Happy Birthday to Elliott!

Somehow Elliott has become a little kid instead of a baby!

(Note:I wrote this on 6/14 but never published)

Size

Elliott weighed in at 20 lbs 5.5 oz for his 1 year check up, which is all the way up to 34th percentile! His height was 28.5 inches, which is only 8th percentile, so we are wondering if he's about to spurt (and grow out of all his clothing at once like he did his 9 month stuff). His head circumference was 17.75 in, or 22nd percentile. Previously, all 3 hovered around 20th. Clothing wise, he still wears 9-12 month clothing, but some of the shirts are too small (shorts are generally okay). The weather has been nutty, so I'm a bit sad that he might not even wear all the boys' cutest summer outfits once before he grows out of them. For the first time, Elliott is not going to match up clothing wise with the boys. Outfits that they wore on vacation at 16 months are looking too small on Elliott. Its a good thing his birthday party is tomorrow, we don't have any summer 18 month clothes. Shockingly, his 9-12 month sleep and plays still fit. 

Eat-Sleep-Play

I made it to one year nursing! Hooray! I currently still nurse him 3 times a day, upon waking, around 3, and at bed time. Hopefully we will cut the midday nurse soon, but he doesn't quite seem ready. He refuses all bottles, which makes me a little sad because we still have tons of frozen breastmilk. Perhaps when we drop all nursing he'll take a bottle/sippy cup in the am and/or before bed. Elliott's crib is in his own room now and he is doing well. He sometimes wakes up in the night, but goes back to bed without eating. Being home with his daddy has done him well with his nap schedule. He usually takes 2 naps, either both being 60-90 minutes, or one being longer, like 2 hours, and then a short 30 minute nap. Sometimes his first nap is long enough that he ends up not taking a second nap.  He goes down great for dad, but still cries his face off if mom is the one to put him down. 

Elliott still only has 2 teeth, but is possibly working on those top two right now. Yesterday he was trying to chew everything, he has been extra drooly, and he had a rough night last night. We shall see! He still eats like a champ! His favorite foods are spaghetti, burrito bowls, pierogies, rice, fruit (any kind really, but especially berries), and cheese. He eats turkey and cheese sandwiches, which blows my mind, and can eat an entire slice of pizza. His former love, yogurt, he now refuses to eat, which is a pain because he wont eat that or drink bottles and we need to get him to take his probiotics. While he still does not prefer meat, he likes sausage, meatballs, and chicken or fish when is has a tasty sauce on it. He likes anything with tomato sauce on it.  He. Loved. Cake. Likes ice cream too, although he'll eat a lot more cake than ice cream.

Elliott is still cruising (one handed). When he's distracted, he'll let go and stand for a second or two, but generally, he won't try to stay without support. He still uses furniture as a walker instead of his actual walkers, although he likes the shopping cart. His favorite toys are balls. On his birthday he spent the day in a ball pit and couldn't have been happier. He also loves these popsicles with letters that Uncle Chris bought the boys years ago. He can often be seen with at least on in his hand. His other new thing is pointing. At first, it was helpful to know what he wanted, but now he points at everything. Anything he is interested in and wants us to look at or get him, anywhere he wants to go, etc.

Personality

Elliott is still Mr. Personality. His new jam is giving mommy raspberries. If mommy lays down and pats her stomach, he smiles, crawls over, and gives raspberries. When he makes a good fart sound he laughs hysterically. He has also been known to do it to mommy's arm, shoulder, leg, face, pretty much anywhere skin is showing. Elliott also loves to dance and listen to music. He likes to explore everywhere, but always comes back for a cuddle.He loves his family and has been better about letting other people hold him, even men.  

Likes:

Mommy, Daddy, brothers, Penguin, Mema, balls, ball pit, cake, cruising, food (especially fruit, cheese, spaghetti, burritos, and pierogies), the pool, plants, balloons, toy ice pops, and toy cars.

Dislikes: Being told no, getting his diaper changed, waiting for food, and mommy putting him down for a nap (anyone else is okay).

