My happy boy, 

Everyone is so obsessed with our chunky, always smiling, sweet baby boy! I never thought I would have that baby that everyone talks about and shares pictures of, but you sure are cute, and everyone loves your "marshmallow" squishy rolls. I know I sure do love them. I swear I could cuddle and squeeze and kiss you all day long. You love it too. You are such a cuddle bug, and you are starting to give your kisses back. Yesterday you saw Solomon after you both had your nap and he went to hug you like he normally does. You were so excited and wrapped your arms around him and held onto his shirt trying to kiss him. It made me want to burst!! Most of the time you like your space, but you are definitely warming up to the constant hugs and kisses from your brother. 

I also love how aware you are now days. You pay attention to your surroundings and really try to talk to people. Those who see you every few days really notice a difference in how you are holding yourself and how observant you are. We are also starting to see your personality shine and I can't wait to see who you will become. I know you will be such a sweet and loving boy! We sure do love having you around. 

Love, 

Momma

stats //  22.1 lbs & 27.5 in.

eating // if we are out and about he will go a at least 4 hours without nursing, but when we are home he prefers every 2-3 hours. He's definitely interested in food and we are planning to give him some once he's 6 months old!

sleeping // his sleep has been so erratic thanks to that four month sleep regression I think?? I never know what a night is going to be like now and it's getting hard to keep him out of our bed. It's still so natural for me to go get him and bring him to the bed to nurse, and sometimes I don't even realize I do it until he wakes up again to eat. He definitely sleeps better in his crib so I usually end up putting him back at some point if he is in our bed. 

But, even a bad night is much better than sleep with Solomon in his first year, so I'm hopeful that things will turn around and get even better again, soon!  

wearing // still wearing all 9 month and 12 month clothes but some of his pants and shorts are 18 month now thanks to those yummy thighs and his chunky butt. I'm officially washing all of the 18 months clothing so they will be ready when I need them soon. 

He's also moving up to size 5 diapers now, cause the 4 diapers keep leaking!

firsts // worked at HOG Day with mommy and daddy, starting to sit up but still can't roll over, we celebrated my first Mother's Day as a family of four with Asher, & giving kisses and hugs which is so sweet, especially when they are for Solomon.

favorite things // chewing on anything he can get his hands on, smiling at mommy, yelling at Solomon when he's playing to try and get his attention, waking up with a big smile every morning & drinking as much milk as he can!

Asher // four months.

Dear sweet boy,

You are growing into the sweetest momma’s boy and I absolutely love it! You definitely love your big brother and your daddy too, but I’m crazy about that special bond we have. You give me the most precious smiles that I love so much, and watching you search the room for me when you are upset, is the sweetest thing to see.

I’m rocking you to sleep right now in your room which seems to be taking a lot longer than normal thanks to that scary Wonder Week #4. I remember this one being a doozy with your brother but I don’t mind the extra cuddles. You have gotten so big in the past month and feeling the weight of your body rest against my chest will never get old.

I’m still figuring out all the many ways you are you and so different than Solomon. Even from the beginning, in almost every single way, you have been his opposite. I don’t say this as a bad thing at all, but you have definitely kept me guessing. It is super sweet how we have settled into our rhythm now and we understand each other. You have your quirks and I look forward to them everyday. 

You wake up so happy and are almost always smiling, unless you aren't getting enough attention. You definitely love your eye contact and will demand to be seen if you want it. I can see bits and pieces of a very stubborn boy in your personality, which makes me a little nervous. Thankfully, your happy moments definitely outweigh the stubborn ones! Your hair is growing so quickly and getting thicker and darker, and your big brown eyes make me think of your daddy all day long. I love how much you look like him and I pray that you have his gentleness and learn his patience, too. 

You are my happy boy and I love watching you grow so quickly! You can slow down anytime now....

Love you so much!

-Momma

& a special naked baby shot, cause I can't resist blowing raspberries on that belly!

stats //  20.5 lbs & 26.5 in.

eating // during the days he is normally 3-4 hours apart but after his late nap he usually eats every 2 hours till bedtime.

sleeping // he is still such a great sleeper!! We had a little bit of a rough patch at the beginning of the 4th leap, but I'm hopeful that we are over that now. The past two nights he has slept for 7 hours straight, and two nights in a row makes me really hopeful!

