Teeth...Solids...Sleep Training

He cut his first tooth on Monday (lower front right). His second bottom tooth is just about popped through as well, perhaps tomorrow we will see it. He sits up pretty well independently, especially if he has a toy in front of him to hold or bang. But, he usually ends up toppling over eventually. That big head of his often does not make a soft landing. He's pretty resilient though. He also recently started saying "mum ma" and smiling at me. If I say "mama" back to him he grins even bigger. I love watching him grow and develop.

Henry is super grabby now. After dinner recently I was clearing the plates from the table and turned around to see a mountain of napkins piled all around Henry and a fist full headed straight for his mouth. That is the inevitable location for all things that Henry can grab, his mouth. He apparently bent way over in his Bumbo (which we usually sit on the table while we eat dinner) and grabbed all the napkins from the napkin holder and threw them over his head. He was so proud of himself. He also really enjoys when Mama wears her hair in pigtails because then he can hold onto them like reigns.

Favorite foods of the week: spinach/pear puree and nectarine/cucumber puree. I really haven't found a food that he totally rejects. Some he likes better than others, but nothing that he completely rejects. As you can see from the picture above, he even likes onions! We tried oatmeal with some raspberries this morning. I think he liked the flavor but wasn't too sure about the texture of the oatmeal. It is always amusing to see the expression on his face when he tries a new food.

Henry wants to crawl so badly. He can get into the position to crawl now, but then flops on his belly when he tries to put all the pieces together. The funniest is when he gets into a bear crawl stance, up on his toes with straight legs. He is a champion roller though. One way or another he will get from point A to point B.

The newest challenge is sleep training. Two weeks ago we had to sadly retire the Woombie (a swaddle). This resulted in Henry waking up every couple of hours, just like when he was a newborn. I was so spoiled with a good night sleeper. For a few days after retiring the Woombie I would nurse him every time he would get up, thinking that perhaps it was just a growth spurt. When the night wakings didn't go away after a few days, I decided I needed to start sleep training again. The first night I decided not to feed him in the middle of the night was the worse. I think Henry and I only got a few interrupted hours of sleep. Over the next several nights, it got progressively better. By the middle of this week, he was back to sleeping through the night. Last night he was up a couple of times, but only for about 15 minutes and was able to put himself back to sleep. I think some of the trouble is that he is cutting his first couple of teeth. Hopefully he will get back to sleeping better. Everyone is better off when we all get a good night's sleep.

All in all, Henry is growing up to be quite a little boy. I can't wait until he starts walking and talking so we can go on more adventures. My favorite part of this journey is watching him discover the world for the first time. It reminds me to stop and appreciate life in the moment as well. I love my little man.

Meeting Mason for the first time

At 6:24 yesterday morning I became an aunt again! Welcome Mason John Booth, 5lbs 6oz and 18 inches long. He came 4 weeks early, but is healthy and already a great snuggler. Sarah, you are a rock star for hanging in there for 6 days in the hospital. Your kiddos sure do like to stay with their mommy for as long as possible! Henry is jealous that Mason has so much hair and he is still effectively bald.

Henry update: He loves fruit! Peas are his favorite veggie. We tried carrots yesterday with not much interest on Henry's part. I mixed a plum with his peas and carrots today and he was a eating machine! I think I have my new secret weapon. On the activity front, he has now learned how to roll. From back to belly, belly to back, back to belly. He also seems to really like tummy time now. Go figure, over night, he's changed from a tummy time hater to a tummy time lover. If you put him on his back on the floor, it takes but seconds before he is on is tummy. I'm sure crawling is not too far out. He still can't seem to get his belly off the ground though.

I'm a big boy now!

Henry made friends with the baby in the mirror. We went and visited Dr. E this afternoon. Henry's weight has finally caught up to his height, he is now above average in both height and weight. Way to go Mama, all that nursing has paid off! He is now 18 pounds, 5 ounces and 27 1/3 inches long. Dr. E was pleased with his development and said he looked great.

6 Months!

Henry turned 6 months today! In celebration, he got to try his first solid food...applesauce. Later in the day he gummed/sucked on some watermelon and the applesauce got doctored up with some rice cereal. As you can see, about half the appleasuce ended on his face rather than in his belly. Not too bad for his first shot at eating off a spoon though.Henry is now trying to sit up independently. What a big boy!

This picture was taken on the front porch of the house we rented last week in Jacksonville, OR (just outside Ashland), where we celebrated Mama's 30th birthday. As you can see, the view was great. I can't wait until we are out on the farm!

So excited! Look at my beautiful blue eyes, Grandma Sherry is so disappointed (she was counting on Mama creating a browned-eyed baby for her).

Ah, a little lounging while on vacation.

Fun with Grandma O

These are some pics my mom took while hanging out with Henry over the last couple of weeks.

5 Months!!!

Daddy's recliner is slippery, but oh so comfy.

Can't wait to play T-Ball!

Henry likes to sit in his Bumbo while Mommy and Daddy have dinner each night. He can't wait to start eating real food.

All smiles. Life is good.

Rolling over is easier and easier every day. Tummy time is much more tolerable. Henry's going to be crawling in no time at all!

Henry turned 5 months on Thursday. He is such a joy! He sleeps through the night most nights (8-9 hours), which is a huge plus during the work week. He just got over his first cold, but he handled it like a champ, not too fussy. He really enjoys sitting in his Bumbo and watching Mom do whatever, from washing dishes, to cooking dinner, to vacuuming, to gardening, to opening mail...well, for about 15-20 minutes and then he wants OUT. He reaches out and grabs things now too, including Mom's earrings and the cactus that sits on the kitchen table (ouch). Baby-proofing my house is definitely on the priority list. He also loves to stand and bounce with assistance. It wouldn't surprise me if he walks before he crawls. His attention span is getting longer by the day. He will now listen to 2-3 short board books in a row. As an avid reader, I am trying to instill a love of reading early, or at least an interest in books. He favorite so far is The Hungry Caterpillar.

As for Mom, I am feeling a little more adjusted to my new normal. I still struggle to find balance between work and the rest of life, but that will probably be a struggle until I retire (or win the lottery...perhaps I should start buying tickets). I've lost 50 pounds since Henry was born, but still can't seem to find the time to run or go to the gym. Perhaps after I'm done nursing I will find some more time. Speaking of nursing, last week I was finally able to retire the nipple shield! I never thought the day would come, but I can now nurse like normal women. Yippee!!! After reflecting about the last 5 months, what I am most grateful for in life, is the invention of grandmas. Both my mom and Ryan's mom have been absolute LIFE SAVERS. Ryan was at MDA camp this week and his mom graciously came over to take care of Henry while I was at work. There are not enough words to express how thankful I am to have family nearby that are willing to help out. It makes going to work so much easier knowing Henry's at home with family that loves him. I love hearing the stories about all the fun they had together while I was away. I wish I could be a baby again!

Weekend fun

Henry loves his Bumbo! Sadly though, his love affair with his bouncy seat has ended.

Play date with Jade on Sunday. Jade was born just a week before Henry. Henry can't wait until he and Jade can plot against the moms. Thanks Shira for spending the morning with us and bring over such yummy Oregon strawberries and cherries!

Tummy time may be tolerable now...but just in small doses. Henry can get his legs moving, then the arms, but the belly stays firmly planted.