11 Months

The (not so) little fella is almost ONE! It's cliche, but time FLIES! I think it's going even faster this go 'round....probably because I know he's our last & I want to savor every single moment of having little ones around. Here's what the big guy has been up to this month!

*Beginning to wear 12 month clothing and size 2 shoes. He's still in a size 3 diaper

*He has 5 teeth with a 6th one cutting through...he has 2 on the bottom & 3 on the top! He's teething like a champ! Just some yucky diapers, a touch of crankiness, and a ton of drool!

*He began pulling up shortly after he began crawling. He cruises along the furniture really fast & I think he'll be walking any minute now.

*He loves his musical walker, wood blocks, activity cube, his toy phone, real phones & remotes, unplugging cords, and looking out the window.

*He is into EVERYTHING...and he gets to it FAST. You seriously cannot put him down for more than a second without him taking off & getting ahold of something. Even Ms. Cain says she can't walk away from him, ever. He's super fast and can reach things that you think are far enough out of reach. It's exhausting!

*He hates having to be still. You can forget about changing diapers or getting him dressed without breaking a sweat from him wriggling and rolling throughout the whole ordeal.

*He loves bath time and is all over the place in the tub...makes me nervous!

*As with all of our kiddos, he has many, many nicknames. The most common are: Bubber Boy, Bubbers, Bubs, Diddle Boy, Hey Diddle Diddles, Tubs, Tubber Bubs, Lijey, Buster, Buster Brown, Buster Boy, Turkey Turk, and Stinker Pot. ;) We throw in the occasional "Eli" too.

*We're slowly transitioning over to whole milk, so he's taking less and less formula. He's now getting whole milk with dinner and to sip on throughout the afternoon. He still takes a 8oz bottle in the morning & 2 at the sitter's and then a 4oz before bed. He's officially done with baby food and loves chicken nuggets, fish sticks, cheese, goldfish, graham crackers, pizza, quesadillas, green beans, banana and much more.

I seriously cannot believe he will be one so soon. It's bittersweet that they grow up so fast, but I don't take a single second for granted. We're blessed that all of our children are growing, developing, and thriving as they should be. Elijah, you bring so much joy to all of our lives and we can't wait to see what the future holds for you. Love you, bubber boy!

See? Into everything!

10 Months

Well, we are about 9 days away from your 11th "month day", but once again...better late than never?!

At 10 months you:

*Wear 9 months in shirts/onesies and a 6 & 9 in shorts. You can wear a size 2 in shoes, but you hate them so you never wear them.

*Still in a size 3 diaper

*Eats 4 or 5 six-ounce bottles a day and a baby food for breakfast & dinner. You LOVE the oatmeal & cereal baby foods and several of the fruit and/or veggies. We've tried moving to Stage 3, but you hate anything with a texture & spit out any pasta or meat, so I've given up. You are finally liking Puffs, Crunchies & things like french fries, so we're making progress!

*You are crawling everywhere! You went from barely even trying to crawl to crawling everywhere! I think you may have "army crawled" for 3 or 4 days, but then went straight to hands and knees crawling. And you are fast. Very fast.

*You still love your sisters, the animals, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, clapping, shaking your head "no", saying "Dada", blowing raspberries with your mouth and on my leg, your doggy paci & doggy lovie, giving fives, and being super happy & smiley all the time.

*We have spent a lot of time in the water this summer and you are doing pretty well with it. You usually fuss for a few seconds/minutes and then are perfectly fine and don't want to get back out! I think it's because it's always a bit cold at first & you don't like that one bit. We give you a paci & you quit fussing and all is fine with the world.

9 months

Elijah Chase is 9 months old! I guess it's time to start planning his 1st birthday party! ;) Here's what the little turkey has been up to this month:

*Wears mostly 9mo, but can still get away with wearing his 6mo stuff. He's still wearing his 3-6 month shoes

*Officially in a size 3 diaper...the same size as Livy. ha! Sounds funny, but Sophia only got up to a size 3 before potty training and both girls were in a 3 by 9 months, so he's right on track . However, I believe Elijah will be our first child to need a size 4 eventually!

*Not sure weight/height...his 9mo well check is next week, so I'll update later...one day....hopefully...