His typical day includes a 9:30-11:30 nap, then a 1:30-3:30 nap and one last nap around 5:30 that will last for an hour at most. He usually wakes up just in time for me to go get him before I can eat dinner... ;)  then he will go to sleep for the night between 9-10.

wearing // definitely out of all 6 month clothes and mostly wearing 12 month and some 9 month. The 6-12 month clothes from Gap or Old Navy really fit him well though! 

firsts // we celebrated Easter with two bunnies this year, battled the dreaded thrush for a while, had his first vacation in Cancun, had his first bottle & actually liked it so mommy and daddy could go on a date, and stayed in the church nursery for the first time!
favorite things // talking and even growling and squealing at times, hitting things with his hands, watching Solomon and anything he's doing, sucking on his fingers and his upper lip (which is so cute, just like his brother did!), and he's getting better at tummy time & trying his best to roll over. 

Asher // three months.

The normal face when Solomon is playing with Asher. Happy, but I might cry at any moment. 

Sweet Asher,

It's crazy how much my love has grown for you in this past month. You are growing into the sweetest baby boy each day. There are so many things that I have learned about you as you are changing, and I love it. I honestly didn't expect the newborn phase to be hard this time around but it was. I'm sorry for that, but I'm so happy that we have found our way through it together. Being a mother of two is not always easy, but it is always easy to love you and kiss your massive yummy cheeks!

Learning all your quirks has also been fun the past month. Little things like how you need 10 seconds of butt pats once I lay you down in the crib. Exactly 10 seconds or you will wake up. Or, how you smell exactly like your daddy. It's the strangest thing, and even your Amo Fadi notices it all the time. And how you turn your face and open your mouth when I kiss your cheeks sometimes. I like to think you are trying to give me a kiss back. I really love how you constantly watch your big brother, too. Sometimes I will leave you with him, if i need to use the bathroom or go get some water, and you are so content and happy. Just looking up at him and watching him play. He loves you too, and even calls you "his baby" sometimes. I love how you two need each other already, and I pray that need will grow more every day.

I also love all the many smiles I get during the day. You have so many different ones. There's the middle of the night smile that I can see in the dark as you see my face. The sleepy grin that finds comfort beside me in the bed and holds my hand while you nurse back to sleep. And then there's the middle of milk smile, definitely one of my favorites! You pull away and babble and stare at me, never taking your eyes off of my face as you grin, and a little bit of milk escapes the corner of your lips. But my favorite grin is the big, wide mouth, happy smile. The one that makes your eyes squint and nose scrunch. The one that almost makes you laugh a little bit. You are so happy, and I love receiving all those perfect smiles every day.

I recently got lost scrolling through my forever long Instagram feed looking at pictures of you and your brother. I ended up all the way back to Solomon's photos when he was your size. I felt the lump in my throat and wanted to cry. Time is such a thief, and it has already taken three months of your life so quickly. How is it possible that you are already so big, and that your brother is even bigger. I just watch you two every day in awe of this life that I get to live. A life of loving two precious boys with every bit of me. Even when it's hard and I feel like I might break, you both get even more of me, that I didn't think I could give. You pull it out of me, and you make me better because of it.

Thank you for loving me and needing me, baby boy!! I love you so much, and I need you even more, trust me. 

Love, 

Mommy

stats //  17.4 lbs & 25.5 in.

you are growing like a weed!!!

eating // some days are more of a pattern than others, but Asher has his first stuffy nose and cough from all of Solomon's kisses. :( he has been nursing more than normal which I'm totally ok with, hoping the breast milk will help fight the cold.  

sleeping // most nights he wants to sleep by 8:30-9 and will sleep in his crib till 2-4. I'm never really sure when he is going to wake up but it's nice that he has such a good chunk of sleep in his bed. There have been several nights that I have put him back in his crib after he has some milk and he will sleep again till morning. I never expected to switch to the crib in his room so early, but he really does sleep best that way. 

But,  this cold is also throwing that off since he wants to nurse more often, even at night. Either way, I love having him in the bed beside me if he needs it, but I'm hoping he will get back in his crib soon since he does sleep better that way. & obviously, so do I. 

wearing // all his clothes are 6 months and even some 9 month things. His legs are so chunky and won't fit 80% of  the pants and pjs that Solomon wore. It's so funny to me how different their body types are. 

favorite things // sitting up, he rarely likes to lay down, unless he's having some milk. Loves chewing on his hands still, mostly his index finger and thumb. Watching Solomon play, especially with his lightsaber. Going places and seeing new things, BUT WE STILL HATE THE CAR. God, please help us! 