New this month:

Pointing, barely holding on when walking, raspberries on mommy, dancing, happy food dance

11 months

How is our little man coming up on a year old already? His first 11 months have gone WAY too fast!!

Size

Elliott has been having nonstop ear infections, so he is constantly at the doctor. According to his last visit, on 5/9, he is 19 lbs, 7.5 oz. Clothing wise, he still fits in some 6-9 onesies, but we don't think it will be long before he grows out of his 9-12 month sleep and plays. He is already too big for the children's place 12 month t-shirts, which made Steve pretty sad.  For the most part, 12 month stuff fits him perfectly, but I suspect that he will spend far less time in 12 month stuff than he did in 9 month.  

Eat-Sleep-Play

I'm trying to make it to 1 year with the nursing, but am not sure it will happen. Elliott has stopped the night cycling and either sleeps from 8-5 or wakes up once, even on weekends. He sometimes refuses the after school feed, which is why the nursing may not last. Little demand = little supply. At school he started eating the provided lunch, which ended up causing him to only take 1 nap a day, which is pretty consistently an hour and a half. On the weekend, we still have difficulty with naps, and he will usually take on in the car or in the stroller when we are out and about. 

Elliott continues to eat regular food, although he has gotten a bit more picky. he got his first 2 teeth on the dame day (4/22/18) and likes to have food he can hold and bite. We took him on his first trip to the aquarium on 5/5 (which he loved) and he grabbed a chicken finger out of my hand and ate it (the breading was not super crunchy). We suspect he has a top tooth, but have never seen it. He loves fruit, cheese, bread, pasta, and beans. He generally does not prefer meat, although he does still like meatballs. He eats yogurt every morning with added probiotics because he has spent so much of his life on antibiotics for his constant ear infections (he has an appt with ENT on 7/2). 

Elliott is still cruising and not any closer to standing or walking. He crawls so fast we are afraid he will skip walking and just run. He likes to use furniture as a walker (especially the ottoman) instead of his actual walkers, because they move too quickly on the hard floor. Elliott loves seeing gravity in action and throwing balls. The plastic balls from the poppity pop dino and the gumball machine are his favorite toys. He has started doing "so big" and has begun waving on his own. 

Personality

Elliott is Mr. Personality. He is still a very happy boy, but he is also very willful. He likes to cuddle sometimes, but usually would rather play. He is still crazy about mommy, but continues to be good about letting other family members hold him, although he still prefers females (except dad and brothers). He likes to be passed back and forth from person to person and holds one arm out to show he wants to go to a person. He wants to climb all over and play with his brothers and often seeks them out. Diaper changing has become an Olympic event, as he not only cries, but fights and twists around trying to get on his hands and knees.

Likes:

Mommy, Daddy, brothers, Penguin, balls, standing, banging things, cheese, blueberries, bread, hugs, baths, exploring, and playing. Crawling into his brothers' rooms and trying to get into the bathroom.

Dislikes: Being more than 5 feet from mommy or daddy, getting his diaper changed, waiting for food.

New this month:

Teeth, so big!, biting foods

10 months!

10 months

How are we at 10 months???!?

Size

At his late 9 month appointment, Elliott was 27.5 in long (13th percentile),  weighed 17 lbs 8 oz (13%), and his head was 17.5 in (29%). According to our home scale, he is now 18 lbs, 6 oz. He still fits in most of the 6-9 month stuff, although he has grown out of his sleep and plays and his 1 piece outfits. 

Eat-Sleep-Play

I continue to nurse Elliott around 5:30am, when I get home from work (although he sometimes fights this feed, and 7:30. He has relaxed a little with the night nursing, but still gets up to nurse once on most nights. The night cycling (nursing every 3 hours) is much worse on the weekend. He doesn't nurse enough during the day and usually wont take bottles, and ends up being a monster at night. Then he's up for good at 6:30 or 7. At school he still gets a 2 oz bottle and 2-4 oz bottles (last one being formula) although sometimes he drinks them all, sometimes he drinks half.  He still gets very distracted and nurses best when tired.  Elliott generally takes 2 naps a day, one usually 1-2 hours, and the other usually around 30-45 minutes.

