28 Weeks!!

How Old? 28 weeks (6 Months, 2 Weeks, 1 day)
Weight? 14lbs 10oz!! We are finally gaining some weight!
Clothing? 3-6 months and some 6 months! Size 2 diapers! His Easter outfit is a 9 months but is a little big.
Sleep? He slept all night last night!
Best moment this week? Getting Daniel back on Zantac and him eating and sleeping better!

Toys? He likes this stacking toy and a new little xylophone my BF Jennifer gave him. He loves bright colors. He also loves to "ride the horsey" and the "spaceship" with Poppy.
Eating? He eats about 24 ounces of formula and 2-3 jars of baby food a day now! We went to the doctor last week and found out he needed to be put back on Zantac. He is eating so much better now and is a lot happier. Poor little guy was waking up in pain from the reflux.
New discoveries? He is trying to figure out how to get to his toys that are out of reach while he is sitting up. He can do this when laying down by rolling and stretching.
What I am looking forward to? Easter and seeing what the Easter Bunny brings!
Milestones? Soon your baby may let you know that he's ready to try eating finger foods by grabbing the spoon you're feeding him with or snatching food off your plate. Scatter four or five pieces of finger food onto your baby's highchair tray or an unbreakable plate. (To reduce the risk of choking, have your baby eat while sitting upright in a highchair rather than reclined in a car seat or stroller.) Your baby may have a good appetite but not many teeth, so start with foods that he can gum or that will dissolve easily in his mouth. As he grows you'll be able to give him bite-size pieces of whatever you're eating. Remember that your baby's also learning about texture, color, and smell, so try to offer a variety of foods. Some finger food favorites: O-shaped toasted oat cereal; small chunks of banana or other very ripe, peeled fruit like mango, plum, pear, peach, cantaloupe, or seedless watermelon; small cubes of tofu; well-cooked pasta spirals, cut into pieces; thin cheese strips or very small chunks of cheese; cut-up seedless grapes or cherries (pits removed); blueberries; and small soft pieces of cooked vegetables, like carrots, peas, zucchini, potato, or sweet potato.

Sitting in the Tub!

So for the first time, Daniel got to play sitting up in the tub!

He had so much fun!

Mommy was nervous he was going to fall!

He loved being able to grab his toys as they floated by.  He is growing so fast and learning to do new things everyday.

27 Weeks!

How Old? 27 weeks (6 Months, 1 Week, 1 day)
Weight? 14lbs 3oz as of 3/19/10
Clothing? 3-6 months and size 2 diapers!
Sleep? Slept through the night a few times but at least until 4am.
Best moment this week? Watching him learn to sit up so quickly! I know people say it happens over night but seriously!
Toys? Jumperoo, anything he can play with while sitting up, his pacifier and mommy's hands!
Eating? He is eating formula really well but has been really picky with baby food. He will only eat Sweet Potato Chicken Dinner, Pears and Bananas. Not sure what is going on with him.
New discoveries? Can sit up pretty well now. He has really learned how to use his hands to catch himself and balance.
What I am looking forward to? Easter! I can't wait to dress him up for church and see him open his Easter basket the Easter Bunny brings!
Milestones? Your baby will love turn-taking games, especially ones that involve sounds and language. Let your baby be the leader sometimes, and mimic her vocalizations. When it's your turn to lead, a good way to teach — and amuse — your baby is to make animal noises ("quack-quack," "bow-wow").One upside of these kinds of games is that they can be played anywhere. Your baby will delight in the sounds of water splashing in the bathtub or blocks hitting the floor. Show your baby how to make these fun (if sometimes annoying) noises and then let her have a turn.

First St. Patrick's Day!

Wordless Wednesday

26 Weeks

How Old? 26 weeks (6 Months, 1 day)
Weight? 13lbs 13oz as of 3/13/10
Clothing? 3-6 months and size 2 diapers!
Sleep? Slept through the night last night! 8 - 6:30
Best moment this week? Watching Daniel learn new things. He can turn the pages in a book and seems to really be looking when you read to him. It seems like he is starting to understand us a little.
Toys? hands, necklaces, any thing he can grab. He loves paper and will play with it for a while without putting it in his mouth. He has also started to learn how to bounce in his Jumperoo! He is really grabbing onto things more and not letting go! Watch out if you wear glasses or have a nose or mouth!
Eating? We introduced formula. He did not like it so I mixed it with BM. He will eat it with a 1:5 formula/ breast milk mix. I am only pumping about 10 ounces a day but I still have some in the freezer. He also started the 2nd Foods! He is now eating 10-12 ounces of baby food a day and will be increasing to a steady 12 ounces soon. We are working on stretching his tummy a little. 
New discoveries? He sat by himself for about 30 seconds today before falling! I am trying to just let him fall (with pillows of course) but my reflex is to catch him. I know, he needs to learn to catch himself.
What I am looking forward to? The weather to warm up so Daniel can experience the pool!
Milestones? Your baby's stronger neck and arm muscles allow him to practice rolling over toward one side, a milestone that will probably awe and amuse you. Your baby might adopt rolling as his primary mode of ground transportation for a while, or he may skip it altogether and move on to sitting, lunging, and crawling. As long as your baby continues to gain new skills and shows interest in getting around and exploring his environment, don't worry. Rolling over can be fun for your baby, but it can also be nerve-racking for you. Keep a hand on your baby during diaper changes, and never leave him unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface.