Asher // two months.

Baby boy,

You are getting so big and I can't believe how quickly the past two months have flown by. You add such a joy to our family with all your smiles and need for face to face time. You love it when we talk to you and give you attention, and we obviously love doing it, especially your big brother! Even if he loves a little too hard sometimes, I have a feeling you will welcome it once you get a little bit bigger. I can see the two of you wrestling and playing and becoming best friends in the year ahead and it makes me so happy. I'm so thankful to have two little boys to grow up together and love each other and need each other. You are so lucky to have Solomon and I pray that you learn to be sweet and loving and kind like he is. You are our sweet baby boy, and we can't wait to see how you grow and learn in the next month ahead.

I love you so much,
Momma!

stats //  14l.13lbs & 22in

eating // definitely loves his milk! He even kicks his legs and smiles with anticipation when I'm uncovering to feed him. As I mentioned in the latest Day in our Life post, all he wants is milk and cuddles, which means he drains me completely dry some nights. The same happened with Solomon during his second leap but thankfully Asher is a better sleeper at night so I get a break to make more milk. 

sleeping // like I said, his sleeping is pretty awesome. 
His nap schedule is typically.....
8:30-9:30
11:00-12:30 
2:00-4:00 
6:00-7:00 
then he will go to sleep for the night between 9:30-10:30 
and sleep till 2-3, then he'll nurse and sleep again till 6:30 
So, I'll take it! I'm hoping the sleeping will become even better after this second leap and we can move the bedtime up to around 9PM. He's still sleeping in our room in the pack and play at the end of our bed but once he wakes around 2-3 he comes to our bed to nurse laying down and sleeps with me. He loves to cuddle, and I love it! 

wearing // moved up to size two diapers and wearing some 3-6 month clothes. Most of his 0-3 month clothes will fit but they are definitely getting snug! 

favorite things // he gives Peter the goofiest grin when ever he comes home that is so funny!! loves to be walked around and riding in his sling, especially outside. sleeping in his crib for naps with his sound machine. still a big fan of bath time! 

Asher // one month.

Asher,
I can't believe you are already one month old. The past month has flown by so quickly and it's crazy how much you have changed already. I feel like those newborn days are already gone. You are such a big boy and you love to drink your milk. Almost everyone who holds you says "wow, he's solid!". You are solid and I'm so proud of you and all that you have accomplished already in this crazy life. You are our happy boy but I can tell you will have quite a personality. I pray that you will grow into a sweet and kind little boy, who will eventually grow into a good man after God's heart.

The days and nights aren't much of a blur anymore since you are a great sleeper most of the time. There have been a handful of nights that have been long and hard, but those are few and far between. I'm hoping you keep that up!!! You are also looking more and more like your daddy these days which I love so much!! You still look like your big brother when you are sleeping, but as soon as your eyes are open and you are looking around, you are your daddy! I can't wait to see how you change in the months ahead and watch your personality come to life! I'm so happy that you are a part of our life now. I can't imagine our family without you, you definitely make us more complete.

We love you, baby boy!! Happy one month!
Love, Momma

stats // 11.7 lbs & 21.5in

eating // lots and lots of milk. He is such a chunk and loves to nurse, even as a day old he was gaining weight so well and drinking almost 1oz when we weighed him. The nurses were so surprised and pleased. In one month  he gained over 3 lbs, so its safe to say he loves his milk! During the day he drinks every 2-4 hours. At night he is all about the cluster feeding from 6PM to 11PM, mostly eating every hour for about 20 minutes at a time, unless hes sleeping on daddy's chest.

sleeping // I'm still wondering how each night will go since some nights are an amazing 4-6 hours of solid sleep, or it could be an every 2 hour wake up. Either way he stays asleep while nursing until around 5-6AM, so I can't complain! We are bedsharing already most of the night since it's already so natural for me to nurse and sleep with a baby. Thankfully he enjoys it too and sleeps well next to me in the bed.

wearing // all 3 month clothing already, and he has been wearing it for a couple weeks. I was shocked at how quickly he outgrew the newborn clothes. Some of the things Solomon wore for months wont fit already.
size 1 diapers but they are pretty snug already!

favorite things // staring at big brother, cuddles (especially with daddy at night!), burping and having a clean diaper (even if he HATES having his diaper changed!!), sleeping in the rock-n-play during the day for naps & taking a bath!!!

to baby Asher.

sweet baby Asher, 

I'm dying to meet you. I really can't wait to see your face and touch your baby soft skin and kiss your tiny little toes. I know you still need some time to get ready to meet us, and we are getting ready to meet you, but the anticipation is killing me. 

