Picking Out the (Not-so-Perfect) Tree

Admittedly, I do not love the tree we picked out this year. It's a little off and not the best shape. But it's our tree and it's Nathan's first tree, so we're making the best of it and it's growing on us.

Since we live in a different part of town, we passed on Home Depot this year and decided to pick a tree from a new location. We saw a tent at a church near our house and decided to support them. It was late and probably not the best time to go since it was nearing N's bed time but we made an outing of it and I think the kiddo enjoyed the experience.

Of course, being me, I had to see at least five trees unwrapped and shaken out. We have a lot of heavy ornaments so the goal was to find one with sturdy branches and just the right height.

If anything, finding a tree and setting it up marks the start of the Christmas season for me so I am very excited to have it in the house. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas as we unwrap ornaments and unpack decorations from years past. I can't wait to share in the season as our little family!

We Give Thanks

We spent an amazing week in Hilton Head celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. 600+ pictures later and I'm still trying to get organized so I can do the trip justice in a post. As always, I'm playing catch up and will update soon...

Santa Baby

One of the bonuses of going to the Festival of Trees was getting to see Santa! I had no idea he was going to be there so we weren't prepared in our most festive attire by any means, but we took advantage and introduced Nathan anyway.

He did a great job! Really, he didn't even act like this was anything out of the norm.

"What's up, Santa?"

He was a great Santa with natural beard and all. Plus, he was quite the Southern gentleman, saying "y'all" and making sure I had help carrying the baby down the steps. What a polite Saint Nick!

It's Jess!

Okay, catching up a bit...

In mid-November, my cousin Jess made the trip down from NYC to meet baby Nathan. We grew up together and I basically consider her another sister so I was super excited to have her visit and finally meet the little guy!

We wined and dined each night, as we do with all our guests (makes you want to visit, no?). However, N is getting to an age where dinners out are not so enjoyable and we had to play pass the baby throughout the meal to keep him entertained.

Nevertheless, we had a great time and a yummy meal each time. We even made the walk to Baldwin Park again for dinner one of the nights. I love that we can do that!

We mostly hung out at the house for the majority of Jess's visit but we did venture out a couple times and saw the Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art. I thought it would be fun for Nathan to see all the twinkling lights and festive decorations. He seemed pretty amused and we liked viewing all the different holiday ideas.

We were so glad to host Jess and loved giving her practice with taking care of a baby! Haha. She was a great help and we were sad to see her go. Can't wait for the next visit - we'll have to take Nathan to NYC next time!

Meeting More Family

Earlier in the month, more family came to visit Nathan and see the new house. Ryan's aunt, cousin from California and her son all made a trip down and we hosted them along with his mom and brother for an evening of catching up and tortellini soup.

N loved meeting Shelly and Alden, who was a little bundle of energy!

Lolly and Uncle Brad got some quality time with the bubs.

We couldn't tell if Jax enjoyed the extra company or if it was too much. Alden made sure she knew which toys to play with, and she took refuge underneath them for a break from the commotion.

Lolly, Nathan and Aunt Anne

The whole crew

And even Alden got a chance to hold the baby. He seemed pretty proud!

Six Month Well Visit

Oh, buddy. Nathan was not a happy camper at his latest doctor appointment. Unfortunately, they were running late and we crept into nap time so by the time all the poking and prodding began, he was already a bit crabby. It didn't help that he bonked his head on the scale when his dad placed him on it. Oops!

Our long and lean little fella weighed in at 15 pounds 9 ounces. That places him in the 15th percentile, which is lower than he's ever been. I feel terrible because it confirms my fears that our nursing troubles have not been providing enough nourishment and he hasn't been gaining enough weight. The doctor didn't seem concerned, though, and just told us to give him more calories throughout the day. We're working on it!

His head was 17 inches round, which ranked in the 40th percentile. Also lower than previous measurements but not by much.

His length held steady in the 50th percentile at 26.5 inches. It seems all the nutrients he is taking in are going to his growing bones rather than baby fat!

He got four shots, including a flu booster that we'll have to go back for round two in a month. He definitely didn't shriek as loud as previous visits but he was still very upset by it. It still breaks my heart to watch him go through it. Poor thing!

But he pulled through and was passed out in his carseat before we even got back in the car to go home. Overall, a clean bill of health and a good check-up!

Six Months

Nathan, you are six months old!

It's amazing how quickly half a year has flown by and yet I can't remember life before you came. I love getting to spend every day with you and although it can be trying at times, I wouldn't have it any other way.

You are such a doll and everywhere we go everyone just eats you up. You continue to show a silly, happy side and a quieter, more contemplative side depending on your mood. You crack up in the cutest belly laugh when we make silly noises at you. You've even started giggling at Jax, which is so fun!

