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).
