Solids

Matthew started solids last week.  We started out with Carrots and he seemed to enjoy them.

We would put it in his mouth, he would push it out with his tongue and we would push it back in, then he would swallow the baby food and open up for more.    I think he was adjusting to the texture.  He ate about half the Gerber container.

It's fun and exciting to see him enter this next phase of eating.  I tried to feed him rice porridge yesterday, but he didn't seem to like that as much.  He just kept pushing it back out.  I'm tempted to add a little soy sauce to add flavor (but I won't).  I know he's still too young right now so I'll stick with the gerber stuff. 

We nornally feed him solids once a day, at dinner time, when we're eating.  Steve is pretty adamant about ONLY feeding him vegetables for now because he heard from someone that if we start feeding him fruits, Matthew won't go back to eating vegetables because he'll prefer the sweetness over the veggies. 

Any advice/inputs?

And the other thing we've learned is that we need to strip him down only to his diaper when it's feeding time.  He likes to stick his hands in his mouth when we're feeding him and then rubs it all over his face/hair with it.  It gets quite messy!

Lake Fun!

We went to Lake Gaston, NC a few weeks ago (Aug. 13 - 17) and I'm just now getting around to posting about it.  

It was our fist time at this Lake.  We rented a house right on the Lake (thanks to a friend of mine who's plans fell through so she rented it out to us for half price!). 

View of the house from the dock.

View of the dock from the house.

We went with my brother and sister and their families.

The cousins all had fun playing together.

We went paddle boating and even rented a Pontoon boat.

On the day we rented the Pontoon boat, we went to Goat's Island (it really had goats there roaming around) and the kids played in the water.  It was Matthew's first time in the water.  I decided to join in on the fun and got in the water with Matthew.  As I was holding him, I lost my balance and we both went under! 

I dropped my baby in the water!!  I quickly swooped him up and the poor little guy was coughing and crying.  I felt SO bad!  He quickly recovered though and enjoyed the rest of water time with daddy. (I think I lost my 'mommy of the year' award!)

We had fun spending time together, but at times it was challeging trying to keep the kids entertained. There wasn't much to do in the area. Thank goodness they had Wii to keep them entertained. And Uncle Steve to help make smores!

This was our first time renting a lake house and while it's fun (especially if you actually own your own boat), we concluded that we are beach people versus lake people. There's SO much more to do at the beach than the lake. But we are grateful for the experience and the family time together!
Cherished memories.

Lil Monkey

I just want to cuddle next to this lil' monkey all day.

Especially on a gloomy day like today.

But for now, I just get to squuueeeze him for a few minutes.

Then it's back in to my office.

I can hear him 'talking' with the babysitter in the family room.

I come out and squuueeeze him some more.

I just might have to take a BITE out of him next!

First Earthquake (For Realz)

I opened up my blog and was going to blog about how sometimes it's hard to remember to be grateful, even when things don't always happen when we want them to. (I've been having one of those 'blue' days/weeks).

Then....

An earthquake hit VA!!

Seriously! Go turn on the news.

It was a 5.8.  Shook my whole house!

My boss felt it in NC.  People felt it in NYC.

I've never felt an earthquake before. It was weird.

Thankful it wasn't major.

Nothing like an earthquake to 'shake' you back to reality.

I am going to have an attitude of gratitude.

Sometimes it takes work to focus on the positives.

The blessings are right in front of us, we just need to recognize them.

Weaning

Now that Matthew is six months, I've decided to wean myself off the pump.

I am slowly weaning. I went from pumping four times a day down to two times.

Do I feel guilty? Absolutely!

I nursed/pumped for the past six months and have about one month's worth in the freezer.

So that's 7 months of breastmilk!

I know that mama's milk is the BEST thing for my baby, but my mental health is at jeopardy.

(Insert quote: If mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy!)

It was a hard decision, but in the end I feel like it's best for us.

Now only if my milk supply would just dry up, fast!

I might have to get some cabbage to help.

Matthew is 6 Months

I can't believe you are 6 months old!

How is that possible??!

You weigh 17 lbs 4 oz (47% percentile).

You are a big boy and mommy loves all your chubbiness.

You are 25 3/4 inches long (27% percentile).

Your head circumference is 43 cm (30% percentile).

You are still eating 4 ounces about 6-7 times a day.

We will be starting you on solids very soon.

You are in a size 2 diaper, but as soon as we use up our current stock, you will be moving up to size 3.

You are still napping through out the day and mommy loves to hear you 'talk' in your sleep every now and then.  I love watching how peaceful you are when you sleep.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to work from home full-time so every time I hear you waking up from your nap, I take a break from work and come snuggle with with you for a few minutes.  It is always the high light of my day!

You love playing in your exersaucer! There's so much to keep you entertain in it.

You are rolling all over and just started sitting up by yourself for a few seconds at a time before you topple over.  You love playing with your cousin Abbey and she makes you laugh out loud.

It is getting harder to take your monthly pictures because you always try to 'escape.'

But we still manage to capture some cute shots.

You are still such a happy baby! 

Mommy and daddy love you SO much.

There are moments where I am holding you in my arms and look over at daddy and we both are still in awe that you are in our lives. 

You light up our lives!

Exersaucer Fun

Matthew loves his exersaucer.

I love it too because it keeps him entertain so I can make dinner or do the dishes (or get on the computer).

I'm loving anything that will keep him busy so I can get little things done around the house.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do once he's mobile!

I love my little guys smile.  He makes my heart want to burst!

Rolling Naked Baby With Thunder Thighs

Matthew is rolling all over.  Lay him on his back and he will roll right over. Changing his diaper is a little tricky sometime because he's always trying to roll away.  Pretty soon, he will be crawling!  Not sure I'm ready for him to be mobile yet. 

I love it when he's naked and I can kiss him all over his little chunky body. 

Especially these chunky thighs!

Doesn't it make you just want to squueeeeze them?!!

To Cut or Not to Cut?

I think it might be time for Matthew's first hair cut.

Maybe a hair trim.  It's almost in his eyes.

But I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet.  That will mean I won't be able to tie it up like this:

(He's really going to hate me one day for this picture. Ha!)

Count Your Many Blessings



Today I held my baby a little tighter and loved on him a little more than usual (if that's even possible).

When my husband came home, I hugged him and told him I loved him.

Life is too short.

Every day is a blessing.

Count YOUR many blessings.

Happy Birthday Abbey!

(Cake by my SIL)

 

2 Birthday parties (one in the morning and one in the afternoon).

16 Screaming kids.

5 hours of sleep (which is the norm lately).

Lots of candy, cupcakes and sprinkles.

No AC (again)!

(It was SO hot with that many people in the house!)

One EXHAUSTED aunt and uncle.

One HAPPY 8 year old niece!

ALL WORTH IT.

The big 8 Photo Shoot

Busy weekend getting ready for my niece Abbey's birthday party tomorrow.

I took these pictures a few weeks ago and enlarged a few to display at her party.

My Abbey is growing up.  She will be 8 tomorrow!

Have a great weekend!!!