Elliott was still not wanting to eat baby food, so on his brother's birthday, I decided to give him spaghetti and meatballs with the rest of the family. He LOVED it! Dr. Lancellotti said if that's what he prefers, to go for it and feed him whatever we are eating. He's had porkchops, couscous, grilled chicken, rice, steak, burger, pierogis, all sorts of vegetables, etc. He does not like red meat (especially burgers), and his favorite foods are cheese (any kind!), blueberries, and bread. He also really likes pasta and generally prefers sides over meat. We have been ordering him his own meal at restaurants, which is crazy. 

Elliott has been crawling all over and never stays in one place. He is always pulling up to standing and has been only holding on with one hand, and even bending down to pick things up. He has started to cruise, and even took a few steps with his walker. He is on the go!

He still loves toys, especially things he can bang together. He also still likes toys he can smack, and loves to knock everything off any surface he can reach. His brothers are finally learning they cant leave things out - he is everywhere!

Personality

Elliott is still a happy happy boy. He is happiest with mommy, but has been pretty crazy about daddy too. He cries when daddy leaves daycare in the morning and when he sees mommy when she picks him up. In general he prefers women, but he has been great about letting family members hold him, and has been extra snuggly with them. He smiles and laughs all the time and loves to play. He still does the bashful hiding when he sees people, but lately has made it into a game. He adores his brothers and loves to be around them and play with them. He gets the giggles when he pets his puppy and is just crazy about her. 

Likes:

Mommy, Daddy, brothers, Penguin, toys, standing, banging things, cheese, blueberries, hugs, baths, exploring, and playing. Crawling into his brothers' rooms and trying to get into the bathroom.

Dislikes: Being more than 5 feet from mommy or daddy, getting his diaper changed, waiting for food.

New this month:

Cruising, standing holding on with one hand, taking steps with walker, eating real meals.

9 months

Better late than never!

Size

Elliott has been to the doctor for sickness (will this winter ever end??) but we had to push off his well visit. At his last appointment, he weighed 17 lbs 10 oz. He generally fits in  6-9 month stuff, although he is starting to grow out of some of the onesies and one piece outfits. The majority of his sleep and plays still fit as well, but I'm not sure how much longer.   

Eat-Sleep-Play

I continue to nurse Elliott at 5:30am (or 4am, or 4:30), 4:30 pm, and 7:30 or 8pm. Lately he has also wanted to nurse in the middle of the night (1 or 2). At school he gets a 2 oz bottle and 2-4 oz bottles (last one being formula) although he still doesn't always finish his bottles.  Lately on the weekend,  he is up twice before 7am and sometimes doesn't want to go back to sleep. He generally refuses bottles during the weekend, and can be a pain about not wanting to nurse either. He gets very distracted and nurses best when tired.  Elliott's naps have been more consistent lately, maybe because he hasn't felt well. He often will take 2 naps, each about an hour, but sometimes takes 1 nap that's 2 hours. 

Elliott is still not as into the solids lately. He prefers finger foods over solids, but hasn't wanted to eat many solids at all lately.  He still has no teeth! He somehow manages to gum things and bite mommy though. We give him food 3 times a day, yogurt in the am, fruit or oatmeal during the afternoon,  and mostly table food at night, although he does like some of the savory meals, like mac n cheese, chicken noodle, and apple chicken. He still eats 1 container at most and often not even that. Some of the finger foods we've given him lately include eggs, cheerios (a new favorite), veggies (carrots, peas, corn, string beans), cheese, and fruit (grapes, raspberries, bananas,blueberries, strawberries). He loves bread - italian bread, banana bread, soda bread - any kind. In fact, yesterday he took a pizza crust out of my hand and ate it! We have wanted to try a lot of different foods, but he's been sick so often. Lately it has been ear infections and colds, and even a ruptured eardrum!

