How is our 6th month old already turning 7 months?!? Even B yesterday could barely remember how old he is when I reminded him that it is Ethan's month birthday today. He said matter-of-factly, "His 8th month birthday". And, I just thought to myself, "Wow, time is slipping by". Maybe when we look at Ethan and see just how big he is, the size of a year old, and his out-going personality, we forget that he is still just a wee little baby.
All the updates, no pics, you ever wanted on Ethan:
Personality: We think he has the most amazing, outgoing personality! He is full of giggles, laughs, and coos, and will 'flirt' with just about anyone (though he is starting to show signs of stranger anxiety). He is so happy all of the time, and it only makes me smile- it is very contagious. We think the more parents smile, laugh, and interact with their children the more outgoing, happy, and well-tempered they'll be.
*He loves standing! Sometimes he doesn't want to sit and will either lock his legs or arch his back. He prefers playing with his toys standing up: either in his entertainer (which is already getting too small for him), against the padded leather ottoman (which is drool stain-resistant), or against his toy shelf. I've just started having issue with trying to get him to sit in his highchair or stroller- he's able to lunge forward so safety precautions are now in order. Just as of yesterday he caught me off guard when he was able to scoot himself off the stroller seat and 'stand' on the foot rest. Sheesh. On went the safety bar and harness. He can stand steady with just one arm supporting him and turn in different directions to see what's going on. He is still working on regaining balance if he starts to fall, so I'm still within fall-control reach if need be, but growing more comfortable being a few feet away from him for a few seconds. And, I'm working on getting him to pull up on his own- still a far way off.
*He loves walking! Of course with help. He initiates his own steps and will eagerly walk to his toys, the kitty, or Daddy. It's a good thing- those little pudgy legs need some exercise. I don't think he's going to crawl for the sheer reason that he just doesn't enjoy tummy-time (but he is good at it), so I'm really trying to encourage his walking development. He has great leg, back, and neck support, but he's going to need more control over his hips to coordinate keeping his body rigid to walk on his own. Don't physical therapists get paid plenty? I'm trying to teach him to walk while holding onto something. He steps but doesn't move.
*He just started bending over from a standing position to pick up toys. I usually hold him around the hips, and one day he just bent over, grabbed his toy, and then stood back up! I couldn't believe he had the back strength to do this! I think it is very cute.
*Eats: bananas, oatmeal, rice cereal, pears, applesauce, mango, broccoli, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, potatoes, cranberry sauce, carrots (although we were told to refrain for a while because of nitrates (?)), peas, squash, avocado, peaches. This month we are going to start him on dairy- yogurt and cheeses, along with finger-food. And next month- meats! He eats a ton, especially of solid food (no surprise there). Think ice cube: 2fruits and 2cereal at breakfast, 3veggies and 2fruits at lunch, just started 2fruits in afternoon, and 3veggies at dinner. Plus, formula. Yum! He holds his own bottle now in his highchair (but he's been able to 'hold' it since he was a month old) and he uses a sippy-cup with water only. He now will either grab his sippy cup by himself, or if he can't reach it, gesture at it that he wants it. Finally, I can understand if he is thirsty ;) Sometimes I let him feed himself.
*Sleeps: much better. Sleep training seemingly paid off, and in more ways than one. He sleeps essentially through the night from about 7:00-7:00 in the morning. He will still wake up and have to cry himself to sleep sometimes, but for the most part, he's been sleeping straight through. There are times when it is more of a pain cry, and I've gone straight to his room to find out that he's either had tummy issues or has managed to lodge himself either perpendicular or in the corner of his crib. So in addition to sleeping through the night, he's all of a sudden needed less or no rocking to sleep. This is bittersweet. I loved it the first night, and then I realized that I'll no longer get to cuddle and comfort him to sleep in the same way ever again. I had called B at work and told him that I was no longer 'needed'. :) He's completely foregone of the swaddle about a 1.5months ago, but that's only because we realized he likes to sprawl his legs out in the bed (Sounds a lot like, hmm, Daddy). He loves to have tons of blankets on him (please, doctor, don't read this): his swaddle blanket, his crochet blanket, plus his comforter (Sounds a lot like, hmm, Mommy). And, he cuddles so sweetly with Teddy, who he always has his arms wrapped around.
Poops: (just kidding)
*Naps, eh, they are all across the board. Usually goes down between 9-10 in the morning and naps for 1-2hours. Afternoon nap is anywhere between 1-3 and sleeps for 1-2hours. I love it when he wakes up. He makes peeps over the monitor and I eventually get to his nursery and he's just hanging out, whipping Teddy around in the air, and then he gives you this gigantic smile and giggles. So cute.
