eight months

Dear baby Henry,

You are fantastic! You pulled lots of tricks out of the bag this month. You started crawling (though still prefer the army crawl), can stand up on your own if you're holding on and the best one, learned to kiss.

You are a squirmy worm and never, ever sit still. You still prefer to be awake and even more so now that you're learning so many new things. You're up twice a night to snuggle and nurse, though you are doing much better with your naps. Your top teeth aren't coming in yet but they seem to be bothering you lately. You're talking a lot and shortening down to yells that someday soon will be words. You definitely understand Mac, Mama, Daddy, Pica and kiss.

You LOVE food. All of it. Your favorite baby foods are any fruit, carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes and yogurt. Big boy foods (non pureed) you've tried are cheese, crackers, banana, steamed carrots, apple, strawberries, refried beans, tortilla, turkey, shredded chicken, french fries, beef ravioli and canned peas. You still love nursing and are not ready for a sippy cup.

Your biggest change, though, has definitely been clingyness. You aren't scared of strangers and even sit with your friend Terri all during church. But you always prefer your mama and cry if I am in the room and not holding you. I am enjoying this sweetness while it lasts.

This month you attended your first fantasy baseball draft (silly right?), experience March Madness and had your first Easter.

We love you baby boy,
Mama

easter cuteness

We picked up empty eggs. Learned to put them in the basket. Had winter squash on Easter. Played with bubbles. Had a first Easter basket from Grandma. Tasted ham for the first time.

And just had a day of overwhelming cute. 

consignment savings

Last week we twice visited the Kid's Closet consignment sale. It takes over an old Marshall's store and more than 600 families sell their items. Last year we learned our lesson about the long lines and I volunteered for a four-hour shift so we could shop first.

For just over $100, we got a wooden Jenny Lind highchair, cute summer overalls and sun suits, a few cloth diapers, books, blocks and this rocking horse that Daddy couldn't resist.

We went back on half-price day and got the rest of Henry's summer clothes and some fall items for less than $50. More than 20 outfits (including brands like Ralph Lauren, Gymboree etc) for the same price I paid for a two shorts and a shirt brand new. Clothes with any stains or extensive wear are not allowed to be sold so we know we're getting quality items.

The ABC blocks with little figures inside for each letter are my favorite. Henry, however, would have preferred I would have attended a Tupperware party.

solid panic

I've been reading lately about a typical 7-8 month old eating schedule and then started worrying because Henry definitely does not get a food pyramid in his belly everyday. In fact, sometimes I FORGET to feed him solid foods. You can bring my mother of the year award right on over!

The boy likes nursing. Eight or nine times a day. We introduced solids (pears and applesauce) at six months. Never did cereals because the doctor says no good. Now, he eats breakfast (waffles, banana, muffins) and lunch (cheese, crackers, etc) at daycare. If we are eating at the table he'll get some version of fruit. We've successfully introduced steamed carrots, diced peaches and Ritz crackers (definitely it's own food group) all of which he feeds himself.

But other than that, he's a milk boy all the way.

My goal is for breastmilk to be his primary food source for 12 months. I am winning the battle - barely.

According to this chart, he's doing OK. And since he's eating meals at daycare, he probably doesn't even need dinner. But then this article tells me he's probably malnourished.

As for suddenly nursing again at 1 a.m., 3 a.m., 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.? I don't need a chart to tell me that I need some help. And caffeine.

seven months

Oh little Henry,

You're seven months old! I can't believe it. You're becoming more like a boy and less like mama's little baby everyday.

Any day now I expect your first word and your first crawl. You have the crawling position down and love rolling onto your stomach and pushing up. So much so that trying to take your seven month bear picture resulted in you rolling off the bear and scooting away.You've got sitting up by yourself mastered and love playing with toys on your new playmat.

You had your first major sickness when you got influenza this month all while daddy was out of town. Thanks goodness for Grandma. The weather has been gorgeous and you played at the park for the first time and LOVED it. (Video here!) This month you also visited the World War I museum, had your first taste of Kansas City barbecue at Danny Edwards and sat in a highchair all by yourself at a restaurant.

You looove food. Your favorites are Earth's Best pears and raspberries and Gerber mango smoothie. You also like the pears mama made for you, steamed carrots you feed yourself and pancakes. You're still a fan of nursing every three hours.

You sleep through the night for the most part and wake up with a smile on your face. In fact, it's rare that we ever see you not smiling.

We are so in love with you, and love watching you grow.

Kisses,
Mama

grandma and grandpa day

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit today, and for the first time since the flu took over our house, I felt good all day long. We had my second favorite Kansas City barbecue and toured the World War I museum for free (thanks Kelly!) Took pictures in front of the Kansas City skyline, which I just love.

There was iced coffee, a plate of cheese and super happy baby. It'd only be better if we could do this more often.

taken over

I am on day 8 of the flu.

Not just "Oh I had some kind of flu last week."

I have THE FLU.

I had a 103 temperature and was told to go to the ER if it reached 104. I went through two full boxes of Kleenexes. That's 140 tissues, people.

I was on Tamiflu, which is an antiviral drug that left me confused, hallucinating and crazy in the head. But took away my fever. And cost me $90.

I missed five days of work. Now on third day back to work. All three days have been a bad choice.

Now I have a sore throat, headache and chills. Again. And I am tired. Like when I had mono freshman year of college tired.

Misery.