Parker 6 months

Half a year already.
What a month it's been. Little man, you have been a mover... You've kept us up many nights this month due to your desire to practice your new rolling skills...and trying to learn to crawl. You've moved in 180 and 360s in your crib...it's always a surprise what position we'll find you in - in the middle of the night - or the morning.

Stats: 18lbs 10oz (75%) ; 26.5" long (50%)


Eating: You are still downing milk "like a champ" says Daddy. 5oz bottles while mommy is away; and still nursing in rapid speed. Typically nursing about 5-6x a day. 630-930-1230/1-330/4-7 and then sometime during the night -usually either at 12am or 3am.  I've tried to only feed you once at night, and would like to cut out the other feeding-since you were sleeping through at one point 6-7 weeks ago. Maybe you'll think your job is "to eat" like your sister would say when she was 18months old. :) You are definitely a bruiser...big, solid, healthy boy. We are very blessed. Wep also introduced some solids this past month. When you were 5 1/2 months old at 24 weeks we started rice cereal - not a fan. Then, oatmeal- you like; squash - you like; peas- don't like; carrots - like.

1st time - rice cereal....he's gonna be a good eater :)

mmmm...squash

Sleeping: Like I said previously- sleep has been a little rough over the past month. Typically you're going down for the night between 730 and 8pm (like your sister). For the first part of the month - you were waking up every 2-3hours and not know what you wanted - you weren't hungry, you were just overtired, and waking yourself up moving around. We tried some "cry it out" - but didn't work very well the first part of the month. We've since tried it again - and given you a little "lovie" - taggies security blanket - which has helped you to self soothe. Now, you're still waking up at least once per night, sometimes 2x - but only feeding 1x.  Nap times have been variable. Sometimes napping 1-2hrs 3x per day; other days liking the cat naps of 30-45 minutes. We're trying to be patient...we know you'll figure it out someday soon. - and then mommy and daddy will be a little more functional and less sleep deprived. Coffee.is.good.

Still loves sleeping on his side...

Milestones: You've been continuing to work on your skill of sitting up on your own - but we keep the boppy pillow behind you just in case you fall backwards - or your sissy knocks you over on accident.- because she loves to sit RIGHT next to you.
- Going from sitting to your belly - pretty controlled fall as you go to reach for a new toy
-Rolling over both directions now - rolling on the floor and in your crib (which has helped a little with sleep)
-Pivoting around on your belly
-Reaching for things - and putting everything in your mouth. - Definitely teething.
-Pushing up on your arms fully extended
-Rocking on hands and knees - prepping yourself to start crawling - any day now.

Playing: You do a great job sitting up now, and we spread out your toys all around you- so you can reach them - even if you have to roll over to your belly to get to them...you're trying to learn to crawl anyway. Addison loves that you can just sit on the floor now, and she and you play together (read books, look at different toys). She is really a great teacher with you...teaching you what different objects and colors are...and taking your hand to feel different textures. - apple doesn't fall far from the tree with this role playing.
Parker, you also like to jump up and down in the exersaucer. Your favorite toys are your teether toys...especially Sophie the giraffe that you shove into your mouth, and your rings and rattles. You also like to learn cause and effect by pushing buttons on toys that light up or make noise.

Your (girl)friend, Michaela...

Your first tea party with big sissy Addy.

 Out and about - taking you and Addison with me all over the place now a little easier.  You like to watch the world all around and check out all your new surroundings.  We've gone on lots of walks to the park with Addison - you both love the big double stroller - and think it's so cool to sit next to each other. We took you to the zoo on 4/28/13 - you both enjoyed yourselves-and your eyes were WIDE OPEN for the first 2 hours rolling around- before you crashed into a nap. I've taken you shopping - both grocery and other stores and you are really so good just hanging out in your seat. :) You are my happy little boy.

Love sitting outside right now...and you are obsessed with your puppy Kali...you love just watching her...and of course petting her. Kali is of course loving all the attention. 

Love your personality right now...

Welcome Jaxon Burton Jones!

Jaxon was born on Mon. April 1st, 2013 - surprise early arrival - that we originally thought was an April Fools Day joke by my brother. But, no, little man just wanted to join us all a little earlier than expected.  He was born healthy at almost 6lbs and 18.5" long to proud parents Brian and Sarah.
Sarah's water broke at work - and she called Brian to meet her at the hospital to get checked out. They were in such a hurry that they weren't even able to stop home to get their bags - they had a friend bring them to the hospital - thank goodness! - and just arrived in time as Sarah was getting prepped for her c-section.
Brian was able to get some great photo's of the birth - and he was out in less than 30 seconds! The miracle of medicine.

He has a full head of black, thick hair - and very healthy coloring. Not sure who he looks like yet - a good mixture of mommy and daddy I think. :)

I was able to meet my nephew the next evening after work - and I brought my mom along with me. We both instantly fell in love with this new little guy.

Brian really had reality hit when we showed up in the room - he was REALLY a DAD! I am so happy for my big brother to now be able to experience the amazing joy it is to be a parent. It definitely isn't always easy or fun - but worth every minute.




