The world of solids

We've embarked upon the solids department here in our household.  It's been fun, maybe more fun for me than Adam though. 

Here's what solids have looked like for us:

• We started with rice cereal which was a big fat fail.  Adam hated it and would frown everytime I would put a bite in his mouth.
• Next up was oatmeal.  Adam loved oatmeal and still does.  We started oatmeal at about 4 months 3 weeks.
• Next we moved on to veggies.  I wanted to try as many veggies as we could before we started fruits.  He had sweet potatoes (+), squash (-), green beans (+), peas (+), and carrots (-).  (+ means he liked it - means he didn't like it)
• After we tried the veggies, we introduced a few fruits after 5 months 2 weeks to put in the mix.  So far he's had bananas (+), pears (+), peaches (completed hated these), and apples (+)
• Since he's about 6 months I've started trying to make some of his food. So far I've attempted avocados (+), bananas, and sweet potatoes.  
• We also give him mum mum's once in awhile and he loves them.  He's finally figured out that when a small piece breaks off in his mouth, he is supposed to chew it and swallow it.
• Once he hits 7 or 8 months maybe we'll introduce some yogurt and a few more fruits and veggies depending on what the doc says.

This has definitely been an experience to say the least.   I'd like to try making a few more of his foods, but I'm nervous to do so.  Not sure why.  How do you guys store your food if you make it and how long is it good for in the freezer?  I'm still buying some of his foods, just to mix it up a bit since I haven't made very many options for him.  Also, what kinds of finger foods did you start with and at what age?

He is doing very well eating off of a spoon and doesn't quite get the concept of trying to feed himself yet. That's ok though, he'll learn on his own time.  He's also doing very well with a sippy cup.  We're only allowing him 4oz of water a day and he usually doesn't even drink that much.  It seems his appetite for milk has gone down, but I'm also relating that to the crazy 90-100 degree (+10000 degree humidity) weather we're having here in good ol Iowa.  Gotta love it.

More updates to come as we dig deeper into the world of new foods! 

New layout

If you've noticed some changes around here lately, it is because things have changed!  I've had a bit of a blog facelift complements of ms. Katie. 

It's been a work in progress and I'm still working on adding information on the different pages listed.  It should have been done by now, but ahhh, life has taken me in a different direction.  I'm really not too busy to do it, but I've forgotten about it and then when I remember to do it, Adam wakes up from his nap or Hubby gets home from work or laundry needs to be done or I just don't feel like doing it at that moment. 

I think I'll eventually get to it, but don't be disappointed if you click on the pages and nothings there.  You've been warned!

Adam's 5 months!

I cannot believe that you are 5 months old already, Adam!  You have grown so quickly and it is amazing.  You're developing new skills everyday and all I can do is watch in awe as you master new things.

Here is what you're up to this month:

• You have mastered rolling from back to belly, but somehow have "forgotten" how to roll from belly to back, so you get angry and don't even try to roll back to your back.  
• You can sit mostly unsupported, but I'm afraid you'll fall backwards and hit your head (since you've already done that once!)
• Everything goes into your mouth
• While you are on your belly, your little legs move like you're going to crawl, but your arms just aren't strong enough yet.
• You hold your head up beautifully, and you are starting to push onto your arms while you're on your belly, but still need some work in that area
• You babble all of the time.  We can tell when you are getting tired because you start to chatter up a storm in a low voice.
• You chatter yourself to sleep most nights and for most naps.
• You're quite stubborn and get upset when you don't get your way, ALREADY!
• You've started baby food.  You hated rice, and loved oatmeal. You've tried Squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas and bananas.
• You smile constantly.  If someone talks to you, you immediately smile. 
• You can't get enough attention from anyone.  You recognize Mommy and Daddy a mile away.
• Since you're home with mommy all day long, you get so excited when Daddy gets home.
• When you wake up in the mornings, you just chatter until someone comes to get you.  You are so happy when we finally do and smile and giggle a lot.
• Daddy can get you to giggle the most, you love flying in the air and when we play "don't drop the baby".  It's when Daddy pretends like he's going to drop you and you laugh and laugh about it.
• You're finally sleeping 9-11 hours at night.  Some nights you wake up and we have to help you get back to sleep, but you're doing pretty well.  
• You're weighing in somewhere around 16.5-17lbs and are probably about 26-27" long, though I haven't measured you yet this month.
• Lastly, you've started drinking out of a sippy cup, but haven't mastered the idea of it yet.  You get very angry when it doesn't work the way you want it to.

I'm so proud of you little man.  You are so smart and I love watching you develop.  I love each new stage that you embark upon and I cannot wait to watch you learn more new things.  Though, I have a feeling that I'll regret saying that because you are just growing up far too fast! 

We love you with all of our hearts and you have made our lives so much better by being apart of them!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Changes & updates

We've had a lot of changes around our house these days.  Some better than others. 

Easter was so much fun.  It was Adam's first Easter and we were able to celebrate with both sides of our families. We celebrated on Saturday with The hubby's family and Sunday with mine.  Adam did great on the 2.5 hour car ride to and from my in laws.  We got a lot of great pictures while we were there.  Grandma and Grandpa bought Adam some cute new toys to play with, and I know he'll love them.