I have been working so hard in your room (with the help of your Gigi, Auntie Lola, Daddy and your big brother!) so that it will be ready for you. Going through all the little outfits and making everything perfect is so much fun. I can't wait to see you in all the tiny little outfits that your brother has already worn. I'm so thankful that you will have your brother to look up to and play with. He is going to love you so well. 

I pray for your relationship with him often. I have been praying for you to have a best friend and a protector and a role model in Solomon. I know he doesn't fully understand the importance of you, but I know he will love you. He rubs my belly and says hey baby Asher and my heart could burst with excitement for the two of you and the memories you will create. I'm so thankful to have two little boys to love. 

Your name means happy & blessed, and that is one thing that I pray over you a lot. I pray for you to be a happy and content little guy. I pray for blessing to flow into your life from the Father over and over. I can't wait for you to know His big love one day, and I'm so excited to teach you about Him. I hope that you will use your name to honor and glorify God one day. You can do BIG things, sweet boy, I know you can.

Your are my Asher, and I can't wait to hold you in my arms.
Soon, so so soon!

Love,
Momma

baby boy.

baby boy, 

I've been waiting to write this first letter to you once we officially know your name, but we still aren't sure. You seem like you are growing more and more everyday, so I'll keep calling you baby boy. My baby boy that I can't wait to meet. Earlier this week I heard one of my favorite songs and the words have never been more true to my heart..... 

"I remember when you were just a heartbeat that I heard
and now our eyes meet
Forever is not enough to love you"

(Bethany Dillon, You're the best song)

I know these words are so true because of your big brother. The past two years as his mommy has flown by, and I know the same will happen with you. It is so bittersweet and wonderful and awful and the biggest gift of my life. I truly believe that the Lord placed me on this earth to be a mom, and I'm so incredibly thankful that He has chosen you to add to our blessing of a family. I know you will be the perfect addition. 

I can't wait to see your face and kiss your little hands and feet. One of the best parts of having a newborn is how you will just want to be held and cuddled, and I can't wait to enter that season of life again, with you. Even the sleepless nights seem wonderful in my head, I'm sure I'll change my mind about that. I'm just excited to have a winter baby in my arms to love and keep warm. My little winter baby boy. I already love you so much! 

Love,

Mommy

little letters.

dear october,
you are my favorite, hands down.


dear love taza,
thanks for the fun blog post idea. I needed something new and lighthearted to do in this space that I seem to forget about sometimes.


dear Mom to Mom bible study,
you are such a highlight in my week, and I have loved meeting some new moms, already!


dear leftovers,
you make me happy, especially when I switch you up into a completely different second day meal.


dear fall weather,
waking up to a 50-something temp makes me almost cry happy tears.


dear Sky Top Orchard,
unfortunately, it doesn't look like we are going to see you this year. I've never been and I was really hoping we could squeeze you in, but it's not looking that way.


dear Fall for Greenville,
I am excited to enjoy you this weekend, maybe even on Thursday night!


dear yeti cup,
thank you for helping me drink cold water all day long. You really are a lifesaver.


dear breastfeeding journey,
I am so, so happy that you are nowhere close to being finished. Almost thirteen months in, and we are still going strong, and I love it.


dear gap,
you are starting to take over my closet, but I don't mind one bit!


dear weekend,
reeeaaaaally looking forward to seeing you, we have so many fun things to do.

Solomon // nine months.

These pictures are starting to get a little more active, instead of cute and posed! ;)

5/19/16

This morning when we woke up and I went to pick you up I felt like you gained 10lbs over night! Granted, you had on a soaked diaper that was heavy, but you still feel so big in my arms lately. You are doing so many things that a baby should not do. I guess you aren't really a baby anymore. Babies don't hold onto the couch and walk around. Babies don't sit in a highchair and eat with momma and daddy at a restaurant. But babies do cuddle up with momma and drink milk like its the best part of their day, and you still do that all the time. I don't ever want to give that up! You will always be my baby, the sweet little one that made me a momma! 