*Still eats 4 six-ounce bottles of formula a day and a couple things of baby food. I was still getting concerned because he wouldn't eat his 2nd thing of baby food most days. He also still isn't a fan of Puffs, yogurt melts, those baby wheels, or anything with texture! He even cried when I tried to give him mashed potatoes & french fries! I think we may be turning a corner, though...he gummed on a french fry the other day without crying about it so maybe we're making progress.

*He loves to spin around while sitting on his bottom and has begun to army crawl to get where he wants. He's been getting up onto all fours and rocking a lot, but hasn't "officially" crawled yet.

*He is full of personality! He loves to shake his head no, clap, say "yeah!", give "fives", give mommy kisses, says "dada", "noo", and "yeah". He is so smiley and happy about 97% of the time.

*Still a good sleeper! In bed around 7 and gets up around 6:30-7:30 now that we can sleep in a little for summer!

*We've been traveling a bit this summer (Branson, Wynnewood, etc) and he has been SO agreeable! He's done the car rides like a champ and was so sweet about being in his stroller so much while in Branson. We were so proud about what a big boy he was on our trips!

8 months

Well, I'm a bit closer to the actual "month-date" this time! The little chunker turned 8 months old on the 10th. I guess it's about time to start planning his first birthday...yikes!

At 8 months old, Elijah:

*Wears 6 month, 6-9 month, and 9 month clothing. He'll be solely in 9 month soon...he probably should be now, but I want to get some use out of the clothes we bought him thinking he'd still be in 6-9 month clothing! He can still wear the 3-6 month shoes, though.

*Wears a size 2 diaper but will most likely go up to a 3 when we buy more

*Eats four 8oz bottles of formula and 2 containers of baby food a day. He loves all of the oatmeal/cereal combinations, fruits, and most veggies. He likes most of the dinner blends, too, but there is one that he hates and I can't remember what that one is! Hope I don't accidentally buy it again...oops!

*Still has an aversion to eating anything solid or lumpy. He seriously gags and cries if you try to give him a Puff, or yogurt melt, or thick baby food, or anything that isn't extremely smooth. He cried when I took a tiny bit of Sophia's banana, smushed it on my finger, and put it in his mouth. To be honest, though, I'm really hoping this isn't a sign of something problematic...I really thought he'd be over this by now....

*He sits up like a champ and tries to reach anything and everything within a 5 foot radius of him. He went from not sitting up, to sitting up perfectly...barely any falling over or learning balance.

*He rolls around to get where he wants to go. He also has an extremely long wing-span...we really have to watch out because this boy can reach just about anything he sees.

*He is so smiley and laughy and adorable! Such an easy-going baby, very laid back, calm and happy....a complete joy to be around. He lets his sisters crawl all over him and he barely makes a peep...well, besides a laugh!

*Still only says "dada" and jabbers a little bit. He is trying to clap and wave/say "bye" but we're not quite there.

*He has turned into a side sleeper and I think it's so adorable! He goes to sleep around 7 pm and starts playing/cooing around 5:30 am but will often put himself back to sleep after a few minutes and not get back up until around 7 am.

*He now takes a "big bath" with the girls in the big tub. No more baby tub! They all think this is the best thing ever!

Found him like this one morning. He had started out facing the OTHER way at the OTHER end of the crib! That blanket immediately went in a drawer.

7 months

So, Mr. Eli is actually almost 8 months at this point, but here's what he was up to when he turned 7 months. Better late than never, right?!

*Weighs 17 lbs 6 oz and is 25 3/4 inches long ( I know this because he had his 6 month shots a few days before he turned 7 months ;)

*Wears 6 month clothing...and he is quickly beginning to fill those out. I think we'll be in 9 month clothes sooner than I expected!

*Loves food! He takes 5 six ounce bottles a day, eats a cereal/oatmeal with fruit baby food in the morning and a veggie or fruit for dinner. We've tried the Puffs and yogurt melts and he isn't a fan...he doesn't like the texture.

*He started sitting up unassisted the day he turned 7 months old. He does things at his own pace! He easily rolls over from back to front & front to back and can roll across the floor pretty quickly.

*He can say dada and jabbers a lot. He loves to shake his head side to side when you say nooo...and he's trying to say "noooo" while he does it...so stinkin' cute!

