What a whirlwind!

It has been a whirlwind around here lately!  Last week I had to go to Starkville for work, and it worked out for me to be able to drop by and see the Jones' family for just a few minutes.  I had been dying for Brant to meet some our very favorite people in the world!  He loved them immediately!!

Then I dropped Brant off to spend a few days with Nana and Granddaddy...Nana is so good about sending mom and dad pictures!  We had a hard time without the little guy.  We missed him terribly.

 sitting so good!!!

Then on Friday night the Walker's stayed the night with us.  We know Brant would have loved some time to hang out with Taylor Grace.  Maybe next time.

Ike and I got up early Saturday to go get Brant, and we headed over to the hang out with the Jones' and Simons'.  I love these girls and their parents, and Brant did too!  We enjoyed great food and company!!  Jenifer and I did so good... the kids all matched totally unplanned!  Man, I miss these guys already!

 Uncle Ike had a blast with these two! 

 I just loved this one of Brant, and this is how he feels about Aunt Jen..  I'm pretty sure she was singing the frog song here!  Things we will do to get smiles!

 It blows me away that Mackenzie is old enough to feed my child!  I feel like she should still be a baby!

 Then we made a stop to visit with Mimi and Papaw!  They are just eat up!!

 Then we ended up celebrating Mr. Ira's 74th birthday that night due to us having to come back early.  3 Generations!  Brant loving on Granddaddy!!

6 month update

6 Month update!

• Weight: 18 lbs 3 ozs
• Size: diaper-3 and 6-9 month clothes
• 2 bottom teeth are in!
• Sleep usually 6:30 or 7 - 6:30 or 7
• LOVES :
• Attention!!  Such a ham!
• Bottles. He will reach for it as soon as he sees it.
• The paci
• looking at himself in the mirror
• Sophie
• His voice...favorite sound is hey. or it sounds like hey.  And every now and then screaming out.  He has definitely discovered his voice.
• Buster
• Outside
• Being sang to especially "if your happy and you know it."
• The mobile
• Dislikes: getting dressed and the car seat
• Still not rolling from back to front.  Doctor thinks he can but is not interested.

• Food:  Long before I was pregnant I said I would breastfeed for six months.  Six months was Saturday, and I am in the “drying up” phase right now.  I’m surprised how sad I am about this.  I have battled back and forth for weeks as to whether or not I would try to continue on.  Brant decided at about 5 months that he was done nursing.  At least that is what I thought now that I have done more research I have learned that a strike is common around that age, but at the time I just gave it up and pumped.  Once he stopped nursing my supply dropped a good bit so I had to start supplementing a few bottles a day.  He has been getting a combination for the past month.  Brant honestly doesn’t appear to notice the difference.  So after all that I said ok 6 months.  I KNOW 6 months is good, and I KNOW I’m not a terrible mother but it is just another thing I am experiencing mommy guilty over.  I also read that it is common to be emotional I just had no idea it would be this bad.  Any way on to other things…We decided to just to do a mix between baby-led and purees.  The daycare mentioned that they felt Brant may be ready for food last week so I figured it was time to kick it up a bit.  I have been sending cereal for him for lunch.  He have had green beans, squash, and carrots for supper.  I can tell squash is not his favorite.  He makes the greatest faces when he takes a bite of it.  He loves for me to say, it's yummy yummy yummy!!!  We are having a blast.  I pretty much let him do whatever and make a huge mess since it is right before bath time.  I am also giving him a sippy cup with water after he eats just mostly to introduce it.  He doesn't actually get it yet. 

 

 

 

• He is sitting better everyday.  He can't get himself into that position of course, but if we sit him down he can usually maintain for a minute or two.  He loves sitting up and will try to pull to that position if you put your hands down near him.

 

Brant has become such a busy body!  He tries to get hands on everything. Here he is helping daddy work.  Notice the computer is about to fall off the chair from Ike pushing it out of his reach.  I think we are going to have our hands full!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are just enjoying moments like this while we can... 

