Amazed

One of my favorite college courses was developmental psychology. A good chunk of the course focused on babies and their developmental stages. I found it fascinating then, and I find it even more so now. The human body never ceases to amaze me, and the process of pregnancy, childbirth, and now watching Will grow makes me truly appreciate it all. I'm amazed when I compare pictures or think about all of the many milestones babies go through.

Here is Will in his carseat at one month vs. 7 months

Will at 3 months vs. 7 months. Same stroller, almost the same scale, but BIG change!

 

Long overdue update

He knows what to do, but forgets to tip it upward to get a drink

I realize it’s been quite awhile since I did a true written update, so let me go back in time a bit.  In June, we went to Destin – an annual family tradition that I look forward to all year.  Will was a great traveler and only cried the last few minutes of both 5+ hour drives.  He loved “swimming” in the pool and showed no fear at all in the water.  He wasn’t as impressed by the beach, but he sure liked that pool.  Unfortunately, he didn’t get to get in too much after the first full day.  Brian and I could tell that Will wasn’t his happy-go-lucky self, and judging by the low-grade fever and the never ending drool facet, we concluded that teething had officially begun.  Because our little man didn’t feel good, most of our time was spent chilling out in the condo.  Thanks to Brian and Mom, I did get a little solo beach time, but it was definitely a different kind of trip than previous years.  Even though he didn’t feel good, Will still had plenty of attention from his Grandmonty, cousins, aunts, and uncles.  Here is a picture of our whole crew.  With the exception of any future children Brian and I may have, the rest of the crew is complete.  Will has 8 first cousins, ranging in age from 3 years to 18! 

     

       After our Destin trip, Will and I headed to Louisiana to his Grandmonty’s house.  Although Will and Alex were the only men there, they managed to put up with all the estrogen.  I can only imagine that in a year or two, the girl cousins will coerce Will into trying on some of the costumes they dig out of the box every year.  It should make for some good embarrassing pictures to show future girlfriends!  Will still felt bad in Louisiana, but he did well nevertheless and stayed on his normal schedule. 

            Brian joined us in Destin, but he didn’t go to Louisiana.  By the end of the week, he was eager to see us (ok, well mostly Will, but I think he may have missed me a tiny bit too J.  As soon as I pulled in the driveway and opened the garage, he came out to get the carseat and see his little boy.  My little creature of habit was happy to be home, and after a pediatrician’s visit, he felt much better and got rid of the pesky cough he had developed in Florida.  Since our travels, we have enjoyed being at home.  Home is definitely Alabama now, and while I like visiting Louisiana and Mississippi, I am always so glad to be back. 

Will is now seven months old, and it seems like we hit a new milestone every few days.  It’s all going by so quickly!  He’s sitting pretty well on his own, and while he doesn’t stay sitting up 100% of the time, he isn’t content just to lie back anymore.  For example, he won’t lie against the back of his baby tub anymore.  He has to be sitting up to be content.  We tried one bath in the big tub (pics in last update), but it’s still easier to bathe him in his baby tub. 

He isn’t crawling yet, but he’s starting to raise his bottom in the air and roll around more.  He “creeps” a little and is a skwirmy wormy when he wants to be.  No matter how far down in the crib I put him, he somehow wiggles up to where his head is in the very top corner.  We need to drop the crib mattress down soon, as I’m sure he’ll be pulling up soon.  I was pulling myself up to standing when I was 6 months old, so Will doesn’t seem quite as ambitious as his mommy about getting mobile.  This is fine with me, as it gives me a little more time to complete my baby proofing.