*He loves his jumparoo, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, his pacifier w/the dog attached, his sisters, his mommy (and daddy, too!), his toes, hitting his belly, and taking baths.

*He still sleeps pretty well. Eats a dinner around 5:30, a bottle around 6:30 and then bed around 7. He sleeps in his crib and will often go to sleep on his own in it. He sleeps through the night but wakes up pretty early: around 5:30 most days. He's pretty good about playing around in his crib and will sometimes find his pacifer and just go back to sleep after a few minutes. He takes a morning nap and a late afternoon nap....sometimes in his crib and sometimes in your arms.

*He is seriously the sweetest, easiest baby around. We are constantly being told how sweet he is and how laid back he is and how easy he is, and just how all-around good he is! He is SUCH a blessing!

Hopefully I'll write his 8 month stats closer to the actual date....which will be soon! ha!

Half a year already?!

Elijah Chase is already 6 months old! 

*At his 6mo well check on the 14th he weighed 16lb 3oz and was

*He's now wearing a size 2 diaper

*Beginning to wear 6mo clothing, although most of his 3-6 still fit.

*We began baby food when he just turned months old and he didn't take to it too well. He still pushed most of it out with his tongue so I put it away for a couple of weeks but he was just so interested in what we were eating so I tried again at about 5.5 months and he took right to it! He eats about half of a container of baby food before bed. So far he has liked: sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, and mixed fruit with cereal. He hated peas and mixed vegetables.

*Still takes about 5 six ounce bottles of formula a day; 1 in the morning, 3 at Ms. Cain's, and 1 before bed.

*His sleeping is getting even better, but he still wakes up so early. I suppose I'll take a solid 7:30pm-5am over several wake ups throughout the night, though! He still won't nap in his crib at home...or, well, anywhere but our arms...but he will at the sitters. Go figure!

*He is one of the sweetest babies I've ever been around. He just watches and smiles/coos/giggles at whatever is going on around him. He is obsessed with Mickey Mouse, his sisters and his teething monkey. He loves to be outside and he's becoming a "momma's boy" much to his daddy's dismay. ;) He also loves to jabber and say "dadadadada" all day long.

*He has a weird habit of rubbing his feet together all.the.time; when he's mad, when he's tired, when he's amused, when he's hungry, etc., etc. He does it so much that his socks/shoes won't stay on and he's rubbed several sores on his feet. His little sores just bleed and bleed and his toes are too tiny for bandaids so we just deal. It doesn't seem to bother him, so I guess it's okay.

*He is finally rolling from back to tummy and from tummy to back. He prefers to lay on his side, though, so he doesn't always roll all the way over...but he can, and that's all that matters, right?! Now we need to start working on this sitting up thing....if only we could keep the Livy-monster away long enough!

 

Trying out this food stuff....

yum!

                                                     

Last few nights of the swaddle

First black eye/bloody nose  :(  Rattles can be dangerous! ;)

5 months

Here's what the little guy was up to when he turned 5 months!

*Not sure about the weight or height, but he's slowly starting to "fill out"

*Still wearing a size 1 diaper

*Wears mostly 3-6 month clothing

*He is officially done nursing and I no longer pump, so he is 100% formula now and doing well! I still get sad every once in awhile that I wasn't able to nurse nearly as long as I wanted to, but I try not to dwell on it. On the plus side, I don't have to wake up so early to nurse! He gets a 6oz bottle in the morning, 3 5oz bottles while at the sitter's, and another 6oz bottle before bed. He's taking a big interest in our food and watches it like a hawk so I think baby food will be started soon.

*His sleeping has started to get a bit better, but we're still working on some consistency. He will nap in his crib at the sitter's house, but refuses to at home! Little stinker. He still goes to bed around 7:30, wakes once or twice per night, and awake around 5:30/6:00...which is better than the 4:45 we used to do for nursing!

*He is still such a happy baby! He just coos and smiles all day long. He loves Mickey Mouse, his jumparoo, his daddy, his sisters, being tickled, his toy elephant, his singing dog, and his teething monkey.

