Date: June 10, 2018
Height: 26.25 inches (as of his doctor's appointment on the 18th)
Weight: 14 lbs. 5 oz (^ditto)
Sleeping Pattern: Very similar to last month. He had been going through a short nap phase, though, which is mostly better now. At the very least, it's improved. He takes 3 naps during the day (ranging from 30-90 minutes, usually, occasionally I'll get lucky with a 2 hour one but that's usually only if he had a bad nap prior to that) then he RARELY takes the optional catnap before bedtime (we actually have recently eliminated it completely). Still sleeping really well all night! He went through a rough week where he started rolling onto his tummy in his sleep and then waking up periodically to cry about it but he has finally gotten over that.
Eating Habits: Once again, pretty much the same! He eats 5 times over the course of the day. For awhile he'd been nursing for a while, though. Like 40 minutes, on average (anywhere from 30 minutes-1 hour is typical lately). Not sure if it was a growth spurt, but now he's back to like 20 minutes so *shrug*. No solid foods, yet. Once he's sitting up well we're going to start (and we're using baby led weaning because it makes so much sense and I'm sort of all about it. I'll keep you posted on how it goes once we start)-he's super interested in our food and keeps trying to get it so I think it'll probably go over pretty well lol.
Development: James is a total rolly poly, he rolls and scoots himself all over the place, even in the crib! He has become really intentional about going after what he wants-he now will reach for things and people and try to go after them if he can. He's also very clearly recognizing the people he sees frequently aside from Michael and I (who he's recognized for like...ever)-namely his grandparents (minus my dad) and his aunt Shannan. He gets so excited to see them and it's adorable. Oh and now he understands when he sees you across the room that you are in fact...across the room. So it's like cute and fun and he'll smile at you but then he'll eventually get mad like "HEY YOU GET OVER HERE AND PLAY WITH ME". He also literally just started being able to sit up on his own-technically after his 6 month birthday but before I published this post, lol.
Mischief: James is still enjoying "attacking" us (AKA giving a mischievious grin and then proceeding to "attack"-AKA suck on/chew on-whatever part of your head or neck he can get at lol). He also does a reverse pout--when he pouts, instead of pushing out his lower lip he pushed out his top lip and makes a sad whiny howl-y sound. It's pretty hilarious and adorable. And he's constantly reaching for everythiiing and trying to get at them--including things he shouldn't have like my phone, food, etc.
Cuteness: As always-EVERYTHING HE DOES IS CUTENESS! All the same cute stuff from last month still applies (especially his love of us and of dancing). He's become SUPER cuddly, always laying his head down on your shoulder, and he's even more into kisses now. He gives super super big kisses, especially if you were gone and he's so excited to see you so he'll grab your face and just lay them on you. He gets so excited to see Michael and I, and his grandparents and aunt Shannan too. His smiles and giggles are EVERYTHING. His little top lip pout is so funny and cute. Watching him just amuse himself, talking and making funny sounds and playing with his toys is so adorable. One thing I've forgotten to mention is that, since he was a tiny baby, if you sing "Son of Man" (from Tarzan) there's an 80% chance he will be happy and smile about it. And ya know he's just a really fun and expressive little guy with giant eyes who just loves us and is cute.
Talking: Still playing with different sounds and going through chatty phases. Pretty sure he said "mama" the other day (I said "say mama" and he went "mama"....one and only time it has happened though, lol. Like a day later I said, "say mama" and he looked at me, then looked away and went, "no." so there you have it.) Also started trying to do "raspberries" which is just cute lol.
Favorites: Me and Michael. His grandparents and Aunt Shannan and cousin Bri. Dancing/being sang to. KISSES (he gives SO MANY KISSES NOW! And he loves to receive kisses too. He's an affectionate little fella). His feet (Michael pretty much always gets his feet free of his sleepers when they're playing and James thinks it's the best. James will then will hold them and/or try to suck on them.) Being tickled (namely on his feet and ribs, at the moment). His toys (his soft book has been a favorite this month but he's starting to appreciate all of them). Being smiled at and talked to. People making funny sounds to him. Laughing with mommy and daddy and playing with people in general. When mommy and daddy come home after being away for a bit.
Dislikes: When mommy and daddy are gone for too long. People not paying attention to him. When his teeth are bothering him. Being tired. Being put to bed. Noisiness when he's trying to sleep.
Firsts: Hmm not that many firsts this month. Maybe said "mama" for the first time. Slept on his tummy. Had his first (and potentially only lol) "acting" role (like a second in a small local commercial with me and Michael). Also one June 14 (so 4 days after turning 6 months) he began to be able to sit up unassisted, so not sure if that doesn't count for this update but meh.
Concerns: Sometimes I feel like he doesn't get as much sleep as babies are supposed to get so that stresses me out a smidge, I also still worry about how little he is (but he's eating and sleeping and developing and happy so I think he's just a little baby) but overall he's really doing well so no real concerns!
A Day in the Life: James wakes up around 7AM (hopefully, anyway lol) and either just pushes himself up to look around (because he's usually on his tummy by morning), or starts rolling over and scooting all around the crib until I go get him. Then he eats and we play (and visit with daddy before he goes to work) and I put him down for his nap around 8:45ish. Then he's up again around 10-10:30. We play (some together, and some I leave him to lay down and roll around and play with his toys, I usually try to do dishes or do other random things while he's happy to do that). I also usually will eat and have him sit in his high chair at the table next to me while I do so, so he can get used to it. Back down to nap around 12:30ish. He naps until about 1:30-2 then eats, plays, then back to nap around 3:30-4. Then he naps until 4:30-5ish, eats, and we play some more. Michael usually comes home around now and sometimes we'll all eat dinner together at the table (he chews on his plastic spoons while daddy and I eat). If he's napped badly or woke up closer to 4:30 or just seems tired I used to put him down for a short nap around 6:30, but not let him sleep much later than 7 (I've eliminated it, last time he actually took one he then wasn't tired enough for bedtime). Then around 7:30 we start getting him ready for bed (we change him, read him a book, then I go put him in his sleepsack, and put lotion on his hands). Then I feed him (around 8) in the rocker in his room and afterwards put him right down in his crib where he sleeps all night. Yay!
