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).

Oops! 5 month update

Oops! I’m 8 days late in posting Elliott’s 5 mo old blog. Better late than never!

Size

Elliott did not have a 5 month appointment, but yesterday he went to the dr because he is sick with his first virus. His weight is very similar to his weight at the check at the beginning of the month. I had hoped he would have picked up some more weight, but no such luck. I don’t get it, as it feels like he is always eating!

In clothing he still wears 3-6 month clothing, although he has grown out of a bunch of the 3-6 month sleep and plays. There are some 3-6 month ones he still fits in, but they look like 3/4 sleeves. I think that completely opposite of his brothers (and me) he has a shorter torso and longer limbs. 

Eat-Sleep-Play

Elliott continues to breastfeed every 2-3 hours during the day. Remember that 4-5 oz bottle of breast milk he had been getting every night? Well starting the evening of his weight check, he started refusing it. Yep, right before I go back to work. He started only drinking 2 or even 1 oz of it and then started refusing completely. We still try to give it to him 2 oz every night but he screams. Now that also means that getting him to bed has been a challenge each night. Even with nursing he no longer falls asleep eating and is carried off to bed. He Is put to bed awake but drowsy by Steve most nights, as we found if I do it, Elliott will fight sleep for 45 min, while if Steve puts him to bed, he only fights for 10-15. I hope we figure this bottle thing out soon.... 
Elliott is usually out by 9 and mostly still sleeps until 6am, although he has woken up in the middle of the night to eat once or twice a week lately. We still don't have a nap schedule during the day, but he is starting to take longer naps, like an hour or 90 minutes intead of all the 20 min cat naps. Some of the naps are mostly taken in his chair, although they always start out on Mom, the car seat, or on rare occasion, the swing. 

He still loves his toy firefly and turtle the most these days, although he now likes to play with a much wider variety of toys. He very rarely wants a pacifier, but likes to chew on a banana infant tooth brush. He's still not as into the swing as he used to be and its still hit or miss with the activity gym, although for the time he is on it, he does play with the toys s lit more than he used to. He also discovered his feet and grabs at them, but has not tried to get them in his mouth yet. Elliott still would rather be held by mommy than anything else. If someone else is holding him he is fine,but he is usually looking for or staring at mommy. The only exception is that he also really loves watching his brothers. He gets so excited when we pick them up at the bus stop after school. Elliott is still super grabby and babbles all the time. When he cries it sounds like he is calling Mom.

Personality

Elliott is still the happiest baby ever, always smiling and laughing, especially for his family, but also for everyone else. Everyone is always commenting how alert and aware he is. He still drools like crazy  and has to wear a drool bib (that must get changed often) because he drools so much he gets drool rash from his neck and chest always being wet.
He seems to like eating “solids” but prefers nursing. He’ll only eat rice or oatmeal if there is fruit mixed in. He loves apples and pears the most, likes peaches and squash, jury is still out on peas, and dislikes bananas.

Likes:

Mommy!!!! Sucking on his hand, 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:

Noticing his feet, eating solids, refusing the bottle, increased playing, ability to put pacifier in his own mouth.

Weight check

11/2/17

So today was our weight check since the doctor was concerned about Elliott's growth pattern. I'm happy to say that the doctor was not concerned today! Elliott was 25 inches long (up from 24), with a head size of 16 in (up from 15.4) and weighed in at 14 lbs 12.2 oz (up from 13 lbs 15 oz). His weighed stayed pretty close to the curve it was on - he went from 18th to 20th percentile. The doctor was pleased with his length, which went back up to 20th percentile after being below 10th. The biggest relief was that Elliott's head size was back on the percentile chart. He went from being at the 19th percentile at 2 months to below the chart at 4, to the 9th percentile at almost 5 months. But like they said, his flat spot likely affected that measurement. The doctor was very pleased with him developmentally, as he rolled for her (belly to back), was nonstop chattering, and proved to be very strong. When she pulled his arms he went from laying down to standing, which is apparently uncommon at his age. It reminded me very much of his brothers - Dr. Dimmick always commented on their strength. Dr. Shah also couldn't believe how happy he is!

The doctor we saw 3 weeks ago (our normal doc is on maternity leave) had recommended we start solids to support his weight gain. We started with rice cereal on 10/19. It took a few spoonfuls, but he got the hang of that whole eating thing. Next he tried banana (10/26), which he surprisingly did not like. He did, however, love apple, oatmeal, and peach. He gobbled all three up. Logan and Riley LOVE watching him try new foods!

4 months already?