You have shown us you can roll over but just don't seem that interested in it. You're also able to sit up in a "tripod" for a few seconds before toppling over. Otherwise, you're still content to lay on your back on your activity mat with all your toys. You also love the exersauser and jumperoo. You ride on my hip now when I carry you - always wanting to see where we are and where we're going.

Nursing has gone from bad to worse and it's been a struggle to have you eat so we've been supplementing with formula for about a month now. You take a bedtime bottle consistently and smaller ones here and there when you need them. Thankfully, you're great at eating solids twice a day and have liked everything you've tried. A funny habit you've started is to put your hands up to your mouth with every bite (see above), which makes for quite a mess! You've also started reaching for my cup of water and I've let you take sips here and there but you get pretty wet. You now get a bath every night to clean up from the day, and it's become part of our bedtime routine again.

Sleep is elusive for us both and you're still up anywhere from 3 to 6 times a night. Most of the time it just takes your pacifier and you're back out so I'm anxiously waiting for you to learn to replace it yourself! Naps are getting longer, though, and at more consistent times. You usually wake between 7 and 8 and go back down an hour and a half later, up around lunch time for a couple hours, down again in the afternoon and sometimes up until bedtime, although you may take one more nap in the evening if you need it (and are willing).

Two little tooth buds have been causing quite the stir in our lives and I can finally see the whites about to pop through! It could be any day now or it could still be weeks. We'll just wait and in the meantime, you'll bring anything you can grasp to your mouth to chew on. It's pretty humorous to see what you'll try!

The last six months have been a blur but all I know is that my heart swells with love each day that I'm your mom and it just keeps getting better and better. You are so fun to watch and I can't wait to see what the next month brings!

I love you, baby boy!

xoxo

Six Month Stats

Weight: 15.5 pounds

Diapers: size 2

Clothes: 3-6 months and 6 months for day, 6 months and 9 months for pajamas

Update on Solids

Nathan has been doing great, eating solids twice a day for the past couple of weeks now. The boy loves to eat! So far we've tried:

• sweet potatoes (they were tolerable the first couple tries and then he started gagging)
• avocado (seemed to work until he broke out in a rash so we stopped those fast)
• banana (loved them but they were a bit too binding)
• butternut squash (LOVED them! gobbled them up)
• peas (enjoyed them but what a mess!)

We're now on a combo of sweet potato and squash until I make the next new batch - pears. His 6 month well visit is this week so we'll see how the doctor thinks he's doing and go from there.

We've also introduced a sippy cup with water. I've tried one with a straw and one without but I am pretty sure he doesn't get any in either way. It's funny to watch him try, though! In the meantime, he loves taking sips from my cup. I don't appreciate the drooly backwash but it's cute to see him reach for it and open wide for a taste.

Sweet Boy

 

Holiday Crafting

While they were in town, Kelly had the brilliant idea to make the boys matching onesies for Thanksgiving so after a trip to the fabric store, we set to work in our holiday sweat shop (aka, my kitchen and dining room).

Thanksgiving expanded to Halloween and Christmas and before you knew it, we had a trio of onesies ready to be sewn. So adorable!

Thankfully, my mom is an expert at the sewing machine and after mastering the applique herself, she let us take a turn. I am very grateful to have her as a tutor as my sewing skills are a bit lacking and can be quite sloppy to say the least. Maybe not anymore though!

The boys, modeling our first creations

Such a cute idea!

Watch out, this may be my next new business venture! Well, at least I can make N some unique, handmade outfits in the meantime!

A Visit from Hattie, Aunt Kelly and C

If you haven't heard me say it before, I LOVE my family and absolutely love that we can visit with each other even though we live a state apart. My mom, sister and nephew decided to make a trip down last week and we got to spend 5 days hanging out and being together. It was heaven! We didn't have anything in particular planned and just enjoyed shopping, crafting and playing with the babies.

"Here cuz, let me show you how to do it" - cousin C helping N with his toys. He is such a good helper!

Me and the boys

Sharing a seat

Aunt Kel and the boys

We spent lots of time outside blowing bubbles

And tried our best at photoshoots 

(it's inevitable that at least one boy is crying when the four of us are posing together)

We walked to Baldwin Park two of the nights for dinner. The weather was great and it was less than 2 miles each way. Not a bad way to work off dinner! I am so overjoyed to be in a neighborhood within walking distance of restaurants!

Carter devoured the queso on our second dining trip out

"Cheers Hattie" - C enjoyed his water while Hattie sipped on a yummy Pina Mojito

Trying to get a pic of Hattie with her boys. N was clearly not having it!

So glad Kel and I can share in raising our boys together!

As always it was a fabulous trip and I had an amazing time hosting. I'm already counting down to the next visit and can't wait to see the boys together. Each time they interact more and more and it's so amazing to see N light up at Carter. So cute!