Texan Half Birthday!

We have been in Texas for the last week. During that time- Grayson turned 6 months old. I can hardly believe it has been 6 months! Time is just flying by and he is growing and changing so fast!

So- I realized at the end of the night I had not taken a picture on his actual 6 month and snapped this. Pardon the bad coloring/lighting.

So- here are some tidbits about Grayson at 6 months

He weighs in at 14 lbs 2 oz as of tonight.
He is around 25 inches long.
He is still wearing mostly 0-3 month clothing (except Gerber onesies in the packages)
He is not interested in purees anymore so we are going the Baby Led Weaning route to introduce solids
He army crawls all over and can now pull himself from sitting to standing, He is still working on going from laying to sitting though
He will walk if you are holding him in a standing position. I am hoping this does not mean he will be an early walker.
He still fights naps like none other (Terrie saw first hand what I mean by this...people never understand until they see it.)
He talks when he is tired to keep himself awake
He loves to laugh and make others laugh
He enjoys anything with Mickey Mouse on it
He loves books

Our trip was wonderful but it really threw Grayson off and he had just adjusted to being in Texas when we came home and now he is having trouble getting back into the groove of being home. He got so used to sleeping with us in Texas that he won't sleep even the first part of the night alone. I hope to get a chance to post pictures, etc from Texas soon.

The best news came the day we were leaving for Texas when the Bolanders called to let us know they are going to be stationed in Colorado in May/June of 2011. We are super excited to have them closer where we can hopefully see them multiple times a year.

Army Crawl

A little video of Grayson's army crawl. He gets going really good when not ditracted by a camera.

Busy Busy Busy

So we are super busy in this house. Mike is finishing up school stuff that must be done before we head to Texas in a few days. I am busy getting photo CDs together (I have 6 to get out before we leave), cleaning, and trying to start packing. Meanwhile- my not-even-six-month-old son is CRAWLING!!!! It is an army crawl but he is SUPER QUICK at it. (I will try and get a recent video and post it since the one I have is a few weeks old and he was just starting to get it down.)

Just a few updates- Mike is healing well from his wreck but he is still SUPER sore. He will not be up for normal Mikey play when we go to Texas- yet, I don't think he will let that stop him. I am sure he will tickle, wrestle, chase, and more. He has already promised Vigo non-stop tickles.

Grayson had his six month appointment. He wieghed in at only 13 lbs 7 oz (although right before leaving to go I weighed him on the baby scale at 13 lbs 15 oz and my scale is usually UNDER the drs). His length was 24 1/4 (or maybe it was 3/4)". His head was 17 1/2". So- His head is in the 59th percentile, while both weight and height are in the 3rd percentile. According to his doctor he is PERFECTLY PROPORTIONED! I was worried because we can not get him to eat any more than 22 oz of breastmilk and formula combined in one day. The pediatrician assured me that he is getting plenty and if he ate too much more he would probably be overweight for his height. This doctor has started going by the WHO guidelines which take the weight by height into consideration. Grayson was too young to get the flu shot, but I was not going to have him get it anyways since I am still breastfeeding.

On the solids front. Grayson was very interested in them at first. We got through quite a few foods. Now he doesn't seem interested. So, I am kind of excited. Knowing he does not have allergies we are going to be able to really explore Baby Led Weaning. (Not weaning from nursing) Also, Grayson is quite distracted during the day and as such, he was not nursing well. I developed a few clogged ducts over the last month or so and the last one was in the "beginning stages of mastitis" according to the LC. I spent Tuesday and most of Wednesday sick with a fever, chills and more. Luckily, I was able to catch it early enough to treat it with natural healing methods. Grayson is now eating more- but at night. He is waking every 2 hours again! This is known as reverse cycling and I don't mind it too much right now but I am not sure if I will want to keep this up for too long.

I had a birthday last week....Mike and I are using Texas as our presents this year and so my birthday was pretty low key. My sister had a candle party on my birthday and so I went to that.

Finally, this week Grayson enjoyed- for the most part- his first Hockey Game. He did really well for the first part but then the noise, etc seemed to get to him. We got to see one really good fight but the score was zip to zip when we left 10 minutes early.

I hope to get on and do a few updates from Texas. Especially since we will have Grayson's 6 month/half birthday when we are there, Mike's birthday, and so much more.

The Ol' Pen

Today I went out to the Ol Pen to take some photographs for a gal I used to work with and her boyfriend. I had never gone out there before and I really enjoyed it! Here are two of my favorites!

I loved the walls in the Women's Block. They were sea foam green. The light coming through the window made for a picture that fit this couples personality and style perfectly.

I have a lot of fun doing photographs for people in the area that may not have the money to afford an expensive session. It has helped me develop a hobby and learn a lot.

