Sleeping:
Still not amazing but definitely not terrible. We tried sidecarring his crib to our bed but Jack really just wants to snuggle us so if he isn't in the Rock 'n Play next to my bed, then he is snuggling us in bed. It makes it so much easier for sidelying to nurse. I can just sleep while he nurses then he dozes back to sleep. He is nursing about every two hours for a quick meal. He goes to bed between 8 and 9 and is up around 5:30-6, occasionally wanting to party between 3 and 4. Occasionally we use the Woombie but his startle reflex is starting to go away and that helps lessen that need. Great napper, though!
Eating:
Using Baby Led Weaning, as I discussed in a previous post (can't link on mobile, but check it out), Jack had his first solid on 2/20-avocado. He has since ate/painted avocado often since then but also tried banana, frozen banana, cantaloupe, broccoli, tofu, oatmeal, baked apples with nutmeg and cinnamon, stir fry veggies, sweet potatoes, cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, toast, carrots and pita bread. He acts like food is tart and shivers and makes a bitter face each time but then he loves it once he gets a few bites in. He is also enjoying feeding Sofía. I was doing dishes at the end of a meal the other night and I heard giggles and I look over and he was feeding her some food he stashed in his high chair and she was licking it up. What a crazy duo those two will be. I absolutely the no fuss, no worry, laid back approach of baby led weaning. We all have so much fun at meal time. We are still breastfeeding and I am very much looking forward to only having to pump at work for three more months (until we are out for the summer). Nursing is enjoyable, pumping is not. My tea has helped me to replenish my freezer stash a little and I am so thankful for that, even if it makes me smell like Aunt Jemima. Either way I am so in love with nursing now that it is no longer painful, is quick and he is happy. I am so thankful to be at this place now. On a side note, we think solids are helping Jack's reflux and plan to try to wean him off his Zantac.
Activities/Favorites:
Some of Jack's favorite things: patting his diaper, "punching" us when we say "pow, pow, pow", loves Sofia, Leo and Gato so much (petting, talking to, playing with), enjoys the car and carseat so much and I never thought I would say that-he actually sleeps often (unless we are out in public-then Boba or Girasol babywearing wrap for sure!) (the minute we put him in the carseat he will poop!), he is ticklish, likes if we growl at him or fake bite his hands, enjoys eskimo kisses, his favorite toy is his raspberry teether or sitting up at his activity mat that has crinkly toys, and likes when Daddy reads "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom". Daboinging and bouncing are favorite activities, too. When he is sleepy, he now hums himself to sleep.
Development:
He is super loud and loves, loves, loves to talk, bounces 24/7 in every position you put him in (in your arms, on your hip, laying down, etc.), dramatic fake coughs to get us to laugh, says "Mom mom mom mom" like an old man wearing dentures (and sometimes "bababababa" and a few "dadadada"), can sit up unassisted but needs us to be near in case he reaches too far forward or his big cloth diaper butt causes him to tip backwards, reaches for us (my favorite time of the day when I come home and he reaches for me with a big gummy smile-still no teeth!), throws temper tantrums when he wants something (like his own wet wash cloth during bath time to suck on), is wearing 6 to 9 and 9 month clothes and weighs 16 pounds 1 oz and measures 26.5inches long (25th and 50th percentiles respectively). We are also going to start baby sign language with him over the next few weeks.
I look back at his older posts and I can not believe that 6 months ago he was just a little baby blob and now he is a fully interactive little boy with thoughts, feelings, desires and lots of personality and things to say. I have to say we are so lucky to have an easy going and happy baby. Anyone that is around him or meets him for the first time is in aw of how chill he is. He just lights up my life and I am so thankful to be his mommy. I am now back to my pre-pregnancy weight (and dare I say, a few pounds lighter) but my clothes do not and probably will not fit the same ever again (damn mom pouch). Ah well, he is definitely worth it :)
