baby – Page 2 – The Merfett

Charly is 6 Months

February 9, 2016 The Merfett

Half.A.Year.Old.

Weight: 19.3 lb (75%) and 28.5″ (98%). He’s been so active this month so I’m not too surprised that his weight is a little down. But he’s still eating well and nursing for long periods, undistracted. Doctor said everything looked good!

Health: Two bottom teeth! The first came through on New Years day. The second one followed a few days later. Teething just like Riley, but he seems to handle the pain much better. We all had a cold this month, lots of runny noses and congestion.

Sleep: We’re SO close! I was really hoping he’d had doubled his birth weight by this point, but not yet. The days we hang out at home and het gets really solid naps are awesome. He’ll nap from 1.5 – 3 hours depending on how long his morning nap is. Sometimes he’ll take 2, 1.5 – 2 hour naps and then a 45min evening cat nap. Bedtime is 7pm. And I’ll dream feed him between 9:30pm and 10pm before I got to bed. Some nights he’ll sleep through the night until 7am/8am. Other nights he’ll wake at 2am or 4am to eat, and then go back to sleep. Because his night waking is random I’m sure it’s because he’s hungry. I typically let him fuss for 5min before I go down to feed him, just to make sure he’s actually hungry. He’s falling asleep on his own, and sometimes I’ll have to sit in the room until he calms down, or “sush” until he’s relaxed.

Nursing: Going well, I’ve gone back to feeding him on both sides, just to make sure he’s really getting full feedings. Sometimes he takes both, sometimes not. Teething has made way for biting, not cool. But we’re still doing ok. He started solids this month. I can’t keep food way from him! If he’s sitting on my lap he’s clawing at my plate to get handfuls. He loves sitting in the high chair during meal times and will eat anything I give him. So far he’s had: avocado, banana, broccoli, blue berries, raspberries, green beans, sweet potato, carrots, red potatoes, Dave’s Killer Bread (toasted), yogurt, steak and pot roast. Meat is probably his favorite. Which makes sense, red meat was one of my major cravings when I was pregnant. Funny – since I was vegiterian when I was pregnant with Riley, how stuff changes! We’re doing Baby Led Weaning with him, like we did with Riley. It’s much less stressful the second time around. Plus, since I’m doing Whole 30 I have tons of BLW friendly food around. I haven’t offered him water yet – I was at target yesterday and didn’t find the sippy/straw cup I wanted.

What Charly is up to: We are for sure in the sweet spot. He’s happy and content. He’s sleeping and napping pretty well and can roll around to get to toys he wants to play with. I’m excited for him to sit up, soon I hope. He’s much more of a roller than Riley was. He’s so happy when we go in to get him after a nap, or when he wakes up in the morning. Watching him discover food has been really fun too. He’s generally a really happy, chill and content baby.

Still holding onto those blue eyes!

With his BFF

PostPartum: I had my Women’s Wellness exam this month, and all is well. I’ve still got like 18lbs to go before I’m back to my pre-pregnancy starting weight. I seem to be holding onto it longer than last time around. But I was lighter when I got pregnant, so maybe it’s all just the numbers. My tummy is still hanging out, and some weight around my hips…oh, and my nursing situation makes me hold extra weight up top. I have to get it together and get fitted for a new nursing bra. Even the ones I was wearing with Riley at this point are too snug. Just so dang expensive. But, for something I’ll be wearing for another year, probably justified. I’m not back to working out yet. I just can’t make time for it. I’m eating really well, and constantly packing and cleaning around the house so it’s not like I’m not active. I miss a traditional work out – and I’ll get back to it, this just isn’t the time.

Baby Gear: Lots of teething toys. Highchair. We just got a new to us Bob Double Stroller, never thought I would want one, but Riley still really likes the stroller. Ergo. His lovie (a bear) we call Lil’ Oso.

Thoughts: The coming weeks and months are going to be crazy. Like I was telling Kelly the other night – our life is so unbalanced. We don’t see each other very much because of how his schedule is, and that bothers us both. We’re looking forward to moving and getting more quality family time together. I try to take photos and videos of the kids, but it just doesn’t make up for the personal time. I can’t wait for weekend adventures and family dinners.

Family

Charly is 5 Months

January 5, 2016 The Merfett

It’s going so quickly!

Weight: 18lbs (95%) 4 month check up a few weeks ago. And he’s 26 1/2″ (98%)

Health: Got his first tooth on his 5th month birthday! He’s working on the second one now. Riley always got teeth in pairs, so I’m thinking he’ll be the same.

Sleep: We’re getting there, but these past few weeks have been rough. There was the 4 month sleep regression, and we made it through that. He really likes soothing with a pacifier, and I don’t think it’s a crutch at this point, because once he’s calm and drifts off to sleep and it pops out and he doesn’t wake up. I’ll let him keep it for a little while longer, and it’s been a big help getting him back to sleep with all the nighttime waking. He’s in more teething pain at night (less distractions) so that’s hard. We’re still swaddling him because he flails his arms and keeps himself awake. I’d like to start to transition him to one arm out, but each time I try he’s too active. I’ve been patting him on his tummy when he wakes after a 45min nap, to try to stretch them to 1.5 – 2 hours. He’s on a 2 nap plus 30min catnap in the evening schedule.