*He still doesn't roll consistently, but I really think a lot of that has to do with him never being able to be put down because of the piranhas , aka sisters, that attack him as soon as you do. I'm not concerned because I know he can and he doesn't seem to be missing out on anything by not doing so. He much prefers to be sitting up in our laps than to be lying down. "standing" is his other favorite way to be. 

I still can't believe we have this unexpected addition to our family, sometimes. It's such a blessing to have him in our lives and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I know I say it all the time, but holy cow, time is flying!

4 months

The little mister is 4 months old! Here's what he's up to:

*Weighs 13lbs 3oz (30%), 25in (50%) and head is in 50%. I really thought he was short & fat...apparently not!

*Wears a size 1 diaper but getting close to needing a 2

*Wears mostly 3 month clothing, but can do 3-6 month on onsies and some pants. Sleep-n-plays are hard to find because they are all too long for the little fella.

*Nurses in the morning, eats 3 6oz bottles at the sitter's, and nurses again before bed. We're in the process of weaning because I just can't keep up :( Honestly, I never thought I'd make it this long, but I'm sad that it's really coming to an end.

*Sleep is pretty good, but is slowly getting worse. He goes to bed around 7:30 and stirs throughout the night but usually goes back to sleep by himself, then gets up anywhere from 3:30-7:30...no consistency. Here lately he's been getting up around 4am and won't go back down...I'd love it if he'd sleep later! He is officially sleeping in his crib in his own room, but we're still working on naps. He will sometimes nap in his crib, but he gets a much better nap in if he's being held...which I don't mind because it usually means I get a nap, too!

*He is so smiley and gives big belly laughs often. He LOVES his sisters, Mickey Mouse, his jumparoo, a crinkly elephant & teething monkey, being tickled, and when we "bite" his belly.

*He is seriously so strong. He has complete control of his head, can roll belly to back, likes to "stand" while we support him under the arms, sits up in his boppy & bumbo, and tries to scoot using his legs while doing tummy time.

3 months

The Little Mister turned 3 months old on the 10th & I never officially wrote down what he was up to. Again, this information is true of when he turned 3 months, but so much has already changed since then! Maybe I can actually get his 4 month update posted near the 10th. ;) Don't hold your breath...

At 3 months old Elijah;

*Wears a size 1 diaper

*Have officially put all the newborn clothes away. Wears some 0-3mo and some 3mo clothing.

*Not sure about the weight/height, but he's definitely growing. He has no problems gaining weight now!

*Still sleeping in the Rock-n-Play by my side of the bed. I keep thinking about moving him to his crib, but I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger. He's more than likely the last baby and I just don't want him growing up so fast!

*Speaking of sleep, he is still a pretty good sleeper. Goes to bed around 8:00, up at 5 am to nurse, and back to sleep until 7 when I wake him up to get dressed so we can leave for work. No set nap schedule, but he sleeps pretty good throughout the day. Once we get him sleeping in his own room we'll work on getting a nap routine set.

*Breastfeeding has been MUCH harder this time around. My supply isn't good and it is SO hard to nurse while still being needed by a 1.5 year old & 3.5 year old. I've struggled with some guilt of not being able to breastfeed as much and/or as long as I did with the girls, but I think I've come to terms with it. I don't think we'll last much longer, but I'm hoping to make it at least through flu season.

*He nurses in the morning & before bed & gets 3 5oz bottles while at Cain's. I can usually pump enough for 2 of those bottles, but sometimes it's just 1.

*He is still so sweet, happy, & laid back. He is a momma's boy & loves his sisters just as much. He is a good boy for his daddy & loves him, too.

*He is so strong! He has complete control of his head, holds it up/moves it around. He doesn't really like tummy time unless it's on someones chest. He LOVES "standing" on your legs while you hold his hands/arms. The swing still isn't his most favorite thing and he tolerates his bouncy chair for short periods of time. He's been sitting in the Bumbo for very short periods of time & seems to really like it, so we'll start using it a bit more as he grows.

*Car rides are no longer one of his favorite things. He screams/cries the majority of the time. He will usually calm down if Sophia can give him his pacifier or talk to him/hold his hand....but she can't always be bothered to do so. ;)

I'll have to transfer some pictures over from facebook sometime, but don't have time to tonight. This boy has brought SO MUCH joy and happiness to this family and my heart is just so full!