5/23/16

Today is your daddy's birthday and I really hope you love him and look up to him forever! You love him so much and it makes my heart so happy to watch you two together. You are so lucky to have him as your dad. 

Today he turned 33 and he had such a fun night with you. Playing peekaboo and feeding you your dinner at the table and watching you play. We are in constant awe of you. You make our heart so happy, and we are so proud of how you are growing up before our eyes! 

5/30/16
I could die over your chunky soft hands! They feel like velvet against my skin while you drink your milk at night and I never want to forget how your free hand rubs up and down my arm while you eat and sleep. It's the sweetest feeling and my heart could almost burst when you do it. It almost makes up for the fact that you still wake up every 3-4 hours and won't sleep in your crib for more than 2. 

I was talking to a friend recently that shared her bed with her babies, and nursed on demand, as well. She said the exact thing I think often, you won't be sleeping in our bed in high school . She now has a 15 year old that just got a drivers license. It goes by so fast, even if the nights seem long right now. You will be big and driving a car before I know it, and this season is such a sweet one, I want to soak it up as much as I can! It makes me happy that you feel safe and comfortable in our bed and waking up together as a family is so sweet. Hearing you giggle and talk to me and daddy first thing every morning, crawling between the two of us, excited to start your day makes my heart so happy.

6/3/16

Tonight has been a rough night. You are acting all kinds of crazy, even having weird dreams where you do this creepy breathy chuckle that can only make me think of a scary baby doll. I've had to count to five in my head and give you kisses on your cheeks a few times tonight, my own little way to try and calm down. You are finally passed out on my chest and my eyes are so heavy that I can barely keep them awake to type this on my phone. Your face is all warm and sweaty on my neck and I can feel your wet hair on my shoulder. Last night at the baseball game, a sweet old man walked by me when I was holding you in my arms, he looked at you and said "man, they don't stay that little long". I almost started crying right then and there. I constantly say how big you are and how I can't believe you will be even bigger soon. This season is a whirlwind of changes and growth and sometimes it hurts so badly that I feel I may break in two. You are changing and growing constantly, you never slow down, and that man was right. You won't be this little long because you are already bigger than you were yesterday. Your sweet little face won't lay on my chest forever so I will sit here and soak it in, your sweaty face and all. 

6/11/16

Time has seemed to slow down a bit recently, somehow? I keep thinking I might have missed your ninth "monthday" but I haven't? It's weird but it is comforting to see that things can slow down a bit. I'm trying to get you sound asleep so I can put you down in your crib. This seems to be the main time that I write you these little letters but I can't help it. Having this quiet time in your room and feeling your heavy body breath against my chest always makes my mind think about how big you have gotten, which makes my heart start writing to you. That is exactly what these letters are, my heart in pen form. I hope that you can read these one day and see your past in them. See how much I love you and how much I need you. Understand how important you are to our family, since you were the first to grow our family from two to three. I pray that you see Jesus in these letters too, and that you seek him and find him in your life. All these memories that mean so much to me are a gift from our Lord, and I never want you to forget that. He is such a good Father and he loves you so much. More than I ever could! 

stats // 20 pounds 14 ounces & 29 inches

eating // breakfast is still a no go since he only wants to nurse before his morning nap. We normally get the three meals in during the day thanks to a big lunch, dinner and then a snack before bed since he goes to sleep later than most babies. He loves his organic yogurt with everything. Apple sauce with some added cinnamon and nutmeg is his favorite right now. We have also made him some fresh squash and zucchini from the garden which he loves, and he really enjoys getting fresh blueberries or blackberries with daddy when they are ripe enough. 

sleeping // naps are twice a day, 2 hours after he wakes up and then 3-4 hours after the second nap, both for two hours most of the time. Bedtime is still at 9:30 at the earliest, sometimes even as late as 10:30 but it works well for our family since we like to stay busy at night and enjoy family time together. I did try moving it up to 8 and it did not work at all. 

We are still starting the night in the crib 90% of the time but the rest of the night we cuddle together in bed. I love it and don't care to push it anytime soon. 

wearing // moved into 12 month clothes for the most part and some of his shorts are even 12-18 months! It is weird how some 6 month tops still fit though.