First ER Visit as a Mom---

And it wasn't for Grayson!
Around 8:30 last night I heard sirens right by our house. Knowing Mike was on his bike, and knowing how often bicyclists are hit by cars in Boise, I was worried it was him...I just knew it was him.
Well, I walked outside to see if it was where I could see it...nope. Right as I walked in, my phone rang. It was Mike telling me I needed to go meet him at the hospital. He was only on the other side of the gas station that is next to our apartments when he wrecked, hit his head, got knocked out, and didn't wake up until the EMTs were there.
Luckily, someone saw him wreck. We think he slid on some loose gravel...
Here he is after his CT Scan and before they cleaned him up....

So, this all happened right as I was getting ready to put Grayson to bed. So, he instead, got put in a car seat- which he hates when tired! Dragged to the hospital...where he wouldn't nurse because I forgot a cover and there was so much interesting stuff to look at. Luckily I thought ahead and grabbed a bottle. He hung out with me there, my parents came up. We decided after knowing Mike was not too injured, that I would take Grayson home, put him to bed, where my parents would stay with him.

I went back to the hospital and got home around 11:30 to find Grayson had woken up at 11:00 for a snack and was not happy to wake up to Grandma and a bottle instead of Mom and a nursing session....poor lil man.

He was back in bed after a good nursing session by 12:30 and was kind to me and slept until 8:30 without waking. He is quite clingy this morning...

Back to Mike- he had to have 2 sets of stitches. 4 below the brow and 6 above. He has some good bumps and scrapes but is ok. He even went to work this morning. Not sure it will last all day but he is trying.

Who would have thought my first ER visit as a mom would be for Mike.....

Grayson's 5 Month Portraits

As I stated previously- we took Grayson to get some professional portraits by a gal in my ward. These are a few- but we are purposely not showing our 2 favorites because they are going to be used in some Christmas gifts.

Thanks to Sue Anderson- Reflections Photography- for these WONDERFUL portraits!

It was impossible to get Grayson to look up from the pumpkin if it was between his legs....LOL!

He got the stem in his mouth once or twice too.

We used some different props for the other portraits, but like I mentioned- we are using those pictures for Christmas presents so they are not being shown. Sorry! I will add them after Christmas maybe.

We Have A Mouse....

So, I was going about my business the other day when I noticed a little critter. It had a little tail and these big eyes. It had the cutest little ears. Normally this kind of critter would make me scream but something about it was just so cute. I thought maybe I would need to call an exterminator, but I decided I could live with a rodent this cute.

That is right........we have a MOUSE in our house!

Isn't he cute?

Terrie brought this costume up when she came for Grayson's birth. After we took this picture we actually cut the stuffing out of the hood so it fit better.

He enjoyed seeing Dad in a Goofy hat and Mom in Minnie ears but he didn't really enjoy us dressing him up several times for things like the ward Trunk or Treat, visiting friends and family and so forth.

Sadly, this event has passed and we are now packing up this cute costume hoping it will find use again some day, either with another child or a friend or family members child.

A Few Pictures

Just some random pictures of the cutest little guy I know, all from the last 3 days.

Guess who bought him this hat.....

Saturday, because of awful rain, some photo sessions were cancelled- so when it cleared up, we decided to get some use out of the Ergo and went to Kathryne Albertson Park with Grayson to walk the trails. Here are a few of the pictures I snapped when we took him out of the Ergo for a little more hands on nature time...

He sure doesn't like Daddy being in his picture-

(Also, just proof I do take some pictures landscape!!)

We are already teaching him to love nature....a tree hugger from the start!

It is so funny to see Grayson's expressions. Sometimes they make for some quite comical pictures. Most are due to the fact that he is quite interested in the camera, and so whatever else is going on becomes unimportant. Yet, we often can get a different idea as we review the photos. Here he was interested in the camera- actually leaning for it....but I almost wonder if he was disgusted with Daddy giving him a big kiss....

I traded a gal in my ward for some professional pictures of Grayson indoors. I helped her with something on her website and she took a few shots of him. She is pretty busy because it is the end of photo season for most people. I am looking forward to getting them back though and sharing them with you guys.

I Just Like to Be Overwhelmed

I guess I just like taking on a lot at once and being overwhelmed. Not only have I booked myself CRAZY full to do some pictures, etc for people- I have taken on something I have felt a little inspired to do for a few months now.
As some of you know, I had a infertility blog when I went through the last cycle of fertility treatments that resulted in Grayson. I wish I had done that sooner. I tried to always be open about my struggle with infertility and made many friends from that. I have put on here my struggles with breastfeeding...well, guess what...I want to help women succeed at breastfeeding. SO- I have started a new blog. It is a breastfeeding blog and it is a HUGE project for me. It is going to not just be me posting, but several women, each with their own experience, obstacles, and advice to give. I have women with over supply, exclusive pumpers, those who combo fed one child and have been able to avoid supplementing the second. There will be formula feeding moms who are still breastfeeding supporters that will guest post at times. I started this blog this week and was OVERWHELMED that within 2 days I had over a dozen women wanting to be apart of this project.
There are breastfeeding blogs out there- but in all honesty- most of them are by one mother and are so extreme they make formula feeding mothers feel like they have failed their child completely. Most do not acknowledge that supply issues are real and a growing problem. So- this blog is meant to be more of a community, where those who support and/or breastfeed can discuss issues they face and topics regarding breastfeeding.
Please feel free to check it out.
You can either click the picture on my side bar for it or follow the link below.
www.mybreastthoughts.blogspot.com
So, if I am absent for a while, or my posts seemed rushed- I am trying to get this site up and running and the other moms all set up. So please bare with me.

