Dear Doster- 10 Months

Dear Doster,

Month number 10 was amazing, yet really challenging.  You grew so much this month, both physically and personality-wise.  Unfortunately, there were some issues with sickness that plagued our household this month (that’s where the whole “challenging” part came in to play).

You were Patient Zero of the Gilbert Stomach Virus Epidemic of 2014.  It was a very stressful few days, but we made it!  A few ear infections reared their ugly heads this month, one even manifesting in conjunctivitis.  We’ve been talking about tubes for a while now, but I am still trying to avoid them if possible.  We’ll see how that goes.  Lastly, I got strep throat this month.  It was so hard being quarantined away from you for a few days.  Your Dad did a great job of solo-missioning the parenting while I was down and out. He even took you to Emma’s birthday party, and it looks like you had an awesome time.

Your throw-up landed on Dad's face.  I should have known you were sick!

Cute pic that your Dad took at the party.  I love that big smile from Graham!

Another highlight of our month was your first zoo trip (though I hate that we unknowingly drug you there with a stomach virus).  You seemed to enjoy being outside and soaking in the environment, though we could tell that you were not 100% yourself.

We also did some very cute Easter Bunny pictures.  I thought you'd be a little scared, but you were amazing.  You seemed a tiny bit unsure at first, but we told you that he was "like Brighton" and you seemed to accept that. 

Size:

I really don’t know how much you weigh.  Your weight fluctuated so much at your doctor appointments.   I’m guessing you weigh a little over 20lbs.  And you’re still a shorty, which is pretty much destined to be the case with short parents.  You are still in your size 4 diapers and are wearing 9 month clothes, as well as some 12 month clothes.

Feeding:

We are still doing 4 bottles and 3 “food” sessions per day.  We are trying to thicken up your food texture a little.  You LOVE puffs and yogurt melts.  I think you really like that you can put them in your own mouth, and take a little control.  We’ve tried a tiny bit of table food, but need to experiment more! You’ve had: grits, mashed potatoes, banana pudding, bread, bananas, and strawberries. You loved the banana pudding, shocker!

You also make the cutest noises while you eat: Hmmmmmm

Sleeping:

Sleeping was a little rocky this month due to your sickness.  You’d wake up in the middle of the night crying.  I thought it was just separation anxiety of some sort, but apparently your baby ears were hurting.  Sorry guy.  I’m writing this a few days after your 10-month mark, and you are now sleeping beautifully again.  Thank you!  A non-sick Doster sleeps around 12 hours at night, and does 2-3 naps during the day.

Development:

This was a big month for crawling! You started off slowly around the end of March, and a few days later you were all over the place! You started pulling up on your knees, so we had to lower your crib. What a big boy! You also started feeding yourself (puffs and yogurt melts).

First time feeding yourself!

Personality:

Even when you are sick, you are wonderful.  You are such a joy to be near. Whenever you are around, you light up the room with your smile. I think I’ve said this before, but you LOVE making us laugh.  When we laugh at you, you beam! 

Some of your likes: tags, trying to touch Brighton, cell phones, your music table, baths, trying to crawl in to the forbidden bathroom

Dislikes: Morning diaper changes, waiting on your first bottle of the day, having your face wiped

It seems like each day with you is even better than the last.  I am so lucky to be your mom.  I am thankful every single day for the time that I get to spend with you. 

Dear Doster - 9 Months

Dear Doster,

The days are going by so quickly!  I can’t believe you are already 9 months old.  You still feel so new to me, but in a way it seems like we have been connected forever.

We had a fun month and got to spend extra time together during ANOTHER snow day! This doesn't usually happen in South Carolina, buddy.  That allowed us to spend extra time making some cute Valentines for your class.  I felt like such creative mom for once!

This month also marked my first work trip that caused me to miss a day of your life!  I was gone Wednesday through Friday.  I missed you like crazy, but I must say, I enjoyed some pure sleep.  A big shout out to GranD for holding down the fort, and cleaning it top to bottom!   You were very good at facetime!  I think you actually understood that it was me!

Now some stats:

Size:

 

During your everlasting ear infection doctor’s visit yesterday, you clocked in at 19lbs 14 ounces.  I just bought your first pack of size four diapers to give you a little more breathing room.  You wear either 6-9 or 9-12 month clothes.

Feeding:

You are still my good eater! Not too much has changed as far as volume of food (still doing 4 bottles and 3 food sessions), but you've tried a lot of new foods!  You’ll eat whatever we put in front you of.  I love that!  We are still on level 2 foods, but I’m ready to move up to level 3.  You are hesitant about new textures, so we’ll see how that goes.

I’m almost completely done pumping, sorry kiddo! I’m happy to be phasing it out, though I realize how emotionally attached I became to giving you something that comes from me.