Elliott loves toys, especially things he can push or smack down (like a push and spin) or toys that belong to his brothers. He gets into everything and his brothers are still struggling to realize they have to be careful about where they leave things. He has a renewed interest in his jumparoo, but only if someone sits near him. Elliott has become a really fast crawler. If I chase him while he is crawling, he bursts into hysterics. He also is constantly pulling himself up to standing. He likes to hold on with one hand and smack whatever he is holding with the other hand. 

Personality

Elliott is still a happy happy boy. He is happiest with mommy, and in general prefers women. He is snuggly and has started giving real hugs. He smiles and laughs all the time and loves to play. He still does the bashful hiding when he sees people, although lately when we are out he has been attracting lots of admirers! He adores his brothers and loves to be around them and play with them. He gets the giggles when he pets his puppies. 

Likes:

Mommy. Always mommy. He loves toys, his brothers, his dog, daddy, his brother's toys, ripping things, standing, crawling, hugs, and playing.

Dislikes: being alone/no one paying attention to him, getting his diaper changed

New this month:

eating more table foods, saying dada, pulling up to standing, sitting up in tub without the baby tub, crawling faster, and giving hugs (like real squeezes).

8 months....

...and somehow Belly has become a little kid!

Size

So I'm a few days late updating, but we didn't have a dr appointment this month, so I don't have a weight or height. On our home scale the other day he was just over 17 lbs. In clothing he is wearing 6-9 month stuff, although he has grown out of some of the smaller sleep and plays. 

Eat-Sleep-Play

I still nurses Elliott at 5:30am, 4:30 pm, and 7:30 or 8pm, and at school he gets a 2 oz bottle and 2-4 oz bottles (last one being formula) although he still doesn't always finish his bottle.  On the weekend,  he still wakes up for a feed around 5:30. We are mostly just breastfeeding on the weekend, as he prefers that over a bottle, but try to encourage a bottle when mom isn't home so we can be sure he eats enough. 

Elliott is not as into the solids lately with the exception of finger foods. We have started letting him try table foods like gnawing on a roll, noodles, pears, sweet potatoes, beans, and admittedly french fries. He still has no teeth, but he's pretty good at gumming things. As for the baby food, he usually eats it 3 times a day. He likes to eat yogurt in the am and prefers fruits to veggies. We just discovered that he really likes the mac n cheese baby food. He does not love any of the other dinner blends, although he is willing to eat apple chicken and even chicken noodle.  He still eats fewer solids than Logan and Riley did, as he often does not even finish 1 whole container. 

Elliott's sleep habits have been AWFUL this month.  Mommy and daddy are so tired, as they haven't slept in 2018. After getting over RSV and a cold, he started in with separation anxiety, waking up constantly wanting mommy. After two weeks of waking up every hour (or less), he slowed down to only a few times a night, and then got another cold, and isn't sleeping well from being congested. With the separation anxiety it was not uncommon for him to be up for 60-90 minutes in the middle of the night. So much fun. At school his teachers say he is easy to put down for a nap and he typically takes at least 1 hour long nap. Today it was two hours! We still struggle with weekend naps. 

Elliott loves his toys, but he loves his brothers toys even more. In fact, they were his motivation in learning to crawl across the room! His brothers are struggling to remember they can no longer leave anything on the floor that they don't want him to get. He has not been at all interested in the jumparoo lately. He'd much rather explore on the floor. He puts everything in his mouth. but actually listens a good 50% of the time when he is told no, it cant go in his mouth. I didn't know 8 month olds could understand no. Elliott doesn't use his pacifier that much during the day, but he does in the car and to go to sleep. In addition to crawling, Elliott waves, claps, and gives high fives.

Personality

Elliott is always smiling and laughing. He loves his family - the joy on his face when he sees us is so unbelievably cute! This month he struggled with being away from mommy, but his separation anxiety has already been improving. He loves his Mema and is always willing to go to her. His brothers make him laugh so hard. He definitely recognizes their names and is always looking for them (and his pup-pup who he also adores). He does this super cute thing where he smiles at people and then hides his face. He also babbles really loud and enthusiastically. Its kind of hilarious!

His teachers at daycare love him and say he is so laid back and independent.