Your baby is also learning that his behaviors, both the ones you like and the ones you don't, engage you, so starting now (and for years to come) he'll do just about anything to get your attention. Right now almost everything he does is endearing, but as he gets older, he's more likely to get into mischief to provoke a reaction from you. Just don't forget to give him positive feedback when he's being good. It's a great way to start teaching right from wrong.

6 Month Appointment

We had Daniel's 6 month appointment today. He is hitting all his milestones and is doing great! I can't believe he is 6 months old already! He weighed 13lbs 13oz and is 24.5 inches long. The doctor said he is so active that he is burning more calories now so we need to try to get him to take in as many calories as possible. We are going to start baby food 3x a day instead of 2x and on Monday we are going to introduce formula. I was the same way when I was a baby; only weighing 16lbs at 1 year. The Doc said it is probably genetics as to why he is so small and it is nothing to worry about.

On another note I have made it to my goal of 6 months with no formula.YAY me! Why do I feel so sad about introducing formula? I am going back and forth and looking for reassurance from Brian, the doctor and my mom that it is okay. Whoever says that being a Exclusive Pumper is not like Breastfeeding has never been in my shoes. I do double the work to get the milk and feed him and also have to deal with bottles. I am proud to say I have Breastfeed him for 6 months! Anyone who dares to question that...go for it!

1-6 Month Milestone Chart

I found this on Baby Center...it is probably the best one I have been able to find online!

Child's Age	Mastered Skills  (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills  (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills  (a few kids can do)
1 month	• Lifts head when lying on tummy • Responds to sound • Stares at faces	• Follows objects briefly with eyes • Vocalizes: oohs and aahs • Can see black-and-white patterns	• Smiles, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle
2 months	• Vocalizes: gurgles and coos • Follows objects across field of vision • Notices his hands • Holds head up for short periods	• Smiles, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle • Makes smoother movements	• Holds head steady • Can bear weight on legs • Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini-pushup)
3 months	• Recognizes your face and scent • Holds head steady • Visually tracks moving objects	• Squeals, gurgles, coos • Blows bubbles • Recognizes your voice • Does mini-pushup	• Rolls over, from tummy to back • Turns toward loud sounds • Can bring hands together, bats at toys
4 months	• Smiles, laughs • Can bear weight on legs • Coos when you talk to him	• Can grasp a toy • Rolls over, from tummy to back	• Imitates sounds: "baba," "dada" • Cuts first tooth • May be ready for solid foods
5 months	• Distinguishes between bold colors • Plays with his hands and feet	• Recognizes own name • Turns toward new sounds • Rolls over in both directions	• Sits momentarily without support • Mouths objects • Separation anxiety may begin
6 months	• Turns toward sounds and voices • Imitates sounds • Rolls over in both directions	• Is ready for solid foods • Sits without support • Mouths objects • Passes objects from hand to hand	• Lunges forward or starts crawling • Jabbers or combines syllables • Drags objects toward himself

25 Weeks

How Old? 25 weeks (5 months, 3 weeks 1 day)
Weight? 13lbs 9oz as of yesterday. He is still not feeling well and not gaining weight. He has thrush again and the doc seems to think that is what is causing his weight loss and cough/congestion.
Clothing? Mostly 3-6 months but still some 3 months. 
Sleep? He is still not sleeping well because he does not feel very well.
Best moment this week? Shopping for a house! I can't wait to get a back yard for Daniel! 
Toys? He loves books! He likes touching and flipping the pages.
Eating? He has not been eating baby food that well since he has not been feeling good and seems to prefer the bottle.
New discoveries? He is almost sitting by himself. We work on it daily and he will still fall to the side when he tries to get something. We are REALLY close though. We also went to Sope Creek yesterday to take Andrew and Kayla's pictures. Daniel experienced hiking and seeing the river for the first time.
What I am looking forward to? Getting a house! Daniel's 6 month appt on Saturday and hopefully finding out he has gained some weight back!
Milestones? Your baby might be easily picking up small items or finger food, like Cheerios to feed himself. Make sure you know what is within your baby's reach and watch him carefully. Don't let him pick up anything that shouldn't go in his mouth.
Your baby now sees and hears the world almost as well as you do. His communication skills are expanding rapidly, too, as evidenced by his squeals, bubbling sounds, and operatic octave changes. His sounds can demonstrate his attitude or response to objects — such as happiness, eagerness, or even satisfaction with a problem well solved. At this age, about half of babies babble, repeating one syllable — such as ba, ma, ga, or other consonant-vowel combinations — over and over. A few will even add another syllable or two, making their sounds more complex. You can encourage your baby by babbling right back at his and by making a game of it ("The sheep says, 'baaa,'" or "The goat says, 'maaa'"). Or, when you hear a syllable you can't identify, just respond enthusiastically with something like, "Yes, that is a car! See how shiny the red paint is?" Your baby will appreciate your keeping the conversation going.