He is still rocking the cloth diapers at home and still wearing size 4 Seventh Generation diapers at night and while traveling.

favorite things // going outside, he squeals and throws his arms around anytime we go near a door. Giggling while he plays, it's so funny to hear him laugh at himself. Looking at the chickens outside with daddy. Playing in his pack and play, he has even crawled up to it a couple of times wanting to get in. Watching himself with the fun filters on snapchat!

PAST UPDATES
1st Month // 2nd Month
3rd Month // 4th Month

5th Month // 6th Month

7th Month // 8th Month

Solomon // eight months.

4/21/16

Just typing that eight months out in the subject of that post hurt my heart. Eight months.... I can't believe you will be that old so soon. I feel so much happiness and sadness everyday with you. I'm happy to see you growing and developing so many skills but I'm sad to see my baby disappearing before my eyes. I find myself so excited each time you wake up from a nap because I miss you. I miss seeing your eyes open and happy with excitement, you are such a sweet boy. But by the time the next nap rolls around, I'm excited to see them close again, and for you to rest, so I can rest. This motherhood thing is a complete roller coaster of emotions.

We just got back from our vacation in Chicago and you had some many exciting moments! You went from your tummy to your knees and the sat down on your butt all by yourself! Then a couple days later you finally figured out how to crawl on your hands and knees, although you still prefer the army crawl for now. You are also clapping your hands often, sometimes when I ask if you can clap. Its so cute to see all these things happen and watch you grow before our eyes. As much as I wish it would slow down, I'm happy you are thriving and your silly personality is showing more every day!

4/28/16

You have your second tooth poking through and you have been such a champ through most of it. I'm rocking your big and heavy little boy body to sleep since every time I lay you down in your crib you hold on for dear life and start to cry. I might just put you in bed with me if it happens one more time.... 

I can't believe how big you feel in my arms lately. You are so strong and solid, definitely not a little baby anymore! I just can't believe how fast it has flown by.... We are almost in May, which will make you almost 8 months. I know I say the same things over and over in these letters.... I can't believe you are so big, how can you be this old, you are such a sweet baby.... I sound like a broken record but it is so true. All of it. I just can't believe you are mine sometimes! We hit the jackpot, sweet boy!!!

5/5/16

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! I hope we can sip on margaritas and eat way too many chips and with salsa and guac together, one day! ;) 

Baby boy, you are constantly on the move these days! You pull up on everything and you even took your first few steps to auntie Jane while holding on to the couch yesterday. You also had your first big bump on the head tonight. I was cleaning the kitchen when you were standing by the couch and daddy was moving the coffee table so you wouldn't fall and hit your head on it. Ironically, that is when you decided to turn and reach for him which made you fall and hit your head on the corner of it. I couldn't believe  how quickly it started to swell and turn blue. You barely cried and continued to play with daddy until you wanted to nurse. While I nursed you I put an ice pack on the bump and thankfully it went down a ton. Your first injury, just in time for Mother's Day! That will be a memory for all the pictures!! 

5/11/16

It's really nice how we are establishing a routine together. I think it's funny how I expected this to happen so early on in your life but it took time. I think I needed to learn all the little ways of motherhood (I still have a LOT more to learn, for sure!) and you needed to figure out your needs and wants a little bit too. I'm also happy that you are so laid back and go with the flow most of the time. When I was pregnant with you, everyone said you would be so chill, since me and your daddy are normally laid back about things. I guess it's true that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You definitely have your short temper but you figure things out quickly. I just love being your momma and figuring out how to make you our happy baby. We are so blessed by you and all your smiles. 

5/14/16
You are eight months.... one month away from me losing my mind! HA!! I can't imagine you being in the world longer than you grew in me, so it is hard to think about that nine months + one week mark. I've been dreaming of that time when you decided to come into the world a lot lately. It makes me long for those moments again, and even long to give you a brother and sister. God is such a miracle worker when it comes to babies. Especially you! You are our little angel. With your constant smiles, happy squeals and super silly personality... all of it is pure angel. So thankful to call you ours!!!

stats //20.8 lbs and 29 inches,
we also learned that he is 75% for weight and 92% for height at his appointment. 

eating // Still loving all the food! We added organic yogurt and organic cottage cheese to the menu for Solomon and he loves them both. Breakfast isn't a big meal since he prefers to nurse in the mornings but we share a banana while playing with his toys in the living room before his morning nap. 