Likes:

Mommy. Always mommy. He loves toys, his brothers, his dog, daddy, his pacifier, nursing, his brother's toys, ripping things, and playing.

Dislikes: being alone/no one paying attention to him, his crib, and baths

New this month:

waving, clapping, high fives, going from belly to sitting, crawling, eating more table foods, saying mama.

Belly on the move! 7 months!

7 months!! Time needs to slow down!

Size

So I'm a few days late updating, but that kind of works, because Elliott had to go to the doctor yesterday (possibly croup) so I have an updated weight. He weighed in at 16 lbs, 8 oz. While he is still on the small side for his age, he is a pound and 6 oz heavier than Logan at 7 months and nearly 2 and a 1/2 pounds heavier than Riley!

In clothing we are currently going through out 3-6 month stuff, and he is wearing things one last time. Some things he has already grown out of, and some fit him just fine. He has an enormous 6-9 month wardrobe, so I imagine we'll transition soon. He still wears 6-9 month sleep and plays. 

Eat-Sleep-Play

With Mommy back at work, she nurses Elliott at 5:30am, 4:30 pm, and 7:30 or 8pm. He still gets 3 4 oz bottles (usually 2bm, 1f)  while mommy is at work, somewhere around 8:30, 11:30, and 2:30, although he doesn't always finish them. On the weekend, sometimes he still wakes up at 5:30, other days he'll sleep to 7:30 or 8. Right now we are still exclusively breastfeeding on the weekend, as he will not take a bottle with mom around. Honestly, we are all surprised that he is still nursing, and as for an end, well, that will come whenever either he or I don't want to do it anymore. At this point, we have surpassed all my goals. 
Elliott still really enjoys solids, but he most loves mashing fruit in this silicone netting thing he fir for Christmas. I want wait to try finger foods, as he seems REALLY interested. He has no teeth yet, but he's pretty good at gumming things. As for the baby food, he eats it 3 times a day and loves all fruits. Veggies, not so much but he will eat the ones mixed with fruit. He still makes hilarious faces when he tries new foods and his favorite foods are the ones mixed with apples, pears, and mango. It is time to start trying new things like yogurt! I didn't realize it until I read the blog, but he actually eats fewer solids than Logan and Riley did. They used to have 1 1/2 containers of stage two at dinner. This boy wants none of that, he tops out at 1 container and his "fruit snack." He seems to like blueberries the best, although he also enjoys raspberries and strawberries. He's not so sure about bananas.

Elliott has been going to sleep between 8:30 and 9, but lately he's been waking up in the night, although he is generally easy to get back asleep (but only if we put him in his chair). Could just be due to a stuffy nose, which he's had for weeks (Kindergartners bring home ALL the germs.) Steve said he'd take at least one 1-2 hour nap, but when mom is home, Elliott will only sleep in my lap. 

Elliott is still crazy about toys. He can sit up unassisted now and that has broadened his horizons with his playing. He got so many toys for Christmas, ad while he gets overwhelmed if too many are out at once, he loves playing with all of them. He has gotten even better at jumping in the jumparoo, but he does not have the same love for it that his brothers did and gets bored after 5-10 min. He has, however, rekindled his love for his pacifier. He's not as into it as his brothers were, and it is not always in his mouth, but he wants it a lot more often, especially when we are out. He is still super grabby and it is impossible to keep socks on him for longer than 5 minutes. He started getting up on his hands and knees and rocking less than a week after he turned 6 months, but hasn't crawled yet. He can scoot backwards and somehow manages to get to where he wants. 

Personality

Elliott is still the happiest baby, always laughing and smiling, even when he is sick. He is so so in love with his brothers and dog and his face completely lights up whenever he sees them. When mommy comes home from work, he cries from the second he hears her voice to the moment he's in her arms. He very obviously reaches for her (and sometimes daddy) when anyone else is holding him. He continues to drool through multiple drool bibs a day, but his drool rash has cleared up. 

Likes:

Mommy!!!! toys, toys, toys! putting things in his mouth, eating, playing, being held, laying on his belly, being  played with, sitting up, his pacifier, daddy, sleeping with his arms by his head, watching his brothers, Penguin,  and napping on mommy.