Elliott is already 4 months old, which is just ridiculous. Mommy's time home with him is going faster than summertime! In August! (Teachers, you know what I'm saying)

Size

Yesterday was Elliott's 4 month appointment. He was 13 lbs 15 oz, 24 in long, and his head is 15.4 in. The doctor (our usual doctor is on maternity leave) is concerned, as he is not growing as she would expect. At his 2 month appointment he was close to the 50th percentile and now he's at the 18th. being that Elliott has chubby little cheeks and thunder thighs, I could not understand it as she was telling me he hadn't gained enough weight. At first I was upset about it, but then I looked at his brother's weight gain. From birth to 1 month, Riley gained about 3 lbs, Logan 2 lbs 5 oz, and Elliott 2 lbs 4 oz. From 1 mo to 2, Riley gained 2 lbs, Logan gained 2 lbs, and Elliott gained 2 lbs 3 oz. From 2 months to 3, according to our home scales, Riley gained 1 lb 3 oz, Logan 1 lb 11 oz, and Elliott 1 lb 3 oz. Then from 3-4 months, Riley gained 13 oz, Logan 13 oz, and Elliott 9 oz. At the time of weighing, Elliott was just about due for a feed. I'm thinking maybe its genetic and he's just falling into his growth pattern. I guess we shall see - he has a weight check in 3 weeks. As long as he stays on the current growth pattern and doesn't drop down we should be good. I am a little worried that his head is smaller than projected, but am hoping that number is off due to his flat spot. His is right in the back of his head, as he sleeps facing the ceiling with his hands up by his head.

In clothing he still fits in 0-3 onesies although the few we still have are getting snug. He wears 3-6 month everything, but has started growing out of the smaller sleep and plays. i think that's really just because sizing is so incredibly inconsistent, especially across brands. Koala baby stuff is cute but super tiny! 

Eat-Sleep-Play

Elliott continues to breastfeed every 2-3 hours during the day, and get a 4-5 oz bottle of breast milk around 8:15. He then falls asleep soon thereafter. He very much recognizes the pattern and starts crying for his bottle immediately after daddy dresses Elliott in his pjs. He then sleeps until 6am. Somedays he wakes up on his own (5:50 this am) but most days we wake him so that mommy can feed him and pump before getting his brothers ready for school. On the weekend, he typically wakes up between 6 and 7. He has had 3 days this month where he woke up in the middle of the night to eat, but he is generally a fantastic sleeper. We still don't have a nap schedule during the day. He typically takes a nap at 9, and I've recently started trying to put him in his bed for that nap. Its not going well. I know I shouldn't let him sleep in my arms so much, but I cant help but enjoy it while I can. Some days he barely naps, but they are always followed by a "sleepy day".

He loves his toy firefly the most these days, although he still likes the turtle and likes Rusty Robot. He's not as into the swing as he used to be and is hit or miss with the activity gym. He likes it, but only for short bursts of time, kind of like tummy time. What Elliott loves most is being held. By mommy. He is such a mommy's boy and already will go from full out hysterical crying to smiling just from being handed to mommy. He really loves watching his brothers and tends to nap more easily when they are around. He finally noticed Penguin, which is pretty cute. Elliott loves to play. Peek-a-boo, singing songs, being tickled, he loves the attention. He babbles way more than before and at times sounds like he's telling full stories. He has also reached new levels of grabby-ness. Mommy has given up on necklaces, as Elliott is constantly grabbing and pulling her hair, shirt, face, and skin in general (and he has razor sharp claws no matter how often we cut his fingernails!)

Personality

Elliott is the happiest baby ever. He is always smiling and laughing for his family and makes strangers so happy when he smiles for them. Mommy gets stopped every time she does out with him. He still rarely cries, and seems to like getting his picture taken. He is not fussy, but is happiest when held. He prefers his hand to his pacifier and drools like crazy!!! Like soaks his shirt! He also seems to get a bit bored if we stay home all day and seems to enjoy getting out of the house. He is a curious boy!

Likes:

Mommy!!!! Sucking on his hand, eating, his pacifier, Freddie the Firefly, being held, laying on his side, having his diaper changed, being talked/sung to and played with, sleeping with his arms by his head, watching his brothers, and napping on mommy.

Dislikes:

Waiting for food, his chair, being alone/no one paying attention to him, and the car. This is new, but he now cries a lot of the time he is in the car.

New this month:

Noticing Penguin, massive amounts of drooling, increased amount of babbling, making eye contact, and rolling from belly to back.

Other fun pics!