Sleeping:

This month has been a little rocky due to some ear infections and teething.  You usually wake up once during the night and cry for a few minutes.  Luckily, you go back to sleep pretty easily.   It makes me realize how good we've had it all these months!  Hopefully, once these ears of yours clear up, we’ll be rocking 12 hours again!

Personality:

I LOVE YOUR PERSONALITY! You are so much fun and you really light up the room with your smile.  You have opinions about things now and you love to express them.

You occasionally do a fake cry, which is adorable.  It’s your little way of telling us when you are ready for some new scenery I guess.

You also have a few bouts of stranger anxiety.  Your teacher at school was the first one to point this out to me.  I've witnessed it a few times, but from what I read it is pretty normal. 

  I can be pretty introverted myself, so I can’t say I blame you.

Development:

You are an expert sitter, roller, grabber and clapper.  You pivot, turn, tumble, push and even army crawl a little.  I think you’ll be crawling “for real” any day now.

You are also a big “talker”.  When you are in the mood to do it, you babble and babble.  It’s my favorite.

Just recently, you starting pulling up to your knees in your crib, which means that we need to get moving on the mattress lowering!

You are really good at the “Where’s Doster?” game and you can also place the big rubber rings on my finger.

You are master of sharing!  You are good at handing us anything we ask for-- you even fork over your paci!

Thank you for being such a good, sweet, happy baby. I am so lucky to be your mom.

Dear Doster - 8 Months

What a month it’s been!  For sure the highlight of my month was the first snow day that we spent together.  I was able to work from home and we got some quality time together.  I only took you outside for a few minutes, but you LOVED the snow.  Poor guy, I dressed you in so many layers that you could barely move!

A few weeks later, we were back at home for round 2.  This time we were joined by Daddy.

Other milestones include your first night away from home!  GrandD and Pop watched you on Superbowl Sunday, and your dad and I enjoyed a night out.  I have to say, I slept like a rock.  It was nice, but I missed you!

We also swapped out the carrier car seat for the big one.  You started to look a little cramped in it to me.  We’re still getting used to the Britax.  That also meant a stroller update.  You seem to like your new positioning--- I think it allows you to see more.

Now for your stats:

Size:

My little chunk!  I don’t have your actual measurements, but you were 19lbs 1 oz a week ago when you had your ears checked.  Those size 3 diapers are starting to look a little snug to me!

Feeding:

You are a food champ!  We continue to do 4 bottles per day, but you seem to be more interested in baby food.  You’re favorites are still squash and sweet potatoes, but we've tried almost everything.  We continue to introduce a new food every 3(ish) days.  We are still doing level 2 foods, but will probably bump up to level 3 any day now.  You are so cute when you eat.  You hang that mouth wide open, and you do this funny grunt noise. 

I’m sorry to say, but I am weaning off the pumping.  I’m just not producing that much, so it doesn't make too much sense to carry on.  This could be your last month with milk from me, and that breaks my heart just a little.

Sleeping:

You are still a fantastic sleeper, going about 12 hours most nights.  Occasionally you’ll wake up around hour 10 and cry a little, but soothe yourself back to sleep.  On nights when you are in pain from teething, you let us know, poor guy.

Personality:

You are so much fun.  You love to laugh and love making us laugh too.  What a happy guy!  Your face lights up when you see a familiar face, and it melts my heart when it happens.  You are happy to be around people, but you are also pretty happy chilling by yourself in small doses, which makes me really proud. 

Development:

You are a pro at sitting now.  On occasion you move from sitting position to crawl position, though you aren't crawling yet.  You still roll, turn, or sometimes scoot a little to get to your destination. 

You have very good hand-eye coordination.  You grab what you want, and move things around.  You can turn pages in your book, clap, play patty cake, and pull hair.  You are an expert at putting anything in your mouth!

Overall, you are such a joy to be around.  Being your mom makes me so happy.  I don’t have the history of being the most patient person, so thank you for being so easy on me.  









Okay, one more video just for fun (technically, you are 8 months and 1 day here):

Dear Doster - 7 Months

Dear Doster,

My little sweet potato!  You are already 7 months old, and I am ridiculously in love with you.  This month has been even more wonderful than the last (I have a feeling I’ll repeat the sentiment a lot!) and I love being your mommy.

Christmas with a baby was very fun but busy!  We kicked things off with Dawkins Family Christmas. You opened your first present, and boy did you love the wrapping paper!

First Present

4 Generations

I just love my family! 

We spent Christmas Eve with Papa Pat and your maternal uncles and Ran Ran (Randi doesn’t like the sound of “Aunt Randi”). You slept really well in  your pack and play while we exchanged gifts and such.

The next morning we started off the day with our little family Christmas, you, me, gigs and Brighton.

You really liked the paper again.

We hit up Grammy’s next….

And GrandD and Pop’s last.

What a busy day!


And now for your update:

Size:

You are a whopping 18 lbs and 4 ounces.  Big guy!  You are in 6-9 month clothes mostly, and still rocking
your size 3 dipes.

