ROFL!

I went to get a massage this afternoon, and this is what I missed. The boys were having a rip-roaring good time. Eric says Everett was even rolling on the floor while he cracked up. (For those not up with text messaging lingo, ROFL = Rolling On the Floor Laughing)

Ok, I couldn't figure out how to post just an audio clip. So I had to make it into a movie...which means you get a slideshow showing Everett's happy faces progress through time. I'm sorry it's so cheesy. :)

Exciting New Changes

With each new phase, a part of me mourns the passing of the previous phase. There are so many unexpected emotions that go with watching your child grow and develop. I feel excitement to explore his new phase with him, proud to see him thrive, immense happiness as if I myself am doing something for the first time, and a little sad that this is all going by so fast. I don't think I fully grasped (or maybe never even experienced) having completely opposite emotions about one thing at the same time until parenthood.

Today Everett figured out how to crawl! It's been so exciting to see the wheels turn in figuring this out over the last few months. It warms our hearts when he crawls into our lap with outstretched arms that so clearly seem to communicate "hold me" and "I love you". :) The increase in communication, though nonverbal, is incredibly fun.

He also has two tiny little teeth that have poked through on the bottom! It was a trying time, but he is a much happier baby lately. With these teeth, we'll soon be able to feed him more varied foods. For now, he's had carrots, turnips, and peas. He makes an icky face with the first few bites every time, but so far he is a really good eater and eagerly asks (with flailing legs and reaching arms) for the next icky bite. We also started introducing a sippy cup. He can't quite get the water out yet, but plays with it and puts it to his mouth correctly. It's more of a teething toy for now.

Ooh, and he is mobile enough to safely sleep with a blankie now! Isn't that just the epitome of infant sweetness? He sleeps with the beautiful blanket his grandma made for him.




If I could simplify the overall goal of the first six months, it would be to keep him fed and rested. From my current perspective, it seems the next six months' goal will be to keep him safe as he explores his world.

Next step: baby-proofing bonanza!

My First Mother's Day!

What a wonderful day! I feel so incredibly blessed to be the mom to such a wonderful, friendly, loving, fun, adventurous son. I also feel so lucky to have Eric, such a great partner in this adventure of parenting.

From the Baha'i writings:
"'O maid-servants of the Merciful! It is incumbent upon you to train the children from their earliest babyhood! It is incumbent upon you to beautify their morals! It is incumbent upon you to attend to them under all aspects and circumstances, inasmuch as God - glorified and exalted is He! - hath ordained mothers to be the primary trainers of children and infants. This is a great and important affair and a high and exalted position, and it is not allowable to slacken therein at all!' If thou walkest in this right path, thou wouldst become a real mother to the children, both spiritually and materially." - Abdu'l-Baha

How incredible to have been entrusted with such an important and exalted position!

New Food Friday!

Happy to report, turnip baby food went over well today! Everett did not make a yucky face! :)

And Eric and I had some fancy French cheese samples at Costco today for our new food. It was good - too bad I don't remember its name.

We also had a 6-month well check with vaccines and measurements. Everett did really well after the vaccines. He calmed himself easier than previously and did not require nursing to accomplish this. His stats are mainly the same when you look at the percentages. The pediatrician told us consistency in the percentiles are good.

Length: 27.5 inches (88th percentile) - I suspect the 4 month measurement was off as I doubt he only grew a half of an inch in two months. But who knows.
Weight: 16lb 3 oz (25th percentile) - Judging by the fatigue in my arms at the end of the day, I really thought he was going to be heavier than that.
Head circumference: 43.2 cm (45th percentile) - This should be bigger as we are incessantly telling him how awesome he is. :)

And because our day wasn't jam-packed enough, we also took Everett out briefly in our new bike trailer. This was a fantastic Mother's Day gift from Eric so we can go out as a family on the bike trails. :) (Luckily, it's also my present that I don't have to pull it.) Unfortunately, at the current time Everett was just really freaked out by the ride. He looked so super cute in it though, and he'll love it very soon I am sure.

On another note, the bike trailer holds two and doubles as a double stroller. So we're all set for a sibling for Everett. ;) Or a camping trip with a lot of cargo.

He's a Go-Getter

Sometimes developments are gradual, and other times it's like a lightbulb. The development of the day has been really obvious! All of a sudden, Everett can go get what he wants. He still can't crawl, but he goes from crawl position to belly, then up again. He pivots on his belly (which is pretty funny). It was so interesting today to watch him look at something and then go get it over and over again.

On the tooth front, it's making its entrance very slowly. He has a break in the gums, and it's sharp when he bites, but the white isn't showing yet other than being directly under the gums. Last night he woke up every 2-4 hours. It's been hard for both of us to see him hurting (Eric especially cause he's a big softie). There is a recall of all brand name infant Tylenol and Motrin, so we've hunted down the last remaining generics in town. Of course, I'm being a good nurse and documenting his medication administration. hahaha! Hopefully that tooth (or teeth) emerges tonight.

Did Somebody Say Free Samples?

Here's our big boy at the grocery store in the cart for the first time today. He loved it! So many people to meet and things to see! So fun!

The poor little guy is a little under the weather with teething or a cold or both, which is why his eyes are so puffy. But as you can see, he remains happy if I distract him with trips out of the house.

Everett Jumped Over the Moon!

I caught Everett doing some crazy jumping today! He seems to like Depeche Mode. This is the first time I've seen him go this nuts in his jumperoo. I have been looking forward to this enthusiasm for jumping since we got it. :) He definitely feels like my big boy lately.

I'm This Many *holds up half a finger*

Wow - 6 months have come and gone too fast. Our lives are so much richer with you in them, Everett. I love watching you make people happy. When meeting new people, there are an initial few seconds of watching the person, then you give them a big smile. It always warms their heart. When you see someone you already know, you give up that sweet smile much sooner. We feel blessed to have such a happy baby.

Here's what's going on lately:

Still no teeth! I feel like we're SOOOO close! I can see them in the gums, but they have yet to poke through. He sure does seem like it's hurting him though, so any day.

Still no crawling! He tries SO hard and gets really frustrated that he can't go forward. He is excellent at getting in crawling and push-up position and even balances like a tripod on two arms and one leg. He rocks on his legs and faceplants sometimes. But so far, those arms are not letting him going forward. He is incredibly close though. I'm torn between rescuing him when he gets frustrated and letting him try to work it out for a few minutes.

This month he got to go in a baby swing for the first time. It was so much fun. He seemed to really enjoy it. I'm on the lookout now for parks with them.



I try to give him lots of opportunities for socialization. We go to postnatal yoga several times per week and a few playgroups. As is normal for all babies at this age, he is really captivated by other babies whether they are in real life or in a picture.

This month Everett got to meet his Great Grandma, Great Grandpa, and his Great Aunt Jane (did you realize you're a Great?)! It was a real treat to get to see them as they live in Illinois and Wisconsin. We plan to see them again in July when he takes his first plane ride for the family reunion!


Crawling is easy! This is how you do it!


I don't know if I'm ready for power tools Great Grandpa!

As seen in a previous post, he now eats food every other day. It's just too messy for me to tackle on a daily basis. So far, he has just had rice cereal and carrots. Next week turnips and then beets. (root vegetables are in season)

It's been really fun to see his face hold more diverse expressions lately, mostly with the increased use of his eyebrows! When I hold him and brush my teeth he looks at me with worry, not quite sure why I'm foaming at the mouth. His initial reaction to the carrots was also really funny - a mix of confusion and distaste.

Life just keeps getting more and more fun! I can't wait to see what next month brings! I have a feeling it's going to be a momentous one.