August fun...

Tot rider 2 cruising (or a place to sit while mama folds laundry!)

Brothers in the truck bed 

Discovered the "kid iPads" in the apple store...now his new favorite store at Northpark!

  Very serious about his sticks. He's always been into music but I think this month instruments and "playing band" became....obsessive? Lets just say that's now a reward---"if you make a good choice and x, we can play band when we get home!". Band= singing in his room with maracas, a microphone, the rock band guitar, and the truck bed becomes the "drums". And we all participate...Isaac even has a shaker!

  

Lots o time at the kc pool!

Love them and matching them ;)

Loves to "play dames on daddy's phone". Mommy does not have fun games in her phone....on purpose!

 We love when Mimi comes over to play! Isaac loves to stand.

Meeting Mr.Nelson, the trash truck driver, was a monumental experience. Carter knows Mondays are trash days and looks forward to seeing them every week. When they are off schedule...oh, that's not good for any of us!! ( "no go to gym! Trash trucks still coming!"..) 

 First time in a big swing! He loved it!

  

Loves the mum mums. Carrots? Not so much!

 

Love that they can bathe together now! They love it!

First (of many!) flowbee haircuts!

Went to Perot museum a few times....keeping us cool in the heat although apparently I just took pics the 3 mins we were outside!

Little longhorn ready for his first gameday!

7 months!

EAT:

Little man loves his milk but is not into baby food. I think he's going to be mr. independent. He loves to feed himself, but doesn't quite have the skills. If mum mums had any nutritional value, we would be golden. However, he wants nothing from a spoon. I've therapized him with nuk brushes and behavioral reinforcements, even had a few "fun" days with "eating utensil play" and oh he will play, but as soon as I try to put that spoon near his mouth he closes those lips so tight and just grunts at me. He will put a spoon in his own mouth but wants nothing on it--not even breastmilk, which the boy never refuses! I will mash up bananas and put them on his tray and he will get smearings in his mouth. Today he tried to eat a banana whole, so I scraped some off and he will eat from my fingers but not a spoon. Grrr. I have to remember he's only 7 months and really shouldn't be getting much baby food anyway, but I'm playing the "movies" considering this is my occupation. He WILL be eating by 12 months and not nursing forever, right?! Speaking of nursing (and for my own personal account of when this happened), my supply did have some issues this month so I took him in for weight checks. He wasn't gaining but wasn't losing, but also had a little cold thrown in there. I'm not too worried, as my supply seems to be back up (and I'm on pump #2!), but I did go through a lot of my frozen stash. I'm not at all against giving him formula, but do have a 'lil mama guilt as Carter was breastfed (got breastmilk, did not nurse past 9 mos) until a year and Isaac has a helmet which is a whole other mama guilt story...

As far as milk, eats 5-6x/day, 6 oz bottles with the 8 oz prize egg at night.

SLEEP:

Pretty consistently wakes up at 6 to eat, goes back to sleep until 7:30. Naps 8:30-9:30, 12-3, 4:30-5:30.  This is his preference. He does get toted around to playdates and appointments (and school!), so still gets quite a few car naps. Will not nap in his carseat anymore :(. Still wears the sleep sack. Helmet goes off in 1-2 weeks, will see if that changes sleeping habits at all.

PLAY:

Sits unassisted independently for 45+ mins at a time. Loves his johnny jumper in the doorway. Loves to hold onto your hands and stand. Still very smiley and happy but does not like to be left alone. Carter is good at playing with him so I can go to the bathroom or unload groceries without tears. Started school this past week on Tuesdays, he did great and napped 2 hours! No separation anxiety yet which is nice--at church I can nurse him in between services and take him right back in...that likely won't last much longer but it's nice for now! Sits in his bath chair and loves bathtime with brother--will grab at toys, put them in his mouth and watch Carter's antics. He really does love Carter and I must admit, Carter is very entertaining to watch :). He LOVES to be outside and I can't wait for the weather to cool off + helmet removed!

HEALTH: 

Bottom 2 teeth are in, seems to get fussy on the day teeth break through but otherwise teething isn't that big of a deal. Did get a little cold and lingering cough about a week ago....the cough is still here, makes me wonder if he's going to have asthma issues?