Feeding:

What a difference a month makes!  You are liking your baby food a lot these days.  You've tried:  bananas, apples, mango, prunes, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, pears and maybe a few more.  Squash is your favorite (it’s one of my favorite veggies too).

We do four 8oz bottles a day, and about 3 baby food feedings.  I’m still pumping, but I have noticed a decrease.  Sorry, Kiddo.

Sleeping:

You are still rocking and rolling with 12 hours on most nights.  THANK YOU!  You had a little trouble for about a week this month with some middle of the night wake-ups.  We then realized that you were sprouting that first tooth.   I still rock you to sleep on most nights.  Not because you need me to (you've proven that you’re happy to talk yourself to sleep) but because I’m at work all day and I miss you!

Personality:

Aside from the tooth aches you continue to be a very happy baby.  You are starting to develop a cute
personality.  You are so inquisitive and open.  I hope those traits stay with you!  Your teachers continue to tell us that you have a wonderful disposition.  And trust me, there are some fuss-ers in your class!  So glad that you aren't one of them.

Development:

You are very grabby and roll-y. If we put a toy just out of your reach, you’ll find a way to roll to it.  You’re starting to scoot a tiny bit.

You are getting very good at sitting up on your own, with the occasional tumble. 

I will try to be a better blogger so that I can keep up with your life (but it seems like I am too busy trying to soak in every second with you).  Thank you for being such a good baby.   You are the biggest blessing for our whole family. 


And one last look at your cute baby-legs:

Dear Doster- 6 Months

 Dear Doster,

6 months. That’s half of a year!  Ever since I came back to work, it seems like time is racing by me.  The last month has been pure joy.  You had your first Thanksgiving, and I think that our entire family can admit that your presence is what we are most thankful for this year.

A favorite moment for me was during the blessing.  We were all holding hands around the table, and you grabbed Uncle John's hand, as if you knew the routine.  Ah, melted my heart.

I am such a slacker; this is, literally, the only picture I took on Thanksgiving!

Somehow I have this picture too.  I'll have to get with the grandparents and steal their pics!

I’m getting much better about dropping you off at school.  I still cry sometimes (again, not because you are unhappy or because I’m worried—only because I miss you!).   I’m trying to live in the moment more during the time we spend together. 

In other monthly news, we took you to see Santa the weekend after Thanksgiving.  You were a pro.  You stared at Santa and were very chill.  Good job!  You also took a huge poo in Santa’s workshop.  James and I were very impressed with our pit-crew-like speed and even high-fived after we aced our first public diaper dash.

Size:

We just had your 6 month check-up today.  You clocked in at 17 pounds, 3 ounces (44th percentile) and 25 and 3/4 inches (24th percentile). 

You are now in size 3 diapers all the time, and are wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes.

Feeding:

Trying to hold your own!

You are still mostly a bottle guy, but we’ve been doing a little cereal for breakfast over the last month.   We’ve tried cereal and oatmeal and you seem to slightly prefer the latter.  You aren’t a huge eater, but we are practicing.  You LOVE your bottle and you even try to grab it.  You can put it in your mouth by yourself, but you haven’t quiet grasped the concept of the angle.  A for effort!

Towards the end of the month, we moved you to 4 bottles a day or about 1 every 4 hours that you are awake.  Half is formula, have is from me.   Let me give myself a little pat on the back for surviving 6 months of the pumping game!

Sleeping

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  You are still an incredible sleeper.  When people ask me about your sleeping schedule, I almost hesitate to tell them.  I’m afraid they’ll think I’m lying or bragging.

You do 11 or 12 hours per night and you’ve made huge improvements in napping.  You aren’t the best napper at school, but on the weekends at home you are a pro. 

You bounce around all over your crib at night.  Your dad and I love seeing what positions you will ultimately wake in.  Sometimes your chubby little legs get caught in the crib slats-- it's just about the cutest thing.

Personality

You are still a happy man, even when you aren’t feeling well.  You’ve had a little cold this month, but you’d never know it by your disposition.   Your teacher was bragging about you again last week.  She called you her “baby of the year.”

You usually only cry when you are tired or when I blow your nose with our snot-sucker.  Can’t say I blame you.

Sometimes I think you are trying to be funny.  When you make weird noises it cracks me up.  It’s almost as if you continue doing it just to keep us laughing.  Our little comedian!

Development

You change so quickly that I could never keep up with all that you are doing.  Some quick highlights:

• Rolling all over the place
• “Practice” sitting (with assistance)
• Grabbing EVERYTHING
• Putting anything in your mouth
• Reaching
• Kicking
• Making funny noises with your mouth
• Laughing Laughing Laughing

Thank you for being such a good baby.  You fill up my heart every single day.  I never imagined I would l love being a mom so much.  It is all because you are so wonderful, and pretty easy on me.   I’m so lucky.