Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Holt: 8 Months



Boy, our little man has grown so much this month! He is definitely packing on the rolls now that we are eating so much solid food and IT. IS. ADORABLE! I could just kiss those cheeks and that belly all day!


*We have mastered crawling and becoming mobile this month. I put him down to play with toys, turn around for 2.5 seconds, and I find him halfway across the room. And he has such an adorable crawl---he crawls with his right knee down and his left foot up on the floor, so he's like a little monkey. He also loves to walk (with help) and is starting to pull up on things. He grabs onto our fingers and his little legs and feet take off----he always has a destination in mind and knows exactly where he wants to go! I give it 2 months TOPS before we have a walker.



*His first tooth popped through on 03.15---we are still waiting on any others, but I think he is currently trying to cut the 2nd bottom tooth as well as both top teeth. Son is drooling up a storm----plus he is pretty cranky and chewing on everything. Any thoughts on the amber teething necklaces? I know a couple of people who have had success with them, but I also know some people are completely against them because they pose a strangling/choking hazard. I'd love any thoughts and advice on them!


*Now that we are mobile, we are learning boundaries. So far, he has done really well responding to the word "no"----he will stop what he is doing and look at me. Most of the time, he turns around and finds something else to grab his attention, but every now and then I have to pick him up and redirect him. I know we will reach a day where discipline is necessary to accompany "no", but so far he seems to be picking up on things.

*His personality is definitely starting to shine through! He is such a happy baby----he just constantly smiles and laughs (and he has found his screeching voice). He is currently obsessed with dogs---his face just lights up and he starts moving his arms excitedly and screeching. I also have a hunch that he is going to be a thinker like his daddy. He really studies things and is very curious about how everything works--I can just see the wheels in his little head turning all the time!


*He absolutely loves to be outside and with the warmer weather we have gone on lots of walks. He has also felt grass for the first time (and has tried to eat several handfuls of it). That has to be one of the neatest things as a parent---watching the sense of awe on your child's face when they experience something new just reminds you not to take things for granted.



*We celebrated Holt's first Easter this month. We took a quick, spur of the moment trip to see family and have Easter lunch. So of course we had to take pictures! Cutest little bunny I've ever seen! :)




Weight: 17 lbs. (15th percentile)---yay! Out of single digits!
Height: 28 inches (50th percentile)



Favorites: *mama and daddy--mostly mama this month though *Sophie (or any dog really) *crawling/being mobile *eating *being outside *paci  *playdates with friends--it's so fun to watch him interact and play with other babies

Milestones: *crawling *sitting up *walking with help *1st tooth popped through *1st Easter celebrated
*1st ride in a shopping cart *1st time to swing at the park *1st bath in the big bathtub *attended his 1st wedding *Had his 1st Cabela's shopping experience

Sleep: He has mostly been a rockstar sleeper---going from around 7ish--7:30AM! In the last week or so though, since working on teeth, he has woken up a few times looking for a paci. We had one EXTREMELY rough night on Good Friday----he woke up EVERY HOUR from 7:45pm--7:00am. His mouth hurt from trying to cut 3 teeth and he was super snotty and stuffed up because he couldn't breathe. It was a rough night for everyone. We are down to 2 naps a day now. For about 3 weeks, he took a 2-2.5 hour morning nap and about an hour nap in the afternoon. Once teething started, he maybe sleeps an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. Hopefully we will revert back once those stubborn teeth break through!

Feeding: Holt cut back on formula this month since we added 3 meals of solids per day. The pediatrician told me to expect this so I know it's normal. He is down to 3 bottles/day with 7-8 ounces each. Follow along with more details of our solids journey with the Baby-Led Feeding posts.

Holt-man,

Words cannot express the amount of love your daddy and I have for you. You completely light up our world and it is so fun to watch you grow and start to become a little tiny independent human being. We often talk of how you are turning in to a little boy right before our eyes and we can't wait to discover your personality and interests. We LOVE being your parents---it is the best job in the entire world!

1st shopping cart experience at Sam's

Playing with our friend Lola

Loving the outdoors (and trying some grass)

1st Cabela's experience

Pondering the fishing equipment

Trying a lemon

Crawling (and drooling) master

corn on the cob felt good on those gums

enjoying the sunshine

first bath in the tub

we LOVE Sophie

1st wedding---he did awesome!

handsome little man

sleeping angel

fun times with GiGi