15 months

E is growing up...sadly, there is no doubt about it.

Oh, the beautiful, curly blonde hair...so much he is mistaken for a girl quite a bit. 

I can't cut it...I just can't.

In the last 3 months, he's become so independent! Along with that, the brother's are playing together more and more, and it makes me so happy to watch their bond really start to grow. E would rather feed himself, and he will make his own choices...thank you very much. Lucky for us, he chooses to eat just about everything! Four molars decided to come in at once, so we had one cranky baby for a short time. The tooth count so far is 10 with a few others still on their way (according to the doc). It never ceases to amaze me how much is happening in those tiny little bodies all at once.

peek-a-boo from his booster seat - no more high chairs here!

E is definitely learning to express himself and you can tell he's picking up on what works and what doesn't. He has thrown a couple of full blown tantrums...throwing toys and himself...and I just can't help but giggle when he does it. Thankfully, he's learning that one DOESN'T work.

 His focus seems to have been on his gross motor skills lately (since he's almost running at this point), so his speech took a back seat. We are keeping an eye on his lack of verbal communication, and spending more time reading books to give him a boost, but we're really not worrying about it yet. There is no doubt he is understanding what we say and can follow simple direction. E just doesn't have much to say at this point.

The doctor's visit included a couple of shots and of course, a measure of weight and height. Here's where E is at 15 months.

32 in tall  - 77th percentile

That's up an inch and a half in 3 months! Again, I am just amazed...

22 lbs. 5.5 oz. - 18th percentile

Gained less than a pound despite eating everything in sight!

Still looks like he might be a tall and skinny Witherspoon after all.

what a year!

12 months

This baby is sweet...

...from his hands...

...to his feet.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Along with this milestone, comes a doctor's appointment (yeah!) with shots (boo!). All told though, the doctor is pleased with E in all aspects.  He engages in the world around him, he eats what he should, and is eager to get moving! So, at 1 year old, E's measures in at...

Weight - 21 lbs. 9.5 oz

33rd percentile

Length - 30.5 in

75th percentile

11 months

2 more teeth

holding your own bottle

splashing in the tub

holding on tight to every little thing...including mulch

finally letting mommy sleep

holding your own & trying to keep up with your brother

mimicking everyone

curly blonde hair

standing on your own...some

figuring it all out & turning into quite the little boy with those dirty knees

pbtttt!

10 months

This month you started imitating, and it might just be the sweetest thing I've ever seen. It is adorable to see you stick out your tongue, squint your eyes and play peek-a-boo...with one eye.  You imitate almost any sound your big brother makes. I love to see you interact with everyone around you...especially your brother, even if he is less than receptive to your attention at this point.

You have an expansive palette including a few surprises...fish? tomato?  Still, there hasn't been a thing you don't like.  There are quite a few meals you enjoy puree-free these days.  On a sadder note, you gave up nursing completely this month so we are using formula until you turn one.  We are fortunate to have been able to do it as long as we did, but I can't say that mommy isn't just a little happy to have her body be her own again.

There has been huge growth in your motor skills.  You army crawl about 50% of the time, and just hands and knees the other 50%.  You are skilled at pulling up and are quick to do it...even on a flat wall.  You'll stand, unassisted, if you don't know you're doing it for a short period of time.  Distraction is key here. I've also witnessed some "cruising" around the couch with the right inspiration.

You love to play!  All M has to do is show you how to "use" a toy and you do it...or at least try. It amazes me that you know what to do with M's microphone...and his drum sticks...and his blocks.  Did I mention that you love your brother's toys much more than your own?  I think we could get rid of all the baby toys here, and you wouldn't notice.  Your jumperoo has become more of a swing for you.  It's quite a sight to watch you appear and disappear from around the corner...big smiles and all!

gee...wonder who might be on the couch???

9 months

 Our little E...you've grown so much in the last month!  