5 Months Old Already!

Our Lil Man is 5 months old today! Time has just flown by and I can see why they say months 4-5 are so exciting. He has changed so much!

Here is the weigh in result- as of this morning- 13 lbs 4 oz...but he is not overly skinny. He is pretty short so he is very proportioned for his height.

Some things that he does:

Rolls like no tomorrow (but only to his right from belly/left from tummy)

He can scoot all over and has started his own little lazy army crawl

He LOVES his new little exersaucer (Something I had to get to keep him contained so I could shower/cook every now and then)

He really likes squash- and surprisingly enough- peas. Other than that he has only had oatmeal but tonight we are trying carrots.

He has started passing things from hand to hand and not just putting them directly in his mouth

He LOVES to jump from our laps to the couch cushions

He is very talkative and will also "sing" with you

He is teething but very slowly. There are 2 teeth on the bottom that have been right there, ready to break through, for about a week but haven't done it- yet we see even more coming.

He can sit as was brought to you by the previous post

He loves when I sing and sign the ABCs to him

He got his first hair cut yesterday....He did pretty good and mommy didn't cry.

Here he is this morning playing and sitting. So interested in the camera.

Look Who Is Sitting By Himself

Grayson has been sitting with a boppy around him for about 2 weeks. The last week or so he has been sitting on his own for a good 30-45 seconds. Well, today he did it for 10-15 minutes at a time, and was able to even reach down and grab a toy and pick it up without falling over. Now he will probably want to be left alone to play even more....sad sigh.

SO EXCITED!

I am so excited I just had to share! I am a member of Babycenter. Mostly for a few private groups I belong to (the main boards are to mainstream and have way to much drama for me.) On there I am a member of the babywearing swap board. I thought I was really into BWing- WOW! Some of these women have more carriers then I ever thought existed.
Anyways, a lot of these women sale some of the carriers to get the newer models, etc.
Well, I scored a barely used Ergo for $65!!!!!!! WOOOHOOO!!! I have wanted an ergo really bad but couldn't bring myself to pay $85 for a used one when a new one is only $20 more, and I couldn't bring myself to buy a new one because of the price tag...LOL!
The gal is shipping it on Monday and I am excited to have it before our trip to Texas to wear in the airport and also when we go to the sites in San Antonio.

9 Years!!!

Today, Mike and I celebrate 9 years of marriage. WOOHOO! I know it sounds cliche but, I thought I knew that I loved him when we got married, and I now see I only had an idea of that. I am sure in 20 years I will feel the same about today.
SO- to celebrate our 9 year Anniversary- here are 9 reasons why I love Mikey!

1. I think he is the only person I know, who has been able to leave my dad speechless with his jokes.
2. He works hard to provide for our family, even while going to school, so that I can stay home with Grayson
3. He loves Disney as much as I do
4. He has a great sense of humor and doesn't mind be the center of the joke every now and then
5. He as excited about BSU football as I am
6. Kids love him- all kids, not just Grayson
7. He gets so excited about movies and video games, he will talk about them for hours, whether you are interested or not....such a kid at heart.
8. No matter how old he gets, he will always want the shirts with funny sayings on them.
9. He puts up with me, my strong opinions, and my strong personality.

FOOD

So- my plan was not to do solids until 6 months and then to do Baby Led Weaning (this is not weaning from nursing). However, since we are having to supplement again, and after a talk with our pediatrician (who likes people to wait as long as possible- he doesn't push to start at 4 months like some Pediatricians) I was open to starting sooner. Well, Grayson started reaching for our food and putting it in his mouth when we ate by him. SOOOO- we started with oatmeal (we skipped rice cereal for personal reasons). We started with oatmeal just until he kind of got the hang of it. We still give this as it has seemed to help with his spitting up. BUT- now we are doing his first veggie! SQUASH!!!! I mixed it with some expressed breast milk so it was super runny, but he LOVED IT! Here are some pictures below!

First Bite. Not so sure about this....

A couple bites in and he was LOVING IT! So excited for each new bite.

And after he finished...

Do I have anything on my face?


No? OK good. Wait, YES? I will just save it for later....

So, I guess the good thing about this, he will not have to get too much supplementation hopefully. Second, by the time we go to Texas he will have quite a few foods that we have tried and know he is not allergic to.

We plan on making most our own baby food but for the first few we have some of the organic ones in the jar. We will also get some jars for our food storage as well.