Randomness

Well it's not teething and it's not a growth spurt... it's hand, foot, and mouth!  Poor little guys has what looks like blisters on his toes and fingers.  Thank goodness no blisters in the mouth and no fever!  Broke our hearts though. 

 

My sister and her husband, Jason came to help us move into the new house.  I am so thankful for them.  The four of us have done some moving in the past 5 years.  I told Ike we are not moving again until Brant can move a couch.  It was an exhausting but fun weekend!  Here is Uncle Jason and Brant taking a break!   

 

House Updates!  Every time we looked at our new house I would tell Ike how much I did not like the cabinets over the sink.  He assured me that we could take them out.  He is a man of his word...bright and early the first Saturday in our house he ripped them out.  He also replaced the lighting which I love!  So very happy with how things are turning out!

The other thing I felt pretty strongly about was the color of the living.  It was orange and it was not working for me!  Rose and Chris do some painting on the side in Baltimore, and she said we could knock this out in 5-6 hours.  I must admit we all sometimes doubt Rose's estimation of time, but this time she was right 5 hours later!  WOOHOO. 

 

Friday night me, Ike, Ms. Susie, and our friend, Molly did some furniture painting.  The before and after of our entertainment center.  I have always loved this piece but almost did away with this because of it's color.  I am so glad we did not!  I love how it turned out. 

 

We also celebrated Nana's birthday!  We love you, Nana!  Thank you for all you do for us!!

In my little dream world all of our siblings would live in the same town.  Reality is God has plans for us in different places so we said goodbye to Sam and Rose.  We already miss them.

Looking at this I am reminded just how blessed I am.  Thank you, Jesus for our little family!

Pictures only.

Again, I just could not choose just one!  I wanted to write a good update on life, but couldn't motivate myself after being up all night with either teething or a growth spurt.  Hopefully, I will before his 6 month birthday which is around the corner! 

My favorite ever!

Friday's food addition

Baby-led weaning VS purees?

I am in a slight dilemma with feeding my child.  I have tried off and on to feed him, and most days it ends in him crying.  Maybe I am doing it at the wrong time or something.  He seems to just want to chew on the spoon.  Is this always the case at 5 months?  I have been reading a few blogs on baby led weaning.  I'm wondering if this is the route I should take....I  need to breakdown and read the book.  He is very interested in anything we eat watching our every move.  I know he does not NEED the food now so we have been pretty slow at really getting this going.  

 

Here is our attempt with pureed green beans...    

 

and then this is our attempt with bananas...It was so slick he could not really hold on to it.

 

Must have baby gifts



I am guest posting over at Stafford Stories.  Melissa is hosting some great working mom post!

When I was pregnant I LOVED reading blog post with list of baby must have’s so I decided to share (and to serve as a reminder to myself for the future).  The first is a list of things I had never seen or heard of before having a baby that I received as baby gifts, and have loved!

1. Aden and Anais swaddlers.  I love these because they are breathable.  In those first weeks especially I was so nervous, and these helped relieve some of that.  I still use these to cover Brant up at night in the crib. 

2. NoseFrida.  When my friend Sarah first sent this I was so confused, and then a little grossed out.  However, the first night Brant couldn't breathe from congestion I whipped this thing right on out.  I like it because I feel like I can control it more than a bulb, and I know I'm getting something as gross as it may be.

3. Fresh food feeder.  The intent of these are for babies to be able to self feed themselves fruit.  I have been putting ice in it for Brant, and he loves it.  It is great for teething!

4. Arm and Hammer bags for the diaper bag.  I have used these like crazy.  We are always on the go, and it never fails we get the worst diapers while we are out.  These are great to put the diapers in if you have to leave them in the car or diaper bag.  They are scented so you can't smell even the worst diapers.

5. This rattler....I know this seems random, but it is absolutely his FAVORITE toy.  It will calm him down 9 out of 10 times.  I'm not sure if it is the noise or that he can easily hold on to it, but it has been amazing.

 There are several other items I consider MUST have's that I will share later.  Thank you friends for these wonderful gifts.