Adam 4/23/11 (4 months)

4 Generations

Our first Easter as a family

Grandma with Adam

Sunday it was off to Easter with my family.  I didn't get many pictures because everyone was busy helping to get things ready for dinner.  Mom never takes a moment to relax while we are all there, so it's hard getting pictures of her and Adam.  (next time, I swear!)  

 With Aunt Natalie

Pammy came for a visit!

On April 25th we decided that since Adam was waking every single morning at 1:00am to eat, that it was just out of habit and not because he actually needed the feeding.  He was getting about 35-40oz and cereal in the morning and at night, so he was getting plenty of food.  The first night, he woke up at 1:00am so Daddy went in to check on him.  He covered him up, turned on his music and left the room.  Adam cried for about 2 minutes and fell right back to sleep.  The next night, he woke up at 4:00am and we repeated the same routine, he cried for about 5 minutes that time and went right back to sleep.  The next night, Adam slept 10 hours.  We started putting him to bed between 7:00-8:00pm and he usually sleeps until 5 or 6am.  We usually try to keep him in bed until 6:30am and not feed him until 7:00am.  That way he's use to going 12 hours at night and hopefully he will start sleeping that long eventually.  

Just as soon as he was doing well sleeping, he got a cold :-(  That was no fun for anyone, because it was on the hottest day of the year so far.  It was 85 degrees and our bedrooms are upstairs, so it was HOT.  Poor baby had a fever, runny nose and watery eyes and it was blazing hot.  Definitely not fun for him or anyone.  He is just now getting over his cold, so we're trying to get him back on his normal schedule.

On May 9th we decided to start veggies.  He was almost 4.5 months.  We tried squash first, and he LOVED it. He couldn't get enough of it.  I still try to feed him cereal by spoon once a day and cereal in his bottle at night and then one serving of veggies at dinner time.  We are just now starting his second veggie which is sweet potatoes and those didn't go over as well.  I'm wondering if his cold is making it taste funny, so we'll try again tonight now that he is feeling better.

Adam is nearly 5 months and he can sit up by himself for a short time, but then falls to the side or backwards, so we have to be careful.  He also rolls from belly to back a lot, but hasn't really started rolling back to belly yet.  He does roll to his sides all the time and always sleeps on his side at night.

He's discovered how fun his play-bouncer is and he loves to play with the different toys on it now. 

Mother's day was beautiful.  The weather was perfect, in the 70's and sunny.  We met my family for breakfast and then headed home so Adam could take a nap.  After his nap we headed to the park.  It was Adam's first time at the park, so he wasn't sure what to think.  After the park we went for a walk to get ice cream.  Adam and hubby got me a pedicure and flowers and they were so pretty! My parents also got me a pedicure for mother's day, so that was an added treat!  Definitely a great first Mother's Day.

 Before breakfast

At the park

Exploring

My two boys

Just an extra picture because I can.  It was 85 degrees out and HOT and Humid.  So, we played in the water a bit and Adam seemed to like it.  I can't wait until we can go to the pool!

That's all for now.  Hope you all had a wonderful Easter and a Happy belated Mother's day to all of you Mother's out there!

April 14th, 2010

I can't believe I forgot to post this..... Here goes...

Baby Adam,

One year ago, today, my life changed dramatically.  It was the day I found out that you would be joining our family.  It was the beginning of our new life, knowing we would have a family in about 9 months.  We didn't know who you would be or what you would look like, but we loved you so much already!  No words can explain the way I felt when I found out I was going to be a mother.  It was the most amazing feeling in the world.  Thanks for making our lives so much better, baby boy.  We love you more than we could have ever imagined.

Love forever and always,
Your Mommy & Daddy

16 Weeks

Seriously, where did the time go?  My little guy is 16 weeks already!  I'm so amazed by all of the things he can do already!  He jabbers all the time, he LOVEs to talk and when people talk to him.  He's rolled from belly to back, though it's been a couple weeks since he's done it.  He now rolls from back to side and almost to his belly, but his arm gets in the way.

We still swaddle him at night, but during naps he sleeps without the swaddling.  Since he's learned how to roll on his side, I frequently find him asleep during his naps on his side with his hands laying on his face.  He sucks on his fingers/hands all of the time.  Whatever he can get his hands on, goes in his mouth... We are in trouble, I swear.  He will not take his pacifier anymore, unless he's desperately hungry but that doesn't happen often.

We're trying cereal this weekend!  Cannot wait! I'm anxious to see what he thinks.  Thanks for the advise here and here.  It's always nice getting your opinions and tricks of the trade! :-)

Just because I love posting pictures of our little guy, here he is doing his new thing.  The tripod pose!  Enjoy!

And another, just for fun

Trying something new

I recently read a post from Lucy about gardening and it got me inspired!  I would love to start a garden but have no experience in that area.  Any suggestions for starting and growing a garden?  We already have an area that use to be a garden that I could use, I would just have to till it up. 

I would love to grow the following: 
-Strawberry's
-Lettuce
-Potato's
-Onions
-Tomatoes
-Peppers
-any other suggestions?

Should I not tackle any of the above list as a first time gardener?   Should I be looking into growing any other fruits or veggies?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!  You guys are always a wealth of knowledge and I have learned so much from you all already!  Thanks in advance!