Nursing: Going well. Since he has a really sharp bottom tooth he’s started to bite a little which sucks. I remember that phase well with Riley. It passes, but it’s not fun. He’s still taking a bottle the few times we have a babysitter which is a huge difference from Riley. I’m SO thankful he’ll take a bottle. Kelly asked me the other day at what point I was completely comfortable nursing in public – and I had to think. I’ve been doing it for so long at this point (15.5 months with Riley and 5 months with Charly) so I don’t even really think about it anymore. It’s just another thing I do.

What Charly is up to: Rolling over! He rolled from Back to Tummy for the first time on New Years Day! Now he’s all about rolling. Grabbing toys. Chewing on everything he can get to. We had our first Christmas which was a blast, and a total blur. 2 kids at Christmas is so much fun, but also chaos. There’s just a lot going on. We also took a trip to San Diego to visit some special friends and went on the USS Midway. We’re in the “sweet spot” of babyness and I love it. He’s such a happy baby.

PostPartum: I feel good. I’m still not quite back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but I feel pretty good in my clothes. I’m cleaning up my eating this month after the holidays and a few too many sweets. And I still feel best when I eat Whole 30ish. I’m no where close to my former fitness. But there’s plenty of time for that. Being a mama to 2 little kids is taking a lot of time and energy, so I’m giving myself plenty of time to get back to a normal exercise routine. Might be making excuses, but I’m taking my sanity where I can get it ;)

Baby Gear: Sophie the Giraffe. Any and all teething toys. Bibs. Things that shake and rattle.

Thoughts: I’m so thankful and happy in this season of our lives. We’re healthy, and safe and just so blessed. I have no idea what the future holds for us, but right now everything is so good. And I want to savor it as long as possible. A friend pointed out the way Charly looks to me with this expression full of love and wonder. It’s the most prefect thing ever.

Family

Charly is 4 Months

December 7, 2015 The Merfett

It’s going so fast! He’s 4 months already!

Weight: 18lb (95%) and 26 1/2″ (98%) at his appointment today. Riley was similar at this age, but Charly is chunkier to me. Wearing 9mo and 12mo clothing. I pulled out a whole bunch of winter clothes from Riley and it’s cute to see Charly in the same things I remember Riley wearing around the holidays.

Health: We all got hit with a terrible head cold a few weeks ago, but Charly did the best. Yay for Breastfeeding and Antibodies. He’s started drooling a ton and chewing on his hands – so I know teething is just around the corner.

Sleep: We’re getting there – but it’s time for the 4 month sleep regression, so yay. I remember thinking all my hard work was coming undone with Riley at this age. But I know better now, and I’m just going to ride it out. He sleeps well at night, usually going down with me at 9:30/10pm and sleeping until 1 or 2 or 3am, eats once then up at 6am or so for another feeding and back to sleep. I’m much more relaxed with Charly’s sleep schedule, but I am looking forward to setting a consistent bedtime. I miss having some time to myself in the evening.

Nursing: He’s getting more distracted when he’s nursing, which was reflected in the slight percentage drop in his weight gain. I think I need to start nursing him in a quiet place, like his room, without distractions like Riley around. Sometimes he wakes up and eats well right away, other times he plays and just wants to smile and coo and I have to come back and feed him later. I’m more relaxed about nursing this time around, I rarely look at a clock to see when the last time he ate was, or how long he nursed for. He eats when he wakes up, and when he’s done I’m off to do other things.

What Charly is up to: Talking, making all kinds of sounds. Chewing on his hands. Drooling. Big smiles and giggles. Loves getting dressed and having his diaper changed. He’ll try to gnaw on his hands when you change his shirt, he love his hands. He’s really started to notice Riley and gets so excited when Riley talks to him or brings him a toy. He’s such a mellow baby, I’m so very lucky. He’s content to just hang on his blanket or in his chair between naps and feedings. We drove to AZ for Thanksgiving at my brother’s house and Charly was a champ in the car. Slept almost the whole time. He met Santa yesterday and had his picture taken.

Screen Shot 2015-12-02 at 2.31.51 PM — 4 month check up

Screen Shot 2015-12-02 at 2.31.59 PM — Meeting Santa

Get’s so excited when Big Brother pays attention to him

PostPartum: Clothes are starting to fit better, and I’m getting the itch to start working out again. But with the holidays and everything going on I’m just going to focus on eating well since I don’t have time for 2 kids, healthy eating, keeping the house right-side up, and Christmas stuff. Workouts can wait, I’m sure I could make time – but I’m just not into it for this season.

Baby Gear: Size 2 diapers. 9mo clothing. Nose Frida. Ergo. Bob Jogging stroller.

Thoughts: Time is flying. Some days are a blur of kids and diapers and feeding everyone. And sometimes I’m just so tired and mentally exhausted. But I’m trying so hard to enjoy it all, and take pictures and remember these days because they only happen once. I’m excited for Christmas and seeing the boys grow and interact with each other. Charly is such a sweet and happy baby, I’m so thankful for him. We’ve started calling him “Little Oso” for Little Bear :)