Dear Sweet Isaac,

Your smile will light up the room. We go visit Grandma Sue at the nursing home and you will smile at EVERYONE that gives you a glance and it absolutely makes their day. You are true baby therapy. You can be fussy sometimes at night but when Daddy walks in the door you give him the biggest grin and get so happy. Daddy calls you his "prince" with your helmet as your crown. You are starting to become Mr. Independent already--not wanting to be snuggled or held, you want to be put on the floor so you can play. However, you don't want to be put in the jumperoo because you know that means I'm leaving you to go do something and you do not like to be my yourself! You still cry when your milk is taken away, but want nothing to do with solid foods. I love your sweet little spirit and pray the joy that you have right now continues throughout your little life. You bring so much joy and light to our home. Love you sweet boy, Mama

Happy half birthday Isaac!

6 month stats:

Weight: 16 lb, 5 oz (30%)

Length: 28 inches (94%)

Head Circ: 17 inches (30%)

Our sweet littlest guy is half a year old. Man, how time flies! In true fashion....

EAT:

Typically eats 5x/day, making himself a variable schedule of roughly 6, 9,12, 3:30, 6:30-7. Pretty much nurses most of the time, but does get a 5.5 ounce bottle for daytime feeds when I'm away or we're out and always gets a 7-7.5 oz bottle at night. Still FREAKS out when food is taken away from him. I mean, all out MAD CRY with turning red and holding his breath. This typically lasts about 1-2 minutes and then he realizes he's full and is back to his happy self!

PLAY:

Loves his jumperoo and tot rider 2. Loves to watch Carter's crazy antics. He is putting EVERYTHING in his mouth. Really likes to be eye level--gets mad if you lay him on the ground, and will immediately roll to belly to try to get more eye level. Is still such a happy baby, smiling ear to ear when anybody looks at him. I think we may have another social little guy on our hands :). He also loves music and if I hold his hands, he will bounce his little legs and squeal. No babbling yet, but lots of coos. I love that he wakes up cooing after naps. He hates being put in his carseat, getting food taken away, or being sleepy and not in his bed. He's definitely more active now--always kicking his legs, jumping, wanting to "stand"--does not just snuggle or sit in the lap. This is why I think we went from 75% to 30% in weight--the boy burns his calories (kinda like the other boys in our family!). 

SLEEP:

Got attached to his sleepsack while we were in Austin. He doesn't even have to wear it, but uses it as his "chincha"--likes to hold it up to his mouth, smell it, and roll to his side to fall asleep. Still likes white noise. Pretty much takes 3 naps/day but many days will car nap in the morning while we are out and about then take a longer nap when we get home. Ideally, he will wake up to eat at 6, go back to sleep until 7. Then nap 8-845, 12-230, 430-530, and go to bed for night at 730. Again, it's hit or miss because he's outgrowing the nap in the carseat phase, but Carter likes to get out--so, we usually do our outings in the morning which helps them coordinate afternoon naps. The boy loves his sleep and does get fussy when he's sleepy--kinda like his Mama :).

HEALTH:

First tooth (bottom left) broke through right at 5 months! Doing awesome with his helmet and love that his little head is getting rounder in the back and thinner in the front. His last appt told us 4-5 more weeks. 

Dear Sweet Isaac Boy,

Oh, how you give me the biggest grin when I come to get you in the mornings. You love attention and love for anyone to look at you. We can be at the grocery store and anytime anyone looks at you, you just give them the biggest smile! You are doing awesome with your helmet, it doesn't seem to phase you at all. I know sometimes you must be so HOT, but as long as you are rested and happy, you don't let the heat phase you at all. You are such a trooper going to all kinds of activities with your big brother--you love to watch the big kids play and it won't be long until you are right there with them! You bring our family so much joy and your smile permeates our home. I pray your joyful spirit stays strong! Love you my sweet sweet baby doll!

Love,

Mama

Spoiled

We were all spoiled this past week. Drove with Mimi to San Antonio and spent a couple of days with Amanda and cousins before heading to Austin to be spoiled by Grandpa and Grandma Jo. Caleb and I snuck away for a night at the 4 Seasons and out on the town for our anniversary. I think we were both amazed at how relaxed and refreshed we felt after 20 hours of "us" time! Ill let the pics show the spoiling...

