James is growing quickly! Check here for new pictures and video.
Month 8
Wow, this could be mom's favorite month! James has been gaining "vocabulary" that's included soma basic baa, hah and mmm sounds. He can pull out his pacifier and put it back in his mouth. He blows raspberries and then laughs at the sounds he makes.
James has expanded his culinary horizons. He's tried pears, apples, bananas, plums, peas, green beans, mango, avocado, sweet potato and carrots.
Current favorite food: banana
Least favorite: carrots
He's playing games of peek-a-boo regularly and also likes to just sit and entertain himself with blocks, hanging in the exersaucer and pressing buttons or splashing in the bathtub.
In the last month, he's been wiggling on his stomach and just started to push himself (unintentionally) backwards. I have no doubt that forward movement in on the horizon...
Overall James is just a fun kid. As Ms. Kate laughingly said "It's too bad he doesn't smile or laugh at all!" ;)
The Easter Bunny dropped off a couple new books, bib and clothes. James got to see both sets of grandparents a lot, along with extended family from Indiana (Hey Augustin clan!).
The big accomplishment in the last month has been better sleep. Mom went from putting the pacifier in his mouth 8 times a night to just 1 nighttime feeding -- that's it! Ms. Kate had a "nuk intervention" and James just changed cold turkey. I think everyone appreciates mom's additional sleep, too.
Month 7
Wow, what a fun month! James is really growing and his personality is developing. He's a pretty laid back kid, very happy-go-lucky and full of energy.
This month, his culinary explorations included peas, banana, apple, pear, sweet potato, carrots, plums and mango! He tolerates the veggies, but definitely prefers the fruits.
Daycare is still going very well. Ms. Kate reports that he and baby Grayson are becoming fast friends. James is learning baby sign language and understands "milk" and "do you want to eat?". What a smart kiddo!
He's raelly sitting well now, and prefers sitting to laying on his back. He loves to blow raspberries, especially when his mouth is full of peas...
A major accomplishment this month: James has drastically improved his sleep habits!!!!! Ms. Kate has limited daytime naps and he doesn't get the pacifier unless absolutely necessary. Now, instead of waking 8-12 times a night due to a lost paci, he's only waking for a 2am feeding. Not bad at all!
6 Month Check-up Report
Dr. Dan checked out the little guy and give his report:
-James is VERY healthy!
-He's 19 lbs., 13.5 ounces and he's 28 1/3 inches long. (That's 90th and 97th percentiles, respectively)
-With the new teeth, mom and dad should consider getting a cloth and wiping his teeth daily for early oral care.
-Since he isn't really getting into the cereal, keep trying for 1-4 ounces of other foods each day.
-Keep up the good work!
Attachments:
Month 6
In the last month, James has been keeping us busy! He started cereal 2 weeks ago with moderate success. He's got the tongue motion down, but dislikes the taste. So watch upcoming photos to see the next foods he tries, including avocado, pears and bananas. We'll see how it goes...
The cereal also brought an unexpected change in the diaper situation----stinkiness. Dan and I are now able to smell if he needs a diaper change these days. Too bad, but it was bound to happen!
James still loves the exersaucer and floor activities. His LOVES one of the Christmas presents---Sophie the giraffe. You'll see a few photos of him knawing on her legs, ears, face, etc. It's been great for teething.
Yep, teething. It started and now James has 2 teeth. The pain lasted about a week, then the tooth finally emerged about 10 days later. A second one arrived about a week ago.
Daycare at Ms. Kate's house still rocks. She is wonderful and James gives her a huge grin when he & Dan arrive in the morning.
Closing out 2009....
Ok, I'm a little behind getting this latest month's update out. But it's been quite an eventful end to a wonderful year!
In December, Dan finished another semester of masters-level classes. That meant James and I got to see him a little more during the week. Plus with the December holiday craze, it helped me get more things done around the house.
James got a cute Santa onesie that he sported for Christmas at the Coynes. He also got a Baby's 1st Christmas top that made it's debut at the Ryan family Christmas and a few days later at the Augustin Christmas.
James was a good boy, obviously. :) Santa brought a swimsuit so he, mom and dad can start taking "swim lessons". (Or maybe it's just, play in a big bathtub class...) He also received Ms. Sophie the Giraffe, a big boy carseat from the extended families, a bubble machine for bathtime from uncle Joel and a drum and CD set from Cousins Piper and Elliott. Not to mention, tons of fun clothes!
He first rolled on Dec. 13 and hasn't stopped since. He also loves the exersaucer activity center. It provides mom & dad just enough time to eat dinner while he's playing.
He came down with his first cold in the week between Christmas and New Years, which caused him (and mom) to sleep very poorly. Once he got over the cold, he started a little bit of teething! Poor kiddo...