*Teeth. He's got his two front teeth popping through, and I think a couple more on their way. Fun stuff. His favorite teether/toy is his Munchkin spoon.
*His favorite toys: teether spoon, anything that crinkles, Teddy, his train and stacker and blocks. We have tons of toys, enough to get him through the first two years, and he plays with all of them. He just started to like rolling the ball back and forth between him and Mommy- he gets it but his roll is hysterical. Not quite ready for baseball. Anything he can shake, bang, fling, teeth, take apart, bend, push, or make fall down he loves. As for plastic toys, he doesn't quite care for all the sounds they make. And I agree.
*Games we love to play: peek-a-boo, "this is how -- rides the horse", "wheels on the bus", animal sounds, airplane, knocking over blocks, hide-and-see with his favorite toys, 'where's mommy', patty-cake, imitating what Mommy does.
*Things he is learning: alphabet, numbers, sorting, colors (sometimes I ask him where -- color is and he reaches for it. Not sure if he really means to grab the color though), object permanence, animal sounds and names, waving hi/bye, 'mommy /daddy/bottle/water/hi/Gershwin', putting in and taking things from a container, the meaning of 'no' (I know they only comprehend simple commands, but I also think it is important to follow it up with a short reason, ex. it is too hot, daddy's toy').
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Talking: He babbles a ton and will hold 'conversations'. He hasn't sounded any consonants yet, but he'll get there soon enough. And, he seems to recognize/associate particular words with objects. If I happen to not be looking at him he'll squeal to get my attention.
*Good Reads: we still love to read books (5-10 a day). It is a hit-or-miss with timing these days. He even likes to page through books, and seems to remember some of them. The library is currently off limits because of the nasty flu.
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Bathtime: loves it. He is a water baby, and we let him sit in his tub as long as he wants. He's practically outgrowing his baby tub already, so I'm starting to debate putting him in the big tub, but I'm a bit concerned for his safety.
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Size: We have no idea of his current height or weight. He has a doctor's appointment in a couple of days so we'll get an update then. His torso is still very long in relation to his arms and legs,but his ligaments are starting to sprout. All we know is that the little fellow has 'gigantism' ;) He always measured a week or two early, wasn't born a 5lb baby, and is already in 12mth clothing as a 6month old. Essentially, if you know how big his parents are, it is a shock how big he is- and he doesn't seem to be slowing down.
My thoughts/rant on toys:I just realized that I don't like toys that make sounds because I think they aren't linguistically correct and might have adverse effects on language development. For example, his entertainer sings the ABC's but it says "J,J" instead of "J,K". And, quite simply the it's hard to decipher the pronunciation of some of the words on the recordings. I prefer to let Ethan play with them with the sound off and instead explain the toys to him, whether the ABC's, numbers, shapes, sounds or colors. I think toys that 'talk' are completely inadequate to meeting the linguistic developmental needs of children, and have replaced parents and caregivers
who should be interacting and playing/teaching their kids instead of some robotic noise-maker; standing by the fact that the crucial foundations of language are learned during utero and within the first 2years of life! Not to mention, it is absolutely ridiculous the amount of batteries they go through! And, I can't stand the amount of plastic, and then to be thrown into the garbage because of somekind of recall or broken pieces. For this reason we haven't bought any, though we have been given or lent more than plenty. On the other hand, I think basic wood toys are where it is all at and they last forever! I absolutely prefer them- especially blocks, stackers, sorters, puzzles, pull toys. Ethan is getting 1 or 2 toys from Santa, and they'll definitely be wooden.
Did you really read all of this??
Ethan found himself a new pony, and a very lively one. Auntie Ellen!!!!
Auntie Ellen attempting to make Ethan giggle by burying him in the snow.
This is from a day or two before- the notorious stocking antlers.
Auntie Ellen playing with Ethan one last time before she headed home to all the warm sunny beaches.
Boy or Girl? Notice we already had nautical stuff up on the wall- wishful thinking ;)
Yes, here I am, growing bigger by the minute. I don't think that I could see my feet over my stomach at this point. 20.5 weeks on December 15
December 16
And, how could we ever forget, the uninvited sleep-over guest: Gershwin.
We built our first snowman in the front yard. 
Daddy & Baby Blue
Mommy & Baby Blue
Our little blue snowman.
Ethan went to his first friend's first birthday party yesterday.
The birthday boy, Liam, playing slipper footsie with Ethan.
Eli and Ethan were very entertained with the beach ball. 
Even Daddy got to come to the party for a little bit before heading off to work!
This morning the ground and streets were covered in snow, and he was pretty fascinated.