Lunch and Dinner are both big meals for him. He usually has 1-2 table spoons of a veggie and a fruit and then 1 table spoon of yogurt or cottage cheese, then once he's done he nurses to wash it all down. 

sleeping // He has started moving a TON while sleeping. I'm not sure if it is the 6th leap he is going through or if this is just a new thing? We will find out in two weeks once the leap is over, I guess... but he fidgets a ton at night and has been crying a lot. Peter seems to think he is having bad dreams which is a side effect of this leap. During nap time he sleeps in the crib for at least an hour, sometimes almost two, and he moves a lot but it never wakes him up. Night is a different story. 

We are still starting the night in the crib and I think we are ready to move the bedtime routine up a little earlier. We were starting the bath and quiet play in his room, book reading and nursing to sleep around 9 but I'm going to try starting at 8 next week and see what that does. I'm also going to try and put him back in the crib to sleep instead of bringing him to our bed, we'll see how that goes!

wearing // wearing all his 6-9 month clothing and even some 12 month summer clothes. I can't believe how big he has gotten lately. I feel like he looks more grown up every morning! Spending time with his big cousins and watching them made him act so much older.

He is still rocking the cloth diapers at home and still wearing size 4 Seventh Generation diapers at night and while traveling.

favorite things // anytime anyone sings ABCs to him... so weird how much he loves that song still. Clapping his hands constantly, even when he hears someone doing it on the TV or the radio, it's so funny! He loves our shoes, drives me nuts... I came around the corner and found him in the kitchen with a shoe in his lap and I said what are you doing?? He looked up at me and threw it to the side, HA! He knows he isn't supposed to play with them but he can't resist them! Actually starting to look at books and not eat them constantly which is exciting, still can't sit and read an entire book though, even really short ones annoy him. 

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1st Month // 2nd Month
3rd Month // 4th Month

5th Month // 6th Month

7th Month

Solomon // seven months.

3/21/16

Big boy.... You are getting so big! You can play sitting up without any problems now. You know what toys you love and enjoy. And when you are in my lap you don't feel like my baby anymore. I feel a pre-toddler sitting in my lap or laying on my chest. Everyone says to soak in the baby because it won't last long and they weren't lying. It flew by and I miss your little baby body sometimes. Thankfully, all your funny faces and sweet smiles make up for the newborn baby that left me. But seriously, you can slow it down a bit! No crawling or standing aloud here, mister!!!

3/24/16

It has been such a hard week with you this week. I've had so many moments where I could scream at your sweet little face because you were losing your mind. I've thanked God countless times for making you an easy baby and not this needy and moody all the time. I know those little teeth hurt you and I wish I could take that pain away, but all I can do is smile and play and love you! 

Easter is coming up and I'm so excited to experience my favorite holiday with you! Last year you were just a little peanut in my belly and I remember thinking about what you would wear and how much love you would add to this sweet weekend. I still can't believe God gave you to us sometimes! I'm so thankful and I can't imagine not being your momma. Even when you are a pain in the butt... ;)

3/29/16

You are finally starting to cry for me. I know I shouldn't, but it makes me a little bit happy.... it is so rewarding to be wanted and needed by your sweet self. I put so much love in everything I do for you so it is so wonderful too feel that love returned. Even when you are sitting in the floor playing, you prefer to have me close by. You love to show me your toys and keep one hand on my leg or my arm just to make sure I'm around. Personally, I'd rather have a messy kitchen for a few days so I can create these memories with you, but I know there are things I need to get done most of the time. You are just a lot more fun than cleaning.

Your gums are still toothless but I can feel a lot of bumps underneath the bottom and the top now. I really hope they don't decide to all come in at once... that would be terrible. You are a strong boy though, I know you can handle it and I can't wait to see your new smile when they finally do arrive. For right now I will soak in that sweet gummy smile for as long as I can, I know I will miss it!!

As I imagined, bananas are your favorite!! I remember when you were in my belly and how excited you would get when I had anything banana, so it only makes sense. I'm glad you are a good eater, even if you won't take a bottle. Last night Gigi was watching you so I could go out to dinner with some friends while your daddy was out of town... I gave her a serving of vegetable and fruit for you to eat and then two ounces of milk for a bottle. I was hoping you would be interested since you normally like to have some milk to wash down your food after you eat. As we figured you were showing signs of wanting some milk and when she tried to give you a bottle you were not happy. She said you even pushed it away and screamed Momma one time. Again, I know it shouldn't make me happy but it does make me smile to know you need and want me! Sweet boy, I need and want you back!!

