Sweet Barr - You're 6 Months!

Sweet Barr. 

I can't believe that you are six months old already. That was the fastest half-year of my life. I wish the days weren't so crazy so that I could stop and stare at you more often. 

The days are long and the months are fast, my friend. And you are the sweetest trooper through each moment. 

The biggest milestone recently has been your first weeks of school. We were lucky to rely on Team Grandmas for the first few months but we are so excited that you are in such a good nursery. Our grandmas have been so generous with their time, and have helped ease you in to school, started off with just a few hours. 

We are so lucky that you have the same great teacher that Doster did!

Size:

6-month check-up: 

Weight: 16lbs 7.5 ounces (26th percentile)

Height: 25.75inches (12th percentile)

Head Circumference: 44.5 cm (80th percentile)Note: Dr. P remeasured your head and said it was larger, but he didn't jot the new reading down. 

4-month check-up:

Weight: 14lbs 9 ounces (25th percentile)

Height: 24.75 inches (23rd percentile)

Head Circumference: 44 cm (96th percentile) 

Sleeping

You continue to be a very good sleeper at night! THANK YOU!

We typically get you down for the night around 8:30. Your wake-up time in inconsistent, anywhere from 6:45 to 8. We don't mind. 

Right after 6-months (sorry, this update is a few weeks late) we stopped using the Merlin. This means that every once in a while you wake up and just need a paci. 

Naps are still hit or miss, but you are starting to nap less frequently, but for longer. We're gettin' there!

Feeding

We had our first bout with sickness right at the six month mark. It changed your appetite and we are working our way back. 

Typically you have about 30 ounces in a day of milk, 5 bottles of 6ish ounces. I'm still pumping as best I can, but I've been sick myself these last few days, and that has caused a definite shortage of momma milk. 

We started on baby food Memorial Day weekend. You've had: baby oatmeal, sweet potato, apples, squash, green beans, peas, carrots, bananas, and pear. We are working our way down the list every three-ish days.  You're starting to like food a little more. You were adorably unsure about it for a few weeks. 

Development 

You roll, grab, sing, babble, look around and do so many other cute baby things. I think you are almost ready to sit up. 

Personality 

I don't call you "Sweet Barr" for nothin'. You are such a chill, happy, good baby. You laugh and laugh and smile and smile. Doster and I can be a little high-strung, demanding and temperamental. You seem far more similar to your sweet Daddy. 

Side by Side of our two guys...

Our whole family loves you so much. Thanks for being so easy-going and wonderful. I am so lucky to be your mom!

Dear Barr - 3 (and 2!) Months

Dear Barr,

The past few months have been incredible and we've really come into our own as a family of four. Your brother LOVES you.  He is constantly asking for permission to hold you, touch you, play with you, etc. 

You are the sweetest little man and we are so lucky that you are (usually) very chill. 

This month also began my time back at work, which was very hard for me. I love my job, and I realize that I am certainly not cut out to be a stay-at-home-mom. But, I miss our days together. During the work-week, our time together is so short. It has been a rough transition, I'll admit. We are BEYOND lucky that team-grandma is on hand to Barr-tend for a few months before we start daycare in a few months.

Size:

At your two-month check up (which was actually a few weeks after you turned two weeks) you clocked in at 12 lbs and 3 ounces (30th percentile) and 23.5 inches (51st percentile). Your head circumference was 42 cm (98th percentile) which earned you the nickname, Baby Big Head. 

Sleeping:

At two months, you were doing five to six hour stretches. I began to doubt you'd make it through the night in the near future.  But then, right at 12 weeks you did it! You are now typically sleeping at least 10 hours a night, sometimes 11. I can't even express how relieved and grateful I am for this! These long stretches of sleep have been amazing, and the timing in perfect since I am back at work, and need my brain!

Naps are not your forte, but I'll trade that for the night time sleep, happily!  I am confident that will work itself out as you get a little bigger.

You're still sleeping in our room, swaddled in your Rock and Play. I anticipate that the crib transition will occur soon. 

 

Feeding:

You've recently bumped up to nearly 5 ounces in your bottle, about every three hours. I am pumping and bottle feeding, which is working well for now.  We supplement about one bottle a day, and I'm a little concerned that I won't be able to keep up with your growing demands. I'm committed to keeping it up as long as I can, and we take it one pump at a time.

Personality:

You have such a sweet disposition. You get a little fussy when you are tired, but, so do I, so I can't say much about that. 

Development:

You skills include: smiling, laughing, grabbing, trying to swat at things, making eye contact, and being adorable. You are starting to hold your head up a tad, too!

Though I think that sometimes you resemble your brother, you certainly have your own look!

Big Dude 1

Big Dude 2

I am so glad that you are here and we are getting in our groove more and more every day. Thank you for being such a sweet baby. I am excited to get to know you even more and am so happy that you are here!

Christmas 2016

I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on our wonderful Christmas. In case ya missed it, we welcomed sweet Barr to our family two weeks before Christmas this year, which made for a crazy holiday, to say the least.

We arrived home from the hospital on a Thursday night, the night of Doster's school Christmas concert. I was devastated to miss it, but lucky to experience it from photos and videos.  If you were there and happened to be annoyed at my poor husband for being "That Guy" standing up and filming the whole thing on his iPad, you can blame me. I'm sorry, but not really.

