Wednesday, June 22, 2011

9 Month Stats

Weight: 19.12 lbs
Height: 28 inches
Happy Fathers Day Daddy!!!! Hunter is still pretty average in size (around the 40th percentile.) However, his rate of growth is still off the charts. Although he is not considered "big"...the rate that he is growing is huge! The graph that represents his growth is literally a straight line upwards! He was a peanut when he was born and the doctor said that it could take him a few years to be "average" size...she continues to be impressed with how quickly he's catching up!

She said his social skills, awareness, cognitive skills, communication and interaction is equivalent to about an 18 month old!! Once again she said, " what he lacks in size he makes up for in personality!!" At this rate, I will definitely have the life of the party on my hands! This is both good and bad, but I will enjoy it now while it is still so very good! I just love his zest and spunk! His personality may be his God given blessing...to make people smile!! What a gift that is! My prayer is that he continues to have a carefree love for life...it is SO contagious and inspiring!

I can't say enough about my little man. I just love him so much and I wouldn't change one tiny thing about him. God knew exactly what I wanted and needed....the pure joy I felt when my mom was here...is now back! Hunter can make anyone feel happy! And, that is exactly what I love most about him! Hunter has learned how to whistle...it is SO funny!! I love his "whistle face!"
 
 




Thursday, June 16, 2011

9 Months old

WHAT!? I have a 9 month old! I would trade in my little toes if time could slow down! Scott watched Hunter ALL weekend alone while I went to a Bachelorette party. Scott's words, "I could SO be a stay at home dad!" I had this house very organized, a stranger could have taken care of Hunter. No, all the notes and labels were not needed because Scott has been very involved and knows the routine...but it was "peace of mind" for me! I totally "let go" of that part of my brain the second we pulled out of the driveway! A mommy break was so nice! Did I miss him...surprisingly, NO. But, was I happy to go home...YES!! I was so excited to get home to Hunter, but my time away was needed and gave me a boost of mommy energy!

We go to the doctor next week, and I look forward to getting his stats. I feel like he has grown SO much. Here is what Hunter is up to:
  • sleeps on his tummy now! 
  • gets on his hands and knees and looks over his bumper pads
  • still NO teeth
  • "scooting" but still not properly crawling
  • can stand unassisted for about 20 seconds
  • breastfeeds 5 times a day along with baby food 3 times a day and a snack
  • starting to experiment with table food (only tried potato, squash, and avocado so far)
  • loves grasping puffs, and really likes baby yogurt
  • 2 naps 9:00-10:30 and 1:45-3:30ish
  • sleeps 7-6:30 (starting to wake a little earlier, he used to wake at 7:00, we miss this!!) 
  • says da-da (all the time) and also says ma-ma (mom) , ba-ba (bye), ha (hello)
  • waves bye bye
  • claps all the time
  • VERY happy baby with a priceless smile
  • can entertain himself for hours!!
  • swimming is his favorite 
  • gives open mouth kisses often! 
  • practicing drinking from open faced cup
  • size 3 diapers
  • size 9mo-12 mo clothes
  • his laugh stops strangers...best laugh in the world!
  • totally recognizes friends and family 
  • looks for Zoe and Bentley when he hears their name
  • still loves pacifier
  • sleeps in sleepsack
  • is always talking, smiling or laughing
Every day gets more and more fun! Hunter is such a joy, and his carefree personality has blessed so many! He is continuing to change me, teach me, and giving me many reasons to love life!

Hunter LOVES swimming! Here is his playing "peekaboo" through the bucket, splashing, playing and of course flashing around that "big ole' Hunter smile!!"




Thursday, June 9, 2011

First Family Vacation

Can a baby digest beads?? That is the question that started off our family vacation! The 5 hour trip was GREAT...Hunter slept nearly the whole time! I fed him right when we got there, and he pulled my earring...and the beads went flying! Some landed in his mouth, and of course he swallowed! Good thing he didn't choke or need medical attention because Leakey is a LONG ways away from any hospital! So, that incident kicked off our weekend!

He LOVED the Frio river (Garner State Park), and the cold temperature didn't slow him down. He splashed away! Scott is such a wonderful dad, and he stayed by Hunter's side the entire time...he was so proud to show off his "mini me!" Hunter took wonderful naps in his pack-n-play...although we all had to be very quiet because he is such a light sleeper! I put a "Baby sleeping" sign on our cabin door considering there were 12 kids running around camp...in and out of cabins! So, I told them DO NOT enter when this sign is up. They are such great kids and they listened and respected our "cabin rules!" Hunter did a take a few naps in the stroller by the Frio!

We put a sheet over the pack-n-play, which worked great! This blocked the surroundings from his view, so he didn't really know that he was in a "new place." I thought he would get hot with less air circulation, so I put a fan RIGHT by the pack-n-play. Mistake-he cried for a few hours the first night! We didn't do much because we thought that he just needed time to adjust. Well, when we picked him up, he was an ICE CUBE! We moved the fan, he slept much better. Oops, just another "mothering mistake!" Live and learn!!

Hunter's cousins LOVE him and babysat all weekend. This was wonderful because it gave me time to play beer pong!! It was so fun to watch the kids interact with him because he is really starting to understand "play!" He thinks his cousin Ally is hysterical! She can make him belly laugh...it is priceless! Leakey is all about "yard games," swimming, talking, laughing, and just relaxing with the family. We had a blast....simple fun is always the best! Overall, our first family vacation was a memorable success! We had FUN at our SHS June paygroup right when we got home too!
 
 
 
 





I am going on a girls trip this weekend! My first time to be away from Hunter for an extended period of time. I will be away for 72 hours. I feel great about it...I actually feel like a break will re-energize me as a mom! Hunter probably needs a "mommy break" too ;-) I am headed back to the Frio River, but this time for a Bachelorette party for my best friend Meredith (Hunter's Godmother.) My "aunt" Ginger is coming to babysit on Friday until Scott gets home from work...then it is "Daddy duty" for the rest of the weekend. Scott is pumped about "guys weekend!" Not only am I going out of town, but my cell phone doesn't work in the hill country. So, I have left this house o-r-g-a-n-i-z-e-d so Scott won't have any questions! I have pumped breastmilk ready to go in freezer, schedules posted on wall, organized folder with ALL information, and post-its around the house! I will miss them, but everyone needs girl time! Bye, bye Hunter...hello my girls!!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

'First class' camping trip

Yep, that's right...we are on our way to our family reunion in Leakey, Tx on the Frio River (Garner State Park.) My dad grew up going there every summer and the tradition has carried on throughout my life. I have a big family, extended family...and we ALL have kids! This will be our first camping trip with a baby. Wish us luck!

By 'camping' I mean...."snob camping!!" We have air conditioned cabins, BUT...the cabins are tiny, concrete floor, small/loud window a/c unit, one bathroom, and wonderful camp grounds on the river! We all cram into 4 cabins. You get the picture...this will be an eventful, fun, adventurous, and memorable weekend. Hunter NEEDS his sleep and is a great sleeper, but he is also a light sleeper! He wakes up if my dogs walk down the hallway..yep, this will be interesting! Some of the best memories in my life are on the Frio River, so...cheers to Hunter starting his Frio River memories! And by "cheers" I mean....I will definitely have a few ice cold coronas on the Frio river and the let "the good times roll!!" 

Hunter loves the water wall...and visiting Daddy on our Wednesday lunch dates! Aunt Macy and Kinsley joined us this week!! We also swam with friend Miles Moore!