3/31/16

Solomon, you are such a mess... a big wonderful mess! You hate being put in your highchair at home, but once you are in it you get so excited to eat! You love peas, I mean who loves peas, especially babies??? When you nurse you pull your hair but only with your right hand when you are fighting sleep. Then sometimes you'll give me high fives, if you aren't tired. You are such a GOOD BABY but you are also a terrible sleeper, I didn't realize it was possible to be both until you came along. There are times when you are playing on the living room floor and you pause from what you are doing and look at me and smile so big, then you'll go back to your toys. I like to think you just want to see my face and feel thankful and happy with me around. You can play for so long now, just sitting or rolling around and spending time by yourself while I clean, cook or write these little letters to you. Sometimes when you see another toy you want you'll lift your eyebrows with excitement before going for it, it is so stinkin adorable. It's also pretty adorable how you keep your toes scrunched like I do... Gigi pointed that out since she always loved that about me, it's nice to see bits and pieces of myself in you. Goodness, I love you and I am so thankful for you. Even if I am more tired than I thought I'd be six months ago!

4/11/16

You are getting so big so fast!!! So many new things have happened this month. You are officially crawling and you aren't afraid of anything. I'm currently sitting on the hotel floor with you typing this so you won't feel the urge to crawl off the bed. Yesterday, your dad tested you to see if you would actually do it.... you did, he caught you of course but you were not afraid at all. You crawl over my legs right to the edge, you are hardly ever still now days. Thank God you like your pack and play! You are our little wild man... 

I can't believe it but you finally have your first tooth!!! After months of thinking you were teething it is a relief to finally see a little white tooth poking through. The bottom left is your first and I felt it for the first time on Wednesday, April 6th. You were chewing on my finger and it hurt so much that I screamed, then I realized why it hurt so badly. Thankfully you haven't had too much pain. We have given you motrin twice when you were screaming and crying but the rest of the time you have handled it like a champ! 

You are also loving your sippy cup!!! This makes me so happy since this means daddy and I can have some date nights or even a date day! (WOOOAAAAH!) Last night you were reaching for your cup since it still had some milk in it and you finished the last little bit and then reached for my tank top strap and started pulling on it. I thought it was so cute that you connected the two things... I'm done with this milk, give me more! haha, you are a smart boy! 

Now that you are napping on the hotel bed in Charleston I have a few minutes to just relax and get ready to spend the day out in the sunshine with you! I'm so excited to walk down to the battery and find some shade to sit under and enjoy the afternoon... You are the sweetest boy alive! 

stats // not sure since we don't have a scale here in Charleston but I will check once we get home!

eating // he loves everything, I waited two weeks to give him any sweet fruit so that way he would enjoy the veggies first but I'm glad he is still enjoying both. 
So far he has had: 
Avocado, Butternut Squash, Peas, Carrots, Banana, Blueberries, Beets & Sweet Potato

sleeping // he is waking up around 8AM now and his naps are finally becoming consistent, so much that he will go to sleep anywhere and stay asleep like he might be dead. It's honestly kind of funny! The first nap is around 10-11 and the second is around 2-3, with both naps being 1-2 hours. I just wish we could kick the third nap around 7-8 because it is a short 30 min nap and makes him not sleep for the night until 10-11.
Night time sleep is still terrible.... waking every 2-4 hours but we are co-sleeping most of the night so it's not that bad. He starts in his crib and will sleep there anywhere from 40 minutes to 3 hours but once he is awake he won't go back down in the crib, so we just put him in the bed and he sleeps for another 2-4 hour chunk. I honestly sleep better once he is in the bed next to me anyways, so it's ok.

wearing // officially moved up to 6-9 month clothing. I think I squeezed his chunky legs into 6 month pants for way too long, I just couldn't believe he was ready for 9 months already!

Still rocking the cloth diapers at home and moved up to size 4 Seventh Generation diapers at night and while traveling. 

favorite things // he is crazy about daddy! These blocks have been the best thing for those sore teething gums. My mom got one of those door frame jumpers from a co-worker that didn't need it anymore and it has been awesome, he loves it and it is helpful in hotels. Loves to FaceTime with anyone and gets so excited to see someone on the phone, I can hardly talk on speaker without FaceTime because he can't stand it, it's pretty funny!

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1st Month // 2nd Month
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5th Month // 6th Month