Seven IS Heaven!

Happy 7 months to my sweet Andrew! Little Man is growing SO much and this is such a wonderful time in his life. My Mom is visiting right now (she is upstairs rockin' that baby) and we were talking this morning about how it would be great if he just stayed this age forever. His personality is developing, he laughs and smiles all of the time, he can't "escape" yet (well, not very fast anyway) and he can't talk back! The only thing I would change right now is his teething pain. His first tooth is coming through (it's so cute) and he has had quite a bit of pain with that. The teething tablets seem to help, thank goodness, but it just hurts my heart to see him in pain. He looks at me like "make this go away, mommy". Poor guy! Other than that, he's so much fun and such a sweetheart. =)

One of his favorite things right now is EATING! He loves food, but especially fruit. He gets some fruit with every meal and often enjoys "fruit pops" in a mesh bag (he sucks the juice). One of his "treats" each day is to have a fruit pop and watch Mickey Mouse. His sweet, little face just lights up when he hears or sees Mickey. It's so cute! He's eating solids three times a day now and has tried all fruits and veggies and has just starting eating some meat (mixed with veggies). He loves some turkey! =) I'm still breastfeeding him twice a day (morning and night) and enjoy doing that. It's a special snuggle time.

I have to start back to school Monday. I have mixed emotions on this. Of course, I will miss Andrew and being able to spend all day with him. I guess all moms feel that no one can care for them like they do! However, I do miss my friends and a daily "routine". My peace lies in the fact that Andrew will be with Miss Genia, who loves him, and he LOVES her! I can't tell you (well, if you are a mom, you know) what it means to know he is cared for and happy all day, even when I'm not with him. What a blessing she is! AND, I won't have to breast pump at work, so my day will be way less stressful than it was last spring.

Here are some of Andrew's current likes and dislikes:

LIKES: eating, sitting up to play, playing peek-a-boo with a blanket over his head, being with Mommy (he has started to "fuss" when I walk away or leave the room), the color red, Mickey Mouse, swinging, paci (this really helps him with the teething pain), rocking with Daddy (always a favorite), Clifford the Big Red Dog (Edee bought it for him), getting kisses on his toes, belly, and neck, seeing Mommy or Daddy in the morning when he wakes up (he gets SO excited), reading (more like chewing on) books, Mommy singing to him, fruit pops, baths (he loves to splash), and his exersaucer (so many fun things to do).

DISLIKES: getting dressed (especially the arms), waiting on his food (very impatient), and not being fed fast enough (he needs an IV).

As you can tell by the lists, he's a very happy baby. His reflux is SO much better now with the new medicine (Prevacid); he hardly ever spits up. We do have to make sure he sits up and is fairly calm after eating, but other than that, he's fine. He may also be growing out of that stage as well. Either way, it's a blessing!

He is becoming slightly mobile. He can roll all the way over, so he can roll across the floor if he wants to. I find that most of the time he's happy sitting up with his toys, but he's not afraid to go after something if he wants it.

Andrew was able to travel some this summer. He went to PA at the beginning of the month for Kevin and Chelsey's wedding, and then to Edee and Pop's while we went to the beach. His Grammy and Gramps also visited this month (he met his cousin Tyler for the first time, and played with Lena, Amy, and Lou who came down from NC). It's always great to share him with friends and family and know that others are praying for him and lovin' on him, too. We have such a caring, loving family and I know Andrew is blessed to have them all in his life!

1/2 Birthdays and Weddings

Summer is already half over and it has been BuSy! Little Man is now 6 months old and SO much fun. He is "talking" and laughing all of the time. He has the sweetest smile and laugh, it just makes me melt inside. He loves to play peek-a-boo with a blanket (he laughs the whole time he's under it while I say "where's Andrew"). He is rolling around on the floor pretty well and can sit up for a short while on his own, but will fall over eventually. I don't think it will be too much longer before he can sit up on his own. He still LOVES to eat. He really likes fruit, but will eat anything. His least favorite seems to be green beans, but as long as I give him that first (before the fruit), then he will eat it. The Bumbo seat has been a lifesaver for feeding him and for traveling. He can't quite sit up well enough to eat in the highchair yet, so the Bumbo is perfect for him. He is trying to lean over and grab things and get out of it, so we can't walk away from him while he's in it. He is grabbing for everything around him these days. He's so observant and curious; I love it! And, of course, everything goes in his mouth. He is going to the doctor for his 6 month check-up next week, so I will give an update on his weight and height after that.

Andrew has enjoyed being in the water this summer. He has been swimming at Miss Genia's a few times and did very well in the big pool (although he prefers to be held rather than sit in the float) and we have a small pool in the backyard we use quite often. I get in it with him and he loves to kick and play with his toys. He gets a look of such determination when kicking his toys around, it's hilarious! His favorite summer treat is an "apple pop". I cut up pieces of apple and put it in a mesh bag and freeze it. He loves to suck the juice out of it. It is the only thing that keeps him quiet and still for longer than a couple of minutes. Speaking of that, little man is on the move nonstop. He is constantly kicking his feet, moving his arms, or both. He has SO much energy! I think Mommy and Daddy are going to be tired once Drew Man can crawl and walk.

Andrew is now eating solid foods three times a day and I am only nursing morning and night. He has a bottle in the afternoon. It has been nice to make the transition from nursing so often to real food. I think we are both happier. I love nursing and am so glad I am able to do it, but it's nice that I don't have to be tied down to it all day. And, when I return to work in a few weeks, I won't have to pump---PRAISE THE LORD! That was so difficult for me and very time-consuming (I was pumping at work twice a day).

He is still sleeping through the night, which is wonderful. We start the bedtime routine around 8:30 (bath and nursing) and he is usually asleep around 9:30. He wakes up between 7:30-8:00. We are still swaddling him at night to help him sleep, so I don't look forward to breaking him of that, but he will outgrow his blankets soon, so I know it will be time. He still listens to "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart to fall asleep while I bounce him in my arms. He falls asleep pretty quickly most nights.

We took Andrew to PA for the second time this past week for my brother's wedding. We had such a great time and Andrew was wonderful! I can't believe how well he did being out of his environment for a week. He was up late every night, was in his car seat a lot, but was still a trooper. The wedding was beautiful and perfect! I was honored to sing in the wedding and my Mom played piano and sang harmony. It was so special for the both of us to be able to take part in the wedding. Andrew dressed up in his tuxedo onesie and was a big hit. I'm so proud of my little brother for growing up to be such a fun, loving, and kind person. He is a man of character and I know he will make a great husband. I'm also gaining a sister! Chelsey is so gracious, caring, sweet, and beautiful. I'm so glad to have her in our family; what an awesome addition! May God bless your marriage and family! =)