nathan james: 6 months

 

The other day I actually thought to myself, "I can't wait until he is bigger and can do...." and it definitely caught me off guard because so much of these past six months has been me wishing he would stop growing so I could soak up all of his little baby goodness.  Each month becomes sweeter and sweeter as Nathan grows, develops, and gains more of his amazing personality.  So I think I'll resolve to not wish for him to grow up faster or slower, but rather enjoy where he is at presently because it is just so good.  

Growing// We actually have our six month check up today so I don't know exactly how much he weighs.  We also don't own a scale, but my guess would be close to 20 pounds.  For a bit I was starting to be self-conscious that he seemed so much larger than other babies.  And then I told myself that it means his body is nice and healthy, and his thighs are just perfect for gobbling up.  Nathan officially mastered sitting up...well he also has mastered the art of face planting and falling backwards...but his balance has improved greatly and he is playing with toys while sitting up as well. This has been my favorite development thus far!  He is rolling over from back to tummy so easily, and even has to kind of hoist his jolly belly over his legs to get there (which cracks me up every time).  He's moving toys from one hand to the other, looking at them closely, and then devours them to help his aching gums.  He does not have any teeth yet, but is drooling this crazy and chomping on anything and everything in sight.  There are two on the bottom that look like they are trying to make an appearance, but they aren't the front teeth so that has me slightly confused.  He is wearing 9 month clothes, and 12 month fits him very easily. 

Eating & Sleeping// Now that we have hit six months, I'm all on board with introducing solids to Nathan.  Because he started eating bananas and avocado at five months, we started introducing others this past week.  In addition to banana and avocado, he is eating sweet potatoes, carrots, and pears, and he loves all of them!  I'm making his baby food with organic produce and loving that dearly (more to come).  We are doing purees for the moment because that is what I feel most comfortable with.  He's still nursing 5 times a day, and wakes up at least once in the night to feed as well.  

The crib has been our saving grace, he sleeps so well in it.  Other than a few nights this past week where he was up like a party animal all night long, he usually goes to sleep by 7pm and wakes up for the day between 7 and 7:30am.  He consistently wakes up at 3:33am (how does this happen?!?!) and has a few days where he wakes up between 12-1am as well.  I gladly nurse him back to sleep and am not too concerned about weaning him just yet.  

Loving// Nathan continues to be the happiest baby, and he has such a content manner that it is good for my soul.  Right now he loves putting anything and everything in his mouth.  Sophie the Giraffe continues to be his main gal.  Nathan loves when we sing "Old McDonald" to him and he giggles every time.  On the rare moments when he has had enough of the car drive I start belting it out at the top of my lungs, and without fail will choke while snorting like a pig.  He LOVES to smile, and scrunches his nose just like so which is pretty much the most adorable thing ever.  He loves when people talk to him.  And we also found out that he loves dogs and cats!  Our cat has had a very big change of heart, and allows him to grab her ears and nose.  He gets the biggest smile on his face when she walks by.  We just tried the swing at the park for the first time, and he couldn't get enough of it.  He also loves the "Colors" book where he can touch and feel the different textures.  

Loathing// So this past week he realized that he wants something and if he can't have it then he will gladly tell you.  While playing in his bouncer, a toy wouldn't reach his mouth so he told that toy how he felt.  Daniel had an iced coffee and Nathan wanted the straw so baldy, so we distracted him with a toy before a meltdown occurred in the coffee shop.  He's not a fan of getting his face cleaned up after eating, or staying still during diaper changes, and he especially doesn't like when all of his food is gone.   We've gone to the pool quite a few times this summer and Nathan definitely prefers warmer water.  Getting out of the pool and chaining is also something he is not a fan of.  

And here are some darling pics because we just can't get enough of him!