(yes, despite my valiant efforts with the sunblock, E has a farmer's tan)

Eating - You love it all so far!  Mommy is still making your baby food, with the exception of when we go out.  We started working in some texture and you are receiving it quite well.  Of course, Cheerios are your favorite snack... We were given the go ahead to add yogurt to your diet and while I think the cold temperature shocks you at first, you do like it.  It took some experimenting on mommy's part, but we have finally found a sippy cup you don't reject.  You drink some water out of them on the really hot days and you've even started getting excited when you see some formula being prepared.  Yes...formula...it appears that mommy just isn't making what you require anymore, so we're having to supplement a little bit.

Playing - You are so fast!  You still army crawl to get where you're going, and you go EVERYWHERE!  A favorite game of yours is to empty out boxes and containers of toys.  Our living room becomes a sea of toys in no time!  You've recently taken to carrying small items around.  In fact, it almost seems to calm you to have something in your hands.  Maybe you would enjoy having a love...mommy will have to work on that.  You really love the swings at the playground. When we play outside, you pull grass, examine it closely and then pull some more.  In fact, if mommy takes it out of your hands, you snatch more up in what seems like quite a little huff.  Thankfully, you don't seem too interested in putting everything in your mouth yet.  M always has to be in your sights and you love to play with him and his toys...even if he doesn't seem to feel the same way.  He makes you laugh hard and smile even harder. & that makes mommy and daddy the happiest of all.

Milestones - You've been pulling up to stand anywhere and everywhere you can...on people, couches, tables, toys. & you've finally figured out how to sit yourself up. You are learning quickly how to express yourself and there is real objection when something is taken from you (whether you should have it or not).  You pass out kisses and like to rub foreheads (as weird as that may sound) to show your affection for someone.  You're working new consonants into your "vocabulary" every day and you smile all the time...mommy's favorite.

Sleeping - Well, this is still a pretty inconsistent part of your life, but...oh well.  I think that's really all I can say about it at this point.  You're only small once and I do like some of the quiet time you and I can share at 5:00am.  That's what I'm supposed to say, right?  You share a room with M now and you don't seem to interrupt each other's sleep, but we all still wouldn't mind if you decided to sleep all night...every night.  That being said, you ARE a champion napper, so that's something...

Doctor's appointment -

28.5 inches long

79th percentile

18 lbs. 13.5 oz

24th percentile

While I know I don't...I feel compelled to talk about the fact that E only gained 10oz in 3 months.  Both myself and our doctor were surprised at this minuscule gain.  I can assure you that E eats...and he eats healthy, nutritious food...3 meals, plus nursing/formula, & snacks. With that established, our doctor will still be keeping an eye on his weight and making sure his blood levels are just right when his 1 year appointment comes around.  It is possible that his true body proportions are starting to emerge.  Long and lean would not be out of the realm of possibility here with those Witherspoon genes...

Until next month! I should probably get going on the big party planning...yes?

8 Months

You completed our family 8 months ago today, and you have brought us joy each and every day...as cheesy as that sounds. You love to pass out kisses these days and make squeaky noises with your bottom lip.  It really is adorable.  Your feet are just the right amount of chubby and your eyes are soooo blue.  I noticed this month that your blonde, yes blonde, hair really filled in and you look like a little man.

You can sit all on your own now and have figured out how to gently get yourself in position to crawl...instead of just falling into it.  There are a lot less jumps from mommy and "thuds" around the house...at least for now.  I say "for now" because you are loving to stand these days...with daddy's fingers, propped against something...whatever works.  It is only a matter of time.

Somehow, you seem to know the toys that are NOT for you (read, your brothers') and you go after them with great excitement.  This, only to be scooped up right before you get to it.  That must be really frustrating.  If you ARE lucky enough to get to it first, you snatch it up with a super-grip and almost seem to cackle with laughter.  It is just about too cute to take the toy in question away, but not to worry, you are sure to let us know your objections to our actions.

Let's talk about food.  You cut 4 teeth this month!  It was much more obvious with you that this was happening (read, loss of sleep and some general crankiness) than it was with your big brother.  You cut a top one first and the other three all popped through within a week.  Bottles are still not for you, but at least you don't cry when daddy tries to give you one anymore.  Instead, you just play with it and make a mess...and that's okay.  Speaking of messes, you eat three meals a day in your highchair and I can't think of anything I've made that you haven't liked.  That is much more than I can say for your brother...he doesn't like anything I make these days.   but I digress...