Look at these cuties getting ready to perform!

On the morning of Christmas Eve, the universe gifted me a long nap for Barr (atop an also napping James), so I had the chance to spend some much-needed quality time with Doster. I was so excited to do something one-on-one with him and we both had a great time making cookies for Santa. 

That night, we went to my dad's house, as usual. I was pretty proud of us for loading up everything and making it! Luckily, it was a warm day and I didn't feel too guilty about dragging a new baby out in the weather.

I can't really remember how that night was, but I think Doster went to sleep pretty easily, knowing that Santa was expected soon. We'd taken him to see the Big Man himself a few weeks prior, (before Barr was born--no way I'm taking a new baby to the mall!) so Doster was very familiar with the idea of ol' Kris Kringle. 

Santa set up shop, and Doster ended up getting everything he wanted and then some. We told him that he could ask Santa for three gifts, and he chose: a kitchen, a Flip-a-Zoo and cars. Santa brought Barr some socks and bibs. That's what ya get for being two weeks old, son.

Here's a little (or long) video of Christmas morning:

We invited our parents over for Christmas breakfast, and wrapped up the day with a trip to Grammy's house. It was a long but fun day!

This was my favorite Christmas yet. Barr's arrival, paired with the sheer joy of Christmastime with a toddler was amazing. Doster's excitement truly evoked the Christmas spirit for all of us. He loved decorating, listening to Christmas music, driving around looking at Christmas lights--all of it! It was truly a magical time.

I look forward to many more special holidays as a family of four!

Dear Barr - 1 Month

Sweet Barr. 

Welcome to our family! Your first month was a holiday whirlwind and you handled all of the craziness like a baby-champ.

Sometime, in the near-ish future, I'll try to write up your little birth story. Though there aren't words to describe how it feels when meeting your child for the first time, I know that you immediately made my heart feel so full. 

Much of your first month was spent dealing with weight checks and the holiday craze. I can't believe how quickly it went by, and the tardiness of this update is definitely a reflection of how busy and crazy those first weeks were. 

Without further ado, here are your updates!

Size: 
At one month we did a weight check, and you weighed 9 pounds and 14.4 ounces. Your head was also 95-97% percentile. I prefer to think there is a really big brain in there.

Sleeping: 

You are sleeping in our room in your "bunny rocker" and typically sleep for three-hour stretches at the most (though you've occasionally slept four hours). Unfortunately, a good bit of your longer stretches occur during the day time.  I have faith that it will all even out soon. I hope so. Mama needs sleep. 

Feeding:
You love to eat. You spent your first week glued to me just eating nonstop. It was very, um, transformative. I learned a lot about patience and determination.

Despite all of those feedings, we had some worries about your weight loss and slow gain (hence, all of those weight checks I mentioned earlier). After many visits to the lactation consultant and pediatrician, we have a plan that works for us. It basically involves lots of pumping and bottle feeding, combined with nursing a few times a day as well. We are also supplementing with a little formula, and I am completely cool with that.  You are happy, I am happy - we're getting there!

Chillin' at one of your many weight checks!

Personality:
So far, you seem like a sweet, chill, easygoing, little guy. You don't fuss very often, which is very appreciated! 

Development:
So far your skills include sleeping, eating, and grabbing a few things. You like hearing voices and being held (though you are perfectly content just chillin' in a baby seat). 


Life notes:

We had an amazing first family-of-four-Christmas and I'll elaborate on that later!


A lot of people think you look a lot like Doster. I don't really think so, but I suppose it is in the eye of the beholder (or Barr-holder (see what I did there?)). To me, the more days that pass the less and less y'all look alike.





We are so happy that you are here, and in many ways it still seems unreal. I can't believe I have two wonderful, beautiful little boys! I feel so fortunate to have such wonderful blessings in our life and I look forward to getting to know you even more, Sweet Barr! 

Dear Doster- Three Years! (A few months late!)

     

Sweet Doster,

It is hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that you are three years old. It seems like we were just celebrating your second birthday!  The last year has gone by faster than any other of my life, and has also been my favorite.

You are 30 pounds of pure joy and my heart is happiest when we are together.

Last Day As A Two-Year-Old

A Party Fit For A Hero

A Little Fun On At The SC State Museum On Your Actual Birthday  

Your verbal skills have gone off the scale this year. I LOVE talking to you. You never cease to amaze me with the things that you say and the ideas that you put together.

Your new favorite thing is flips, and you are not such a fan of sitting still. When you DO sit, it usually involves an activity such as coloring or building.  Constructing Legos or Duplo with your dad is one of the activities that you love the most. You really like your “guys” (stuffed animals) and you are very into Paw Patrol right now. You LOVE superheroes and had a hero-themed party with Super Olivia (separate blog on that to come soon). You are also very interested in sports and you can name more football players that I can, which makes your daddy very proud.

Here is a little (long) video we made a little video on your last day as a two-year-old:

This last year has brought a great deal of changes for you, some easier than others.  No more paci, the toddler bed transition, new classrooms, new house! You have been a trooper through it all and never cease to amaze me with your sweet little demeanor.

Every night before bed, I tell you that being your mommy is my favorite thing.  I sure do mean it, and I sure do love you!