Wordless Wednesday!

24 Weeks

How Old? 24 weeks (5 months, 2 weeks 1 day)
Weight? 13lbs 9oz as of  Thursday of last week. Hopefully he is at least 14lbs now.
Clothing? We are in 3-6 months in everything but Carter's brand clothes they are 3 months but run larger.
Sleep? We are getting back to normal. Up at 1:30 to eat and then up between 6 and 7. I can't wait until daylight savings! Hopefully we can get up between 7 and 8!
Best moment this week? Daniel getting over his cold, eating normally and learning that he did gain some weight back.
Sounds? All sorts of sounds! I have a feeling he is going to be a chatter box once he learns how to talk! He sounds like he says "yeah" and "hey"
Toys? Same old toys, Jumperoo, hands, bouncy seat and pretty much anything that he can put in his mouth.

Eating? He is eating about 24-28oz of breast milk/day and about 7.5oz of baby food. (half in the morning and half at night.
New discoveries? Kissing me on the cheek, making certain noises with his mouth,
What I am looking forward to? looking for houses this weekend! I can't wait to get a backyard for Daniel!
Milestones?You have probably noticed a change in your babies' bowel movements. Most mom's ask in a panic "Why is my baby's poop this color?". Where before it was predominantly loose and runny, not to mention mustard colored if you are breastfeeding, it is now becoming a bit more solid, darker and smaller.

This is a normal process as the diet of your baby changes. If he seems to be getting a little constipated now, check with your doctor to see if there are any over the counter medications you can give him for gas, that will help him have an easier time going to the bathroom.

New developments are afoot. By now , many babies are able to support their own weight by standing upright on their legs -- with your help for balance, of course.Most babies have also mastered the tummy-to-back roll with little issue a few weeks back. As we discussed earlier, rolling from the back onto the tummy is a much harder task to do than the other way around. Some might not be as quick at perfecting this activity for a wide number of reasons. It could be as simple as lack of motivation. As beneficial as tummy time is, lots of babies do not enjoy the physical strain of playing on their belly. A fun way to encourage tummy time is to lay your infant on her back with one of her favorite toys just above her shoulder. This may offer just the right amount of incentive to get her to reach for it, flipping over in the process.

Beautiful Blog Award!

My friend Kasi gave me this Blog Award! Thank you so much Kasi. I love reading your blog and learning about Hannah! I met Kasi back in the day when we played softball for Milford. We had to have been 10, maybe even younger than that. Come to think about it I think I have a team picture I can scan :-) Anyways, thank you again Kasi!

As a recipient of this award, it's a requirement that the "Beautiful Blog" award winner do the following:

• Add a link and a note of thanks to the person giving the award
• Pass the award on to 15 bloggers whose blogs you have recently discovered that you love
• Share seven things about yourself

Ok, so here's the hard part...7 things about myself...

(1) I am a mom to the cutest and sweetest little man in the world! I love my son more than I ever knew I could.
(2) I love my husband. I waited a long time to find the right guy and I finally have him. I love him as my soul mate but also as a father. It is amazing to see how much he loves his son.
(3) I am very grateful for my family. No matter what I have put them through they have always been there and shown me love.
(4) I love to read. I have read most of James Patterson's books and he is by far my favorite author. I think the total count is 58. My favorite is "The Lake House". I also loved the "Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer". I wish there were more!
(5) I love superhero movies! Superman Returns is my favorite of course but I also love The Dark Knight, X-Men, Iron Man and a few more.

(6) I am not a fan of the cold! I like the beach and the pool and am really tired of this snow!
(7) I love Dunkin Donuts coffee! I don't care what any of you Starbucks people say, it is the best!

And now the 15 people I am going to pass this along to...

1. 3 McG's
2. Baby Ruppert
3. Hicks' Highlights
4. just another scribbler of d...
5. Logan Patrick Sevin
6. love lusters at the cross
7. Mendoza Moments
8. Second Half Adventures  
9. The Marks Family
10. The Sexton's

Well I could only come up with 10 : (