Dislikes:

Waiting for food,  being alone/no one paying attention to him, his crib, and the car.

New this month:

Getting up on hands and knees, sitting unsupported, reaching for mom and dad (and to brothers for hug)

6 months? For real?

I can't believe Belly is 6 months old already..... but at the same time, he has grown up so much!!

Size

Elliott's 6 month appointment is on Friday. I can't wait to hear his measurements, as it seems like he has grown so much!

In clothing he still wears 3-6 month clothing, except he wears 6-9 month sleep and plays. There are a few 3-6 month outfits that are getting small on him, but most of them fit fine. Mema tried a 6-9 month onesie on him the other day and it was way too long.

Eat-Sleep-Play

Mommy went back to work on the 1st, which was a definite change in Elliott's feeding schedule. On the weekends, Elliott continues to breastfeed every 2-3 hours during the day. We tried desperately to get Elliott to take a bottle again and for the rest of November, but Elliott wanted none of it. Luckily, after 2 difficult eating days with Mema, Elliott started taking a bottle again. From her at least. He still gives Daddy and Mommy a hard time. So during the week, mommy nurses him at 5:30, he drinks 3 bottles with Mema (usually 2 breastmilk, 1 formula), and then usually wants to nurse at 4,6, and 8, although some days he only wants to breastfeed twice. Elliott. loves. solids. He opens his mouth like a little fish and gobbles it up!. He eats solids 2-3 times a day, with at least one meal being a cereal and fruit mix. He makes hilarious faces when he tries new foods and has been known to spit out and refuse new vegetables the first few times he tries them. His favorite foods are still apples, pears, and prunes, although he really seems to enjoy the mixed ones, like apple-peach-squash. He has had peanut butter twice, and luckily there seems to be no allergy there (can you imagine? his brothers are like 70% peanut butter). He seemed to like it much better mixed with applesauce than he did with oatmeal.

. 

Elliott has calmed down and has been going to sleep between 8:30 and 9 for the last few days, but for a while gave us a run for our money, screaming crying at night and not falling asleep until 9:30 or 10. He has latched on to this 5 or 5:30 am feeding with mommy going back to work (which is super fun on the weekend). Mema has reported that he has begun taking 1 and even 2 hour naps nearly every day. We have yet to see that on the weekend, although he did do that sometimes while mommy was still home with him. \

Elliott loves toys. Any toy. Every toy. He especially loves ones that make noises/ have lights, and ones he can easily put in his mouth.  He plays for a lot longer in the gym and has figured out jumping in the jumparoo (although he doesn't usually enjoy the jumparoo for longer than 5 minutes). He is not into the swing anymore. He has been taking a pacifier more often, but usually doesn't have it. He likes to chew on his hand, and anything or everything he can get his little hands on. (still loves the banana infant tooth brush). He is soooooo grabby. He has literally grabbed fistfuls of mommy's dinner. He has great accuracy even when the target is behind him and he can't see it. 

Personality

Elliott is still the happiest baby ever, always smiling and laughing, especially for his family, but also for everyone else. Everyone asks if he is ever not smiling and comments that he is just so happy, and he truly is!! He continues to drools more than Penguin looking at a container of peanut butter  and has to wear a drool bib because he's still got a bad case of drool rash. It just wont seem to go away. Elliott is still crazy about Mommy and has begun reaching for her. He loves his brothers and dog, and daddy and Mema too. When he cries, it still sounds like he is calling momma.

Likes:

Mommy!!!! putting things in his mouth, eating, playing, toys in general, being held, laying on his side, being talked/sung to and played with, sitting up (supported), sleeping with his arms by his head, watching his brothers, tv (just like Logan) and napping on mommy.

Dislikes:

Waiting for food, his chair, being alone/no one paying attention to him, going to bed, and the car.

New this month:

Rolling back to belly, reaching for Penguin, level of distractedness while nursing, raspberries, sticking his tongue out, grabbing everything in sight (and his accuracy in doing so).