5 months

Love this sweet little boy. I'm going to make it brief for my own records:

Nursing mostly but will take a 6 ounce bottle every 2.5-3 hours during the day and 7 ounces at night. Discovered that he doesn't like his feet cold and like to hold onto a blanket, but will smother himself if given a blanket, so now sleeps in a sleep sack. Napping is inconsistent---sometimes 2 naps/day, others time 5 little naps. Sweet boy gets toted around so many times he gets a nap in the carseat and only 1-2 naps at home. He doesn't seem to mind the helmet at all and 1 week in I've been keeping it on him atleast 23 hours a day. He sleeps about 10-11 hours at night, will nurse around 6 am then go back to sleep for another hour or so. He really is so happy and smiles so much. He's into lights/sounds toys. If I put him on his back he will roll to his stomach within seconds but many times get mad because he wants to be back on his back. He needs help about half of the time getting back to his back. He is starting to put things in his mouth, including his feet. Yesterday Isaac was on the floor and Carter was playing in the living room, I hear as I'm doing dishes "don't put feet in mouth Isaac. That nasty. Put food in mouth". Isaac loves to watch Carter and loves to be around people. He coos and smiles so much. Love this little boy so much!

I

The beginning of the doc band journey...

Today was the day....the day that I dreaded the past 2 weeks but when it came, (as Carter would say), "no big deal". 

I always thought I overreacted to "therapy" things. I forget that there is a very wide range of normal and feel like if my kid isn't doing something before or right at average then something is wrong. Sharing an office and working so closely with PTs and OTs I learned a lot of their tricks. 

So, it wouldn't surprise many people that I arrive at check ups with a very long list of questions/concerns for the pediatrician. Now, I've learned 2.5 years into Mommy world that pediatricians are SO different and what mine says may be totally opposite of my best friend. However, Caleb and I both agree that our pediatrician is really great for us because he is very laid back which is a good balance to my uptightness--my kids should be super healthy and on target or I'm doing something wrong mentality (which the Lord is teaching me a lot about by the way..). I remember asking at all of Carter's early check ups about head shape thinking he had a flat head and my pedi saying it's fine. So, again, I think Isaac's head is a little flat and expect the "it's fine" answer and he comes back with....yeah, it is pretty flat. I would recommend getting it checked out.

Enter mama guilt. Is Isaac's head flat because of letting him sleep in the swing all the time? Was I sacrificing my comfort for his--because I got all that good sleep, this poor baby is going to be stuck in a helmet 23 hours a day for who knows how long? Oh, it was bad. I was sick at my stomach for about 2 weeks and didn't realize it at the time, but looking back--my stomach is always affected by stress. I should know better. I did SO much tummy time. He is STRONG. He is symmetrical. His neck muscles are not tight at all. He really just has a flat head! Is it because of swing sleeping? I'll never know...it could definitely play a factor, but there are many other factors as well. I have to remind myself that if I even thought swing sleeping would cause a flat head and possibility for needing a helmet, I would have nipped it in the bud. Honestly, I was only hesitant to move him into his crib because I thought we were creating a sleeping monster that could only sleep when being swung like a pendulum. His head shape never even occurred to me until the pedi mentioned it at his 4 month appt. 

Emotionally, I was feeling super guilty but had to put emotions aside and look at numbers. Long story short, we got numbers. His brachycephaly (flatness) was in the moderate range--but in closer to severe than mild moderate range. I probably researched over 10 hours on the internet, finding research studies (which unfortunately there are minimal long term studies because of back to sleep really starting in 98) , and emailing pictures of Isaac's head and reports to literally 6 different pediatric PTs to get their opinons. I prayed and prayed for wisdom. I talked to multiple Moms that had gone through it and although it was unanimous "I'm so glad I did it and it really wasn't a big deal at all"--to me, it is my baby and a big deal. Insurance will cover it, so our part is minimal. Caleb could see both sides, so he suggested we see what our pediatrician thought.  So, I made an appt with the pediatrician and took him the report and sweet little Isaac and one look at the report Dr. came back with "no question about it--get a helmet."

Okay. Done. 2 weeks later little man got his helmet today and I have to say he looks pretty darn cute :). My crafty friend is helping me bling it up next week. So far, it really is no big deal and he's handling it like a champ. Unfortunately, he does sweat a ton, so I'm hoping his body will adjust or we will just be spending the next couple of months indoors. Carter is pretty much oblivious of the helmet and just knows it "cost a lot of money" so he can't play with it :). 

Here are some before and helmet day 1 pics: