Back To Me

Half way there

Happy 6 month birthday, little chicken.  I can't believe you're such a big boy already.  As of today, you can: roll over back to tummy, do a mini push-up, respond to your name, hold your own bottle if it's not too full,  stand for long periods of time with assistance, suck your thumb, eat your toes, sleep for a 9-10 stretch before waking up at night, reach for a toy and bring it to your mouth, touch our faces, belly laugh, and chatter up a storm.

I know parents all over the world say this about their own children and it's true:  you're growing up way too fast.  I'm so excited to watch you get older and learn more things, but when I see a newborn baby and remember holding you in the crook of my arm, my heart breaks a little.  Were you really that tiny?  Were you really that helpless?  I want to savor every second with you all the while being eager to hear you talk and see you thunder around the apartment in your footie pajamas.  You're our perfect little man, and getting to know you for the past six months has been a blessing.  I love you bunches.

Mama

Firsts for The Boy

This weekend marked the first:

. . .trip across state lines.

. . .stay in a hotel room.

. . .swim in a grown-up pool.

. . .visit with Grandpa.

. . .'meal' at a truckstop.

. . .6 hour car ride.

. . .poopy diaper change on the trunk of our car in a Mobile parking lot.  (Um ,yeah.  Sorry son.)

365 days

A year ago today I found out I was pregnant.  It still blows my mind.  And from August 8th to March 3rd, I was never alone.

Theo: Big Blue Eyes Edition

Alllllllmost

SOMEone around here is almost ready to roll over.  I'm not naming any names though.

Weary Traveler

This was taken on Father's Day.  He was crying and fussing because he didn't want to be in the car seat and the only thing that calmed him was his Fluffy Caterpillar on his face.  He fell asleep within moments.

Man this kid cracks me up.  Oh, and again with the fat Hobbit feet.  Aren't they the BEST?

Sprout

Theo had his four month check up on Monday and boy oh boy has he done some growin'!  He is now a hearty 19.6 pounds (please, call me a chiropractor!) and 27.25 inches long, with a 17 inch head circumference.  Still in the 95th percentile across the board.  To recap, he was born 6.8 pounds and 20 inches long.  9th percentile.  To say he has caught up is an understatement.

::

Our boy was colicky until about a month ago.  It was hard on us all, but I felt bad for him the most.  His poor body was going through all those rapid changes so yeah, he had a right to cry. His digestive system was immature so that had to develop, and his body basically exploded as soon as he was born.  He's a generally happy guy these days which is such a breath of fresh air.  I only want him to be happy, so the fact that he's not crying a lot, and he's smiling and cooing as soon as he wakes up instead of screaming is a minor miracle to me.

I love him so very very much.  Going to the doctor and hearing about how well he's doing brings me such peace.  After all we have been through I'm happy to say I have a fat baby.  Keep on growing little man.  You have a lot more to do.

Success!

Voila!

The day my heart exploded

Today.  Today it happened.  Theo LAUGHED and it was the most beautiful and amazing thing I have ever heard.  There had been questionable moments before:  "Was that a laugh?  Did you hear that?  What do you think?  Should we say that was official?"  But this afternoon there wasn't any doubt. 

He was laying on his monkey blanket in the living room while I was drawing his bath.  I came back to take his clothes off and hang out with him a bit before taking him in the bathroom.  Since he was in only a diaper, I thought it was a good opportunity to enjoy some fat baby love.  He was smiley and cooing while I played with is feet and kissed his round belly.  Then I tickled under his arm pit and that's when it happened.  He TOTALLY laughed because I did that and Bryan was lucky enough to have heard it too.

I, of course, attempted to get him to do it again and again and again but at that point he looked at us like we were crazy and actually became bored.  Pffft.  Sorry Theo, get used to it.  So tomorrow I have one goal and one goal only:  get him to laugh again and document it--I don't care if I have to get out a clown nose and silly string.

Wish me luck!

Gooey Goodness