Sleep...geez, does mommy ever miss it.  Sleeping through the night is mostly hit but sometimes a miss, and those nights, I honestly think it depends on what unbelievable position you've managed to get yourself into in your crib.  Just one of the many ways you are so different from your brother.

Let's not forget to tell you about how much you adore your big brother.  You cannot take your eyes off of M for even a second if he's in the room with us.  You will learn everything from him and he will always take care of you.  Even though he might not show it too much right now, he loves you too and is very excited that you will soon be "big enough to play with me."

Our family is lucky to have you in our lives.  It is an amazing feeling to watch you and your relationships with others in the family grow.

We love you more...
mommy, daddy, and big brother

7 Months 

E had a pretty serious day today so the smiles weren't as free as they usually are, but we got some good pictures anyway.  There's a lot going on in his little world and there's a need to process, I suppose.

I was told before E was born that time will seems to go faster with the second child.  They.were.right.  I can't believe E is seven months old already!  To commemorate this day, he decided to show us that he could army crawl to one of M's toys...video to come.  It's only a matter of time now.  It is safe to say that we were not ready for this.

We're still working on sitting up, but honestly, he just prefers being on his tummy.  He rolls (and now "crawls") to get where he needs to go.  As I said in a previous post, E talks a lot.  He is able to easily let us know what he wants, and is also pretty good at letting us know what he doesn't want.  He still can't keep his eyes off his big brother and M is really starting to fall into his role quite well.  M often asks if E is big enough to play with him yet.  I'm afraid it won't be long.

These pictures are getting increasingly harder to take with Mr. Grabby Hands, here.

I'm making all of E's baby food, and he's happy to eat what I'm making.  He enjoys his meals so much that I think I may have to start undressing him when it comes time because he is unbelievably messy!  The bib gets flipped up onto his face...fingers in his mouth...on his legs...grabbing his feet...in his hair...all.over.his.face.  There has been more than one evening when he received an unplanned bath after dinner.

Teeth.  There aren't any showing up yet, but I tend to think they're on their way.  He's gumming everything and the drool flows freely...  One thing is for sure, though, this boy is ticklish.

 

He's active, curious, and oh.so.sweet.  We love this boy!

6 Months

At 6 months old, E spends his play time smiling, chewing and rolling all over everywhere.  He reaches for cats and toys and seems to really enjoy playing with them...yes, both of them.  He pushes up to straighten his arms and is working on getting that little bottom up in the air enough to inch himself forward.  His fingers and feet are interesting to nibble on as well as any fabric he can get his thumb underneath.  And let's not forget the jumperoo...watching those little legs jump would bring a smile to anyone's face.

He is in love with his brother and is guaranteed to smile at him any time he is spotted.

Nighttime continues to be a little bit of a struggle.  E is officially a full blown tummy-sleeper.  Once he overcame the hurdle of being able to roll back onto his back, he started running into the rails of the crib.  Fuss because you just bumped your head.  So, the bumpers went back in.  Problem solved, right?  Sadly, no...  Now he rolls and rolls until he's pretty much stuck way up in the corner of the crib.  Fuss because you are stuck.  I'm just saying...if it isn't one thing, it's another.  As a point of reference, M was put to bed on his back and woke up in the same exact spot the next morning.  Geez...these two are so different.

He wakes at least once at night to eat.  One time he really is hungry.  Any others, and I'm pretty sure he's just checking in.  I think we need to work on breaking a couple of habits, but it's hard to deprive yourself of sleep to "teach" and comfort when you are already soooo tired.  We'll get it worked out soon enough.  I mean, it stinks to be sleep deprived, but when you get "called" to cuddle with this face...kinda sweet.

This brings us to food.  We are still nursing and will continue to do so along with a hearty bowl of cereal every night (which, BTW, does nothing to help the night waking).  Just this week, we started introducing pureed foods at lunch which received rave reviews, despite what the sour faces might say.

As M would say, "E is just growing up too fast."  He's right.

His doctor appointment is tomorrow...