New Trick

Everett has a new trick! He's started opening and closing his mouth like a fish. It's so cute! I catch him doing it all the time now, I just love it.

Krumpin'

Picaso

Move over Picaso, this kid likes to paint! Pretty sure that's the beginnings of a masterpiece right there.

Chillin'

Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit for a few hours today. It was nice to get some things done around the house while they loved on their grandson!

Introduction to Solids

Today was a big day for Everett, and a big day for mommy! It was the first time Everett got a taste of anything other than breastmilk. It was bittersweet actually - exciting that our boy is growing up and getting to experience new things, but sad that the time is passing so quickly and that he is no longer solely reliant on me for food.

Though he's been showing interest in food for awhile now, we opted to hold out on him until he reached 6 months, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. To be honest, there was also a tiny part of me that selfishly wanted to still be the only one who could provide for my child. But the time came for him to find vital nutrition elsewhere, so here we are, in the throws of making our own baby food.

I can hardly believe it myself. Me, once "Mrs. Microwaveable Meals," making my own baby food. But as we continue down this journey of parenthood, I find myself longing to give him the absolute best that I can. If I fully experienced every moment of the pain of childbirth to bring him into this world naturally, why stop now? Slowly, though I never dreamed it would be, I find myself becoming more and more naturally minded. It took a child for me to become a hippie.

I successfully got off track, so let's bring it back to this morning. We decided Everett would skip the rice cereal entirely and go in right for the kill with avocado (my favorite!) I wasn't surprised that E loved it too (but honestly, I think he'd have liked whatever we put in front of him.)

Opening wide for the very first taste. A little unsure about what in the world is going on here:


Still on the first taste. I think it took a minute to figure out that there is, in fact, food other than breastmilk. Notice he's now leaning into the spoon. "Whatever that was, I think I need to find out more!"
"Hey, that was pretty good. Let me try some more of that stuff."

"I'll go ahead and take that spoon, thank you very much."

Clearly it went really well! The cleanup afterward... well, that was a different story. I sure hope I get the hang of this "making my own baby food" thing! I know it will come in time, but holy moly that was a lot of work for round 1!

Toofers!

I finally caught E's two teeth on camera. He kept flashing me big grins while he was wearing my hat. He must love the Gators like his mama.
And while there isn't any teeth baring going on in this one, I couldn't help but post it because it's just oh-so-cute.

Playtime with Daddy

6 month photos

E hasn't been for his 6 month appointment yet (it's Friday), so I don't have his stats. However, I do have photos! He's become quite the Mr. Personality.

UPDATE:
Weight: 16 lb 6 oz (25th percentile)
Height: 26.6" (50th percentile)
Head: 44.4cm (75th percentile)

Guess he got the true Frank head... :)

That's the look of sheer determination. "If I could... just... get... up!"

I like this whole getting my picture taken thing. Smile? Why, sure!

Enough smiling, my inner ham wants to come out and play.

This sitting up business is beginning to wear on me. Are we almost done here?

Really mom? More pictures?

Upside Down

It was only a matter of time before the rough-housing began, but I guess I'm lucky we made it as long as we did. I walked into the living room one evening recently to find Everett hanging upside down in his daddy's arms. I supressed my inner desire to completely freak OUT and, instead, bit my lip and tried to embrace this new phase of play we'd apparently entered. I've got to admit, the kid loves it. He always busts out with a giggle or a grin, and I suppose that's what daddy's are for anyhow, right? He has his mama to baby him. :)

1/2 Year!

I simply cannot believe that our boy is 6 months old today! On the way into work this morning, I looked at the clock at 7:28am and got all teary thinking that 6 months ago at that very moment, I was in the throws of pushing, anxious to finally meet the sweet boy that'd been taking up residency inside me for 37 weeks. Our lives have changed more drastically than I ever could have imagined. It is impossible to describe the joy he brings me every morning when I walk into his room and he breaks out in an ear to ear smile when he sees me. And cliche though it is, I am amazed every day that I can possibly love him even more than the day before.

A morning snapshot before heading to work.

Enjoying our dancing, screeching boy after work.

And a little sample of the musical stylings (aka "screechings")of Everett Isaiah :)

Museum!

E and I hit the museum today since it was far too hot for him to be outside. We spent nearly two hours creating tornados and waves, learning about kinetic energy, educating ourselves on reading x-rays, and strolling down the yellow brick road of the Wizard of Oz exhibit.


Don't mind my crazy eyes... I was apparently pretty hyped by all the knowledge I soaked up!

Snuggles

It's not often that we have a snuggler. He always wants to be on the move. But last night I got a few sweet moments of cuddling before he was back to climbing all over me. :)



Right after he decided he, in fact, wasn't tired, and right before the climbing resumed.

Grandma & Grandpa Came to Visit

...and brought fun new clothes and read E stories!

Bronchiolitis

Even when my kid is sick he's adorable.

This has been a challenging week for our poor guy.
July 7 - cut his first tooth
July 8, 9, and 10 - woke screaming in pain in the middle of the night (we're still not sure what from)
July 10 - caught a wicked cold that made him absolutely miserable
July 13 - finally seemed to be over the hump
July 14 - started coughing, and sprouted another tooth
July 15 - had an hour long coughing fit in the middle of the night, and started wheezing

After all that, now he's got bronchiolitis, and an ear that's on the verge of infection. Still, my sweet boy gave me some smiles today.

I can't believe in all those smiles, he managed to hide his teeth. If you look really closely in the 3rd one down, you can see the one that sprouted first. You have to squint really hard and cock your head sideways, but I promise it's there. :)

Giggle Monster

So I was out in the kitchen making dinner when I hear the sweetest sound coming from Everett's bedroom. I grabbed the video camera and snuck in, desperate to capture these moments forever. This is by far the hardest we've ever heard E laugh, and it just kept going and going. I've got two more short videos just like it, as I couldn't stop filming. Words can't even describe how wonderful it is to hear your child laugh.

Play Time

We've been pretty bad about taking pictures when we play, so we did. :)

Everett LOVES books! I'm sure he got his daddy's intelligence :)




Get in my mouth, Sofie!

We just got E this fun toy this weekend. It rapidly became one of this favorites.

It's supposed to encourage crawling since it rolls away. Here he is going after it, before he discovered fear. However, now that he's done a full fledged face plant, he's a little hesitant to try again. :(