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!

3 months old

Elliott is 3 months old already! Time is really flying by, and I'm in my second week of just Elliott/mommy time. He is such a cuddly baby and I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can.

Size

According to our scale at home, Elliott is 13lbs 6oz. Definitely quite a bit bigger than his brothers.  The 0-3 Carters onesies still fit well, but he grew out of everything else that's 0-3 about 2 weeks ago. He has long limbs and his pants looked like capris and shirt like 3/4 sleeves. plus some of the pants were too tight around the belly. 

Eat-Sleep-Play

I'm over the moon to say that Elliott has not gotten any formula in the past month. He is breastfed all day, usually about every 3 hours, and we give him a 4 oz bottle of breast milk between 8 and 9. He then falls asleep between his bottle and 10 and sleeps until sometime between 5:30 and 7am. He has been doing this for about 3 weeks now and its pretty awesome. He is slowly starting to fall into a nap schedule during the day. On the weekdays, sometimes he doesn't go back to bed after eating (I wake him up to eat at 6), and sometimes he'll sleep until I have to take Riley and Logan to the bus stop. He usually takes a nap around 9 or 9:30. Then he catnaps the rest of the day.

He loves his toy turtle and his swing. He goes crazy grabbing things and kicking chimes in his activity gym, but he never seems to want to stay in it for more than about 5 minutes. What he really loves, more than anything, is playing with mommy. Singing songs, patty cake, gingerbread man, he loves it all. He's so happy and smiles and laughs at mommy. He likes to watch everything, especially his brothers.  Like his brothers at 3 months, he will hold anything we hand him at this point and grabs hair, jewelry, shirts, and even skin.

Personality

Elliott is a happy, smiley kid. Its easier to get a smiling photo of him than his 5 year old brothers. He coos when he's happy and makes the cutest little noises. He loves, loves, loves attention and rarely cries. While he is less fussy than Riley and Logan at his age, he is a bit more demanding, as he wants to be held a lot more. He will fall asleep in his car seat or swing, but to go to bed at night wants to fall asleep in mommy's arms. He is such a mommy's boy. He will stop crying from just hearing mommy's voice. 

Likes:

Mommy!!!! Sucking on his hand, eating, his pacifier, his turtle, the swing, the car (except when he doesn't), being held, laying on his side, having his diaper changed, being talked/sung to and played with, sleeping with his arms spread out, watching his brothers, and napping on mommy.

Dislikes:

Waiting for food, his chair, being alone/no one paying attention to him, and tummy time.

New this month:

Laughing, holding/playing with toys, grabbing objects, and sleeping through the night.

Penguin LOVES Elliott. Whenever he is laying on the floor, she insists on laying next to him. And I mean right next to him. Like  touching. She likes to lick and sniff him and doesn't mind at all if mommy leans Elliott against her while she is laying down.

 Elliot has been all over the place this month. The funniest was his first time in Mema and Pepa's pool. Mommy was holding him and he must have been pretty relaxed, because within 5 minutes, he was asleep!!

She tries to cuddle him so close one day she ended up half on top of him.

He took his own pants off...just like Riley used to.

Is there any sound better than a baby giggling?