Within the next month, he is probably going to start trying baby cereal. Perhaps the elusive "sleep through the night" concept will finally be realized.
Lots of photos!
Just a heads up that I (Megan) received a fabulous new digital camera for Christmas, with the added bonus that it's now compatible with Windows Vista. You can expect to see more photos and fancy new HD videos appearing soon. :)
Month 4 Doctor Visit
The Ryan family had the privilege of visiting Dr. Dan for James' 4 month doctor appointment. Mom and Dad knew this little guy was growing quickyl, but had no idea how big he really was!
Weight: 18 lbs., 1.5 oz. (95th percentile)
Length: 27 3/4 inches (off the growth chart!!)
I think James will be too large for his car seat bucket by his 6 month appointment! He's quickly moving into the 6-9 month clothing size too. Dr. Dan gave us the brief overview of solid feeding, starting with rice cereal (NOT rice krispies, but special baby rice cereal...)
James again got 2 big thumbs up from Dr. Dan before getting another 2 shots. He was a champion---a little crying and hardly fussy the rest of the day.
Growth chart attached in case you want to track his progress so far.
Attachments:
Month 4
James had quite an eventful month of November. He adjusted quickly to daycare at Ms. Kate's house, much to his parents relief. Within 2 weeks, Ms. Kate had James sleeping in the Pack n Play like a pro! (He had been sleeping in the swing, though we wouldn't actually set the swing into motion unless absolutely necessary.)
Meanwhile, Megan returned to work and the entire family adjusted to a full-time work schedule for both parents. Dan had classes on Monday nights, so James and Meg frequented the home of Grandma and Grandpa Ryan.
This month, James met some new family members! Great Aunt Rita and Uncle Jim came to visit from Indiana, along with their 3 children. James was passed and received many compliments about his smile and happy demeanor. Then his cousins Piper and Elliott, along with Aunt Ann and Uncle Shawn came to visit from Michigan over Thanksgiving!
St. Nick visited Grandma Coyne's house and he dropped off a wonderful Santa onesie! Check out Month 4 photos for these photos. :)
Month 3
James’ growth thankfully seems to have leveled off a bit this month. He is still in 3-6 month clothing with room to spare.
He has been consistently finding his hands and sucking on his thumb and pointer finger. He’s also smiling a lot, especially in the morning during diaper and clothing changes. He’s standing well with support and sitting in the Bumbo to watch Packer games with mom and dad.
This month, James met his Great Aunt Rita and Great Uncle Jim, and their children Spencer, Cecily and Candace. He also visited Great Grandma Augustin and Great Grandma Ryan again! He met his Uncle Shawn and looks forward to meeting Aunt Ann and Cousins Piper and Elliott soon!
Mom and James took a trip to Madison to see Grandpa Coyne for a day, a well as Uncle Joel. And we have spent lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa Ryan!
James was a ferocious green and purple dinosaur for Halloween! And by ferocious, I mean he was not happy to wear the costume more than 5 minutes!
He enjoyed the last few weeks of our Mom & Baby group and then the big change happened: Mom went back to work on Nov. 2 and James is now at daycare with Ms. Kate during the day. Things are going very well at daycare---Ms. Kate is training him to sleep in the PackNPlay, so we can take family overnight trips soon.
Month 2 doctor check-up
Just got back from the doctor's office! James weighs in at 14 pounds, 10.4 ounces (97th percentile in weight) and he's 24.5 inches long (95th percentile for height).
Yes, our baby is big and healthy! Dr. Dan gave him the A-OK so we're cleared for another 2 months before the next visit.
I attached the growth chart in case you're curious.
Attachments:
Do you have pictures of James?
If you have pictures of James, please remember to post them here so we can enjoy them too. :)
Month 2 done!
Wow, this little guy is really growing fast! When we started month 2, he was still a blob (but a cute blob, at that!). By mid-September, he was really starting to smile more and has begun cooing in the last week or so.
This month, we visited 2 new baby friends, Owen and Sydney, plus we watch Uncle Joel, Grandma Coyne and Daddy all finish the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.
We watched a couple Packer games and Mom covered his ears a few times while we vented our frustrations out loud to the TV screen.
We visited lots of friends, including Megan from CO, Ms. Alison, great grandmas Augustin and Pascale, Sean and Sarah, and lots of time with Coynes and Ryans.
James actually enjoys bath time. He's sleeping at least 4-5 hour stretches at night and is getting lots of love from the dogs.
Badger game
James should have covered his eyes and filled his diaper if he was watching the game.
Smile!
James is smiling today! Plus he was startled when listening to the Badger game win and made his own touchdown gesture (hands up). :)
