8 Month Outtakes

As usual, there were several pictures that didn't quite make it as the official monthly photo. Here are a few of our favorites:

8 months old

Simon turns 8 months old tomorrow, Monday the 26th. So much has changed this month...the most wonderful, rewarding and exciting change has been the improvement to his sleep! As of about 3 weeks ago he was going down fighting and waking up between 8-14 times a night asking for a paci, some rocking, whatever. And since this "phase" lasted for about 2 months, we were beyond exhausted and feeling pretty hopeless. So we made a few changes: we stopped putting him to sleep in his sleepsuit, as it limited his mobility and he wasn't able to get his pacifier back in his mouth. We also helped the paci cause by putting bumpers in the crib for the first time and giving him 5 (yes, five) pacifiers every night in his crib--one in his mouth and two extras by each hand.

It took about 3 weeks for him to get used to the new sleepsack (AKA wearable blanket), and during that time he also got really adept at finding a paci and replugging on his own when needed. And then at some point he also stopped fighting being put down at night. Lastly, with his new range of motion at night he is turning over and sleeping on his side and stomach a lot, which he really seems to enjoy.

Long story short, we now read him a book in the rocker and then put him down fully awake...sing the lullaby and walk out. He plays around a bit and falls asleep between 5-15 minutes later. And best of all, he can put himself back to sleep when he wakes up at night, so we are finally getting some real sleep. He goes down around 6:30 PM and sleeps until around 6-7 the next morning. Pure bliss.

That's our big development for the month...enjoy his 8-month picture with his new favorite blocks and, of course, Peeks the Puppy.

Sunday!

We had a lovely Sunday, the weather was beautiful and Simon was in great spirits. We all went out to brunch and Simon sat in a high chair for the first time, what a big boy! He loved it, he was so excited to look at everyone and flirt with all the waitresses. He even got to taste a little bit of dry waffle and some scrambled egg, which he really seemed to like.

After brunch we took a mommy-baby nap, which we do once in a while on the weekends. It was really nice, we slept for 1 1/2 hours and then got up to play!

Later in the afternoon we took some playmats out back and played out there for an hour or so. He was intrigued by the grass and kept pulling out blades to inspect. And he tried to consume this book, but was unsuccessful in the end.

Have a great week everyone!

Favorites from the week

Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the week.

First, Simon played puppy dog one day after work one day, and since he can't actually use his shoes for walking, we figured they would be okay as a chew toy instead.

On Thursday Matt took Simon for a walk with another parent and baby in our PEPS group. They went to a beach in Carkeek Park, not far from our house, and Simon got to sit in the sand for the first time. And I had the pleasure of finding sand somehow still in his diaper the next day.

Finally, when Matt picks me up from work I sit in the back and visit with Simon on the way home. Usually Sophie makes the trip with us...here a fairly sleepy Simon is taking a bite out of her leg.

Video Catch-up

Sit down, grab a snack and enjoy a few backlogged videos from the last month...

Simon and I often trade funny sounds...here we run the gamut.

Sometimes Simon can be a little evasive when it comes to eating his veggies and Dad needs to break out the airplane.

Simon is in the process of learning how to feed himself. We are practicing with Gerber Graduates Sweet Potato Puffs. He understands the concept of "grab food, put food in mouth and chew" but sometimes doesn't realize that the food didn't quite make it into his mouth. It's pretty cute.

Dad's first week home

Matt is almost through his first week at home with Simon. They have had a good week--Simon has been a little bit of a handful, but they are already settling into a routine, and boy, is Matt more productive than I was when I was at home on maternity leave. They run errands, Simon is doing pretty well with naps and they have of lots of playtime. Here are some iPhone pictures from this first week.

chomping on a teether as Dad makes a bottle

Evil baby face

First time in a shopping cart, what a big boy!

Dad and Simon cuddling in bed

Serious Simon at playtime

Pondering the meaning of life or just chowing on his finger?

Phone's for you!

Mommy makes an appearance, snuggle time!

Vote for Simon!

I entered Simon in a pretty big cute baby photo contest a little while back, and while that is still being judged, I guess one of his pictures was chosen for a smaller weekly photo contest. The winners are chosen by numbers of votes, and you can vote once a day for the next week, so get going!

http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/192491

7 Month Outtakes

Here are some of the shots that didn't end up being the "official" 7 Month picture.