Mealtime is always fun, as Will loves to eat and rarely dislikes anything.  Recently, we’re tried yogurt (Yobaby).  He LOVES it.  He’s been on antibiotics lately for his red throat and to prevent him from catching Brian’s flu, so we figured it was a good time to start yogurt.  I’ve also started feeding him mashed bananas and some unseasoned table food like mashed-up baked potato.  He still likes his babyfood sweet peas, carrots, sweet potato, green beans, and pretty much any kind of fruit.  The only thing he’s hated was fresh mashed avocado.  I read that it’s a good first food for babies, so I gave it a try.  Maybe one day he’ll like it in guacamole, but for now, he’s not a fan.  I noticed about a week ago that he was randomly imitating me chewing throughout the day, so I decided to give puffs and cheerios a try.  He gobbled them up, watching me carefully as I chewed and following my lead.  Now he just has to master feeding them to himself!  He tries so hard, but they usually end up on the floor (much to Rocky and Mick’s delight).  He’ll pick it up, have it in his hand, and have the hand up to his mouth.  Somehow though, he can’t quite seem to get it in before it falls to the floor.  I’ll continue to feed him some each day until he gets the hang of it. 

Other new things: we’re beginning a “mommy & me” water class Wednesday.  Will loved the pool so much that I thought he’d enjoy it.  It’s not a swimming class, but a pre-swim class designed for infants 6 months to two years.  Hopefully we’ll meet some people in the class.  I’m also taking Will with me to “Strollerstrides,” a stroller fitness program for moms (http://www.strollerstrides.com/index.php).  It’s a bit slow attendance-wise since it’s summer, but I’m going anyway.  The workout is great!  I’ve only been for one week, but I think it’ll help me tone up.  It’ll be nice once I’m used to it though.  For now, my arms feel like they’re going to fall off when I’m done.  The program alternates various cardio with strengthening exercises with tension bands and weights.  We also do ab work at the end.  It’s good for me, because I’m not a self-motivated exerciser.  So what does Will think of it?  He loves it!  He has a group of women singing kid songs to him and talking to him adoringly.  Of course, he bats his baby blues at them and smiles – such a little flirt. 

Yes, Will knows how to make people adore him, especially his Dada.  Will is learning a new tactic to make even his tough-guy dad beam with joy – he throws in random “Dadadada” in his babble.  Sure, he doesn’t know what he’s doing, and he doesn’t say it directly to Brian, but it gives us an idea of what it’ll sound like when he DOES know what he’s saying.  Ah, it’s simply awesome.  Brian’s been sick for several days and not able to hold or play close with Will.  It’s been hard on Brian, but I know that Will has cheered him up a lot.  Mr. William is also giggling a lot these days.  Things that make him laugh include: me proclaiming enthusiastically that he’s a “stinky monkey,” getting his belly, tickling his feet or his neck, and sometimes, just laughing at him makes him reciprocate.  This is truly a great age.  He’s so much fun, he’s able to entertain himself for short periods of time, and yet he’s not into everything YET.  I love it.  I don’t want to keep him little forever, but I wish I could slow down the clock a bit. 

Oh, and one more milestone, the first tooth is coming in.  Will has been showing teething signs for ages now, and I've been feeling his gums every day expecting to feel something.  Finally, on the bottom front, I felt a little sharp tooth yesterday.  

For the final picture of the night, here's a pre-Will, VERY pre-Will, photo of his momma and dad.  This was taken TEN years ago in 1999 at a Rhyme's electronic Christmas party. Thanks to Susan Rhymes for posting it.  We look so young!  We WERE so young!  Until next time, love from the Noble household.  

New Pictures

Can it really be that our little boy is 7 months old? 

The pics. above and below are of Will's first bath by himself in the "big" tub.  I think for now, he would just as rather sit in his whale baby tub.

Will in his monkey towel.  I'm a sucker for a cute baby in a hooded towel!

I plan to do a long blog later, but just in case I can't, Will wants to be sure to wish his Grandmonty a Happy Birthday.  

June flew by!

I know that I'm behind on my written updates, but things have been busier than usual in the Noble household. I promise a long update in the near future including a rundown of our Destin and Louisiana trips. Until then, here are some new pictures of Will from this week. He looks so big!  It's hard to believe my baby will be 7 months old tomorrow!  

Still enjoying the jeep walker!  I love his expression in this first one.  

Typical Will these days, pulling off his socks and chewing on his fingers!

Trying to wear a baseball hat like his daddy, but it's still a little too big

Taken at Grandmonty's, sitting up fairly well now.

Will in Destin before the teething made him feel bad

Love this one - what a funny little sleeping position!