you've been as busy as I have in the past month. I've moved to 6 month pajamas and I'm wearing 3-6 month clothes.  My 4 month dr's appointment isn't for another couple weeks, but momma's scales say I'm up to 13.5 lbs.  I'm right on track with my weight gain, and we all can't wait to find out how TALL I am.

I've been teething off and on the whole month, but still haven't managed to get a tooth out.  You'll almost always find me with my fingers or my burp cloth or something in my mouth.  I'd love to gnaw on your fingers too. :)  I've also discovered my tongue, and have been making momma and daddy laugh by sticking it out unexpectedly.  I love making them laugh!

I've also been busy working on the skills of sitting and rolling.  I'm not strong enough to sit on my own yet, but I'm convinced I'll have it down by the end of next month.  I also accidentally rolled over a couple times one day, so I'm going to figure out how to control that a little better this month too.  I'll be moving before you know it!

 The weather outside lately has been gorgeous!  Momma and I try to get out every couple days for a walk, even if it's just to the mailbox and back.  We like to lay in the backyard too, and look up at the trees.  We've made a couple new friends (Mrs. Christy and baby Brynlee), so we try to get together with them every week or so for a hike.  I like to take a nap while mom does the work of walking.

Naps this month have been sporadic.  First it was our trip to FL, then teething, and then a growth spurt.  But I'm finally back to sleeping regularly this week, and everyone is happier. Next week Lola Shelia is coming to visit, and I just can't wait.  Don't you think she's going to love spending the week with this happy boy!?

Ash - 3 months

Three months old; can you believe it?  This month has been a lot of unexpected twists and turns.  I'm continuing to grow, but so far I'm still fitting my 3 month clothes.  My pj's are already starting to get a little short, but I'll fit in them till at least my next growth spurt.  I'm weighing over 12 lbs now according to momma's scales.

I'm getting better and better at tummy time and holding my head up.  I'm pretty strong.

I've also started babbling more and more.  Instead of just oohs and ahhs I've started adding consonants.  My favorite is M, so I say "mem" and "mom" a lot.  I also like "agoo" and "bbrr", but plan to up my repertoire significantly in the weeks to come.

I'm also working on getting my first teeth.  My mom was at least 10 months old before her first ones, but daddy had his first at 3 months and a full set by a year old, so apparently I take after him.  They haven't broken through yet, but I'm gnawing on anything I can get my hands on (or just my hands!) and fussy and drooling.  We all can't wait till they break through and the pain eases up so we can get back to our regular routine of playing and napping and smiling.

Turns out Lola Shelia won't be able to come visit till May; but momma & daddy & I ended up taking an unexpected trip to Florida, so she and Papa Dave drove down to meet me.  They watched me during the funeral service so my momma could say goodbye to her granny, and they took me shopping for some cute 6 month pj's and outfits.  I was a good traveler and only fussed a little for momma and daddy on the airplanes.  Mostly just at the beginning - giving a bad first impression - but I usually slept and nursed for most of the flight each time.  I also got to spend a lot of time with Nanoo and Popoo, and met my uncles John and Joel as well as a LOT of extended family & family-friends.  I took my first trip to the beach for a family dinner, and Nanoo and momma walked down to put our feet in the water.  I didn't like it; it was too cold - but maybe when I'm older.

I've got no visitors for the next month, so my plans revolve around developing my verbal skills, working on sitting and rolling and tummy time activities, getting better and better at grabbing things (and sticking them in my mouth), and getting these teeth through the gums.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you, Happy 2 Months to me

I just had my 2 month check up and I weigh 10.8 lbs (31%) and I'm 23.5 inches tall (74%). Momma has pretty much put away all my newborn clothes now and she ordered some onesie extenders to accommodate my growing length and my bulky cloth diapers.

I've grown developmentally too!  I'm making eye contact and smiling.  I'll even chuckle a little occasionally.  I gave my daddy a treat last weekend when I gave him his first good smiles from me AND my first laughs ever.

I'm also getting better at my motor control.  I love to play on my play mat (sometimes for over half an hour!) practicing my hand-eye coordination by hitting the toys and making them jingle and rattle.  I also like to suck/gnaw on my fingers and thumb, so I've been working on getting my hand to my mouth when I want it.  My parents think I'm going to be right-handed b/c that's the one I use more already.

I take after my momma because I love to sleep at night.  On a rough night I'll wake up after 5 hrs to feed, but most nights she can count on me staying down for 6-8 hrs before I'm too hungry to sleep anymore.  She says she's lucky to have such an easy baby b/c she'd be a wreck without HER sleep.

My 3 yr old cousin Elijah took this picture!

I'm also like momma b/c I almost always sneeze twice; I guess my Poppoo Roger is a multi-sneezer too. (You can catch me sneezing at the end of this video.  Sorry for the noise; my daddy's video game is a little loud)  For now I still have blue eyes, and I share momma's fair skin too.

I'm like daddy in a lot of other physical features.  I have daddy's ears and nose and dark hair.  I even have a little of his cowlick too :)  I have a little bit of a sensitive stomach and mommy's had to give up dairy till my digestive system matures a little more.  I'm also not the snuggling type; my parents call me "independent".

I've already started to develop strong opinions about things and don't hesitate to voice them... I guess I get that from both sides! :-D


Daddy loves when he comes home from work and I'm in a good mood so he can play with me and make me smile.  He's got nice dark features so I can see him clearly, and I love when he tweaks my nose.  We like to watch TV together too. He's a little frustrated that I've taken my bottle from strangers, but am still giving him a hard time; mom's convinced we'll get it down this month.

Momma loves it best when she lays me on the changing table and I give her big smiles.  She's so happy that my hair is growing back in already, and she appreciates that I'm starting to settle into a little bit of a routine now that I'm 2 months old.

I've had a great week this week hanging out with my Nanoo Patti.  She took care of me so momma could run some errands during the week and so both my parents could go out for a nice dinner.  She's a pro at getting babies to sleep and has helped me start learning how to suck on my pacifier.

Aunt Chellie got sick and couldn't come this week, so hopefully I'll get to meet her this summer, but my Lola Shelia is coming next Tuesday and I can't wait to meet her!  I've skyped with her, but it'll be so nice to get hugs and kisses in person.