Quiet evening

Just thought I'd write a quick update - I don't get to write much anymore...

James is almost 5 1/2 months old. He's easily 18 lbs - we're guessing 27-28 inches. He has progressed to exclusively formula - has been eating baby oatmeal for about a month now, and we've started tonight with sweet potatoes - ATE THEM UP!!! Couldn't get them in his mouth fast enough. He was grabbing the spoon & bringing it to his mouth in between bites. He's sleeping 9-10 hours at night, and naps are still iffy - sometimes 30 minutes, sometimes 1.5 hours.

He's still rolling tummy to back - will go back to belly with a little help, but doesn't stay there for long. Doesn't show a whole lot of interest in crawling yet - just kinda lays there & squirms. BUT - he LOVES sitting up by himself & standing is his absolute favorite. He puts all of his weight on his legs & those rolls of fat just hold everything up!

He's been teething for a while, but nothing's come through yet. He will attack anyone's hand that comes close, and has even attacked knees & shoulders looking for SOMETHING to chew on. He loves his toys ( read: more things to chew on) - rings, "ella" and "parrot" from his floor mat, triangle & rectangle shapes with rattles inside, "monkey man" from his mobiles & car mirror, and any burp rag instantly becomes his best friend. He's discovered that the phone is within his range now of grabbing, and doesn't so much talk into the phone but just breathes on it.

He "babbles" all the time - screams, squeals, laughs, whines, groans, and is starting to develop quite the personality. We are fully convinced that "hey" is his first word - he doesn't say it at appropriate times yet, but he'll say it to both max & I when he sees us.

The child I care for

After asking for 4 months "who does James look like?" We found this picture. The debate is over. I've decided that I was vaguely involved in the process. More like a carrier, really.

me and my cuddle-bug

James has been very cuddly this week - just snuggles right into me for a few seconds, and then pops right up. SOOOOO sweet!!!!!

James' trickery

(transcribed by Becky - post by James)

after sleeping for 10+ hours a night for the past 3 weeks, I decided to change things up a bit last night - you know, keep the old folks on their toes. they were getting a little cocky.

I started by waking mom up at 6:30 friday morning. She tricked me back by nursing me back to sleep in her bed. (I'm a sucker for breakfast in bed.) I got her back by only sleeping 'til 8. Then, I wouldn't go down for my morning nap until I fussed for 45 (not my usual 15) minutes. I was tired, then, and slept for 45 minutes.

Mom got me back by delaying my lunch while she & dad went out to lunch. I obliged & drank my bottle & ate my cereal, but I didn't like it. =)

So then mom lulled me to sleep by driving, and I slept for 1.5 hours. (not so fuel efficient, mama!)

After that, I wasn't so crazy about eating, so instead my usual 5oz, I ate 2 at 3 pm and mom suckered me into taking another 2 at 4 pm. Then, it was naptime. I protested LOUDLY about that one, and got dad to pick me up with out making me take a nap. Then, we all drove to play disc golf. I fell asleep within 5 minutes though, and the suckers drove around birmingham AGAIN. he he heh.

AFter I woke up, we went to the park and I ate a few more ounces. no cereal, though. Don't even bother, mom!

We played disc golf - they got a few holes in before i got tired of being in my stroller.

We came home - mama thought i would sleep on the way home. boy can i prove her wrong!

I was kinda hungry when we got home, so i ate cereal & took a small bottle. Hung out for a while & then fell asleep with the rest of my dinner.

...

and this is where the fun begins!

...

10:45. I hear mama go to bed.

11:30 - I wake up SCREAMING - just to see if she can hear me in the other room. Medicine drops, mylicon gas drops, calm in dad's arms. (i'm a sucker for my papa!) Still not happy, though. Mama gives me a bottle and i fall back to sleep.

4:30- 6:00 Buddy the dog has conversation with neighbor. I ignore it for a while, but finally have to say something. Dad gets me to sleep, but not for long - he he he

6:15 - I'm up again, aware that i didn't even get OFFERED any food. Mom hears that pathetic cry & gives me a bottle. I'm a happy man. Even better, she caves & lets me sleep with her in bed, just so she can get some rest.

7:30. Shadow the cat scratches at the door for his breakfast, and this wakes me up. mama curses. that's funny.

7:45 I wake up for a fun day - Mama - why do you look so tired?

Best one yet

I'm done putting James to bed. By far, the easiest bedtime yet this week. We sat down in his room, read (with no tears) "Goodnight Moon" - which usually prompts tears by the time I've said "In the great green room..." He flipped the pages & played with the book for the first time. I turned the light out & we said "goodnight" to his animals & things in his room. We sat & rocked & I sang a song. He looked at me & watched me sing. I finished the song, and he kinda fussed a little. I sat him up & held him against my chest & rocked & patted his back. He sucked his thumb & blankie (a burp rag!). He was still a little restless, so I changed position - laid him down & let him rest in my arms. He tucked his head up against my elbow, grabbed a hold of my shirt and his blankie, and sucked his thumb. In about a minute, he was asleep. It was about as perfect a moment as it could be. I kissed his head, told him that we were going to his crib, and that I'd see him in the morning, and that I love him.

It's moments like this that make the 2;30 risings, the fussiness from teething, and the 3x/day spitting up on my pants less important.

Jailbird James

James in his "jailhouse" jammies... all clean & ready for bed!

let's include daddy...

James isn't as impressed with our new toy as we are!

Happy Evening

James & I sitting on our deck, taking pictures on our new macbook. After a year of waiting, Max & I can finally afford this new toy! We even got a wireless router, so now our house is wireless, so that means we can sit on our deck & enjoy the internet, itunes, and isight talks with Grammy!