Unfortunately, I came down with a nasty sinus infection - and couldn't go back to see the little guy for almost 2.5 weeks. Adam, Addison, Parker and I all went up to visit our little nephew and cousin. Addison fell in love as well- and she is so excited to have her own little cousin! Parker was very interested too in what Jaxon was doing- and the two of them will be a duo for sure. 5 months apart they'll be - and i'm sure best of friends. I am very excited that our kids will be able to grow up together.

 Big Cousin Addison was SOOOO excited to meet baby Jaxon...and instantly fell in love as well. Now she has 2 little babies (real ones) that she gets to take care of...and boss around one day. :)

Do we really both have kids now?!

Happy, beautiful, natural mommy Sarah

Welcome little man, can't wait to see you again soon! 

Parker 5 months

Developmental Milestones:
Has officially discovered his feet...see above! Is fascinated with his little toes..and likes to take his socks off.

Sitting up - since 4.5 months - pretty much can sit by himself- just needs to have a pillow behind him in case he loses his balance and falls backwards. He does pretty well when falling forward or to the sides to catch himself- and slowly makes his way to his belly.  This really makes me think he'll be crawling VERY soon. - I guess around 6 months. He is very motivated to move- especially with his big sister. I bet he can't wait to crawl and chase her around the house.

First time sitting up on 3/16/13

Rolling - he's rolling more from his belly to back - but still wakes himself up at night getting stuck on his belly. He can do it...he just needs more practice and belly time! :)



Eating:
He's still doing well with breastfeeding and growing well. He's eating about every 3-4hrs during the day now. Typically 5x day now - 630, 930, 1230, 330/4; and 7/730. And sometimes in the middle of the night. I'm sure he'll be excited to start on cereal next month and some real food. He's a healthy, growing boy that's for sure!

My little chubby babies..."chub chubs" as Addy calls him. and yes...she is slimming down. :)

All he would sleep in for 2 weeks...

Sleeping:
Typically is taking 3 naps per day: 2 long morning naps 1-2hrs and then a long afternoon nap 1-2 hrs and a short one before dinner. He was sleeping through the night (8pm-6am) pretty consistently the first part of the month (March) but the past 2 weeks he's gone back to waking up 1-2 times per night. Frustrating for us because we can't seem to figure out what his deal is. I'm trying not to feed him at night so that he can get back into the routine of sleeping through the night and not expecting to be fed at night. He's been a good sleeper since he was born- but we're ready for him to let us sleep some more at night. Adam and I agree that it's been too long since we've had a good night sleep...I guess it could always be worse.

How our mornings usually start now a days...everyone piles in to mommy and daddy's bed.

Loves bath time - this was the first trial of them together in a bath - and only for a while. The bumbo seat I attempted to use for this just wanted to float... Cute though. :)

Playing:
His Favorite entertainment is Addison - big sissy. He watches her all day long...and just laughs and smiles at her. He thinks she's hysterical; and mesmerizing. Parker's also discovered our big black lab - Kali and looks at her in amazement - I don't think he knows what to think of her yet. Kali loves him just like Addison, and has been sleeping in his room a lot lately.

Reaching, grabbing, raking toys his way all the time...then switching from hand to hand...and then in the mouth for a taste. Likes to hold all different objects and textures, rattles, books, blocks, teethers, stuffed toys, blankets, etc.



Excersaucer "his office" is the big hit most of the time. He just jumps up and down in it and laughs, smiles and turns himself around to all the toys - and the toys that Addison puts in there for him. He can watch us and play himself - it's a win-win for everyone.



Reading books- Addison loves to read books to Parker still...and will continue on for a long time i'm sure. He enjoys looking, touching the pages and seems to really be interested in what we are telling him.
Peek-a-boo: loves playing this game and laughs so hard!
Pat - a - Cake: loves playing this game too, and Addy likes to practice her letters for all the "mark it with a "P", "A", etc" for the whole family.

 

 

Little man and I on St. Patty's Day

Parker's First Easter...in his very own Easter basket. :) March 31st, 2013. More to come. :)

Addison update

It's been awhile since I did an update on Miss Rose. She's been taking her role seriously as, big sister, as evident by Parker's monthly posts.  But, she has continued to develop herself.

Vocabulary: really, quite amazing to me and most people she meets. Her "teachers" at school say that she is talking like a 4yr old and that they can have full conversations with her unlike any of the other kids in the room. "she's the smartest in the class". I think she sometimes relates to and talks to the teachers more than the kids. Typically talks in 10-15 word sentences; and can fully express her wants, needs, likes and DISLIKES.  She also likes to tell US what WE want, or need....especially Parker. She is the boss.



Personality: She continues to light up any room she walks into, and continues to be "the mayor". She needs to know WHO everyone is, and their relationship to everyone. ie: "Parker is my brother; and he's your son mommy" and "Grandma Jones is your mommy." She's a little diva and princess, and likes to play dress up and wear "a pretty dress" everyday. She likes to walk around the house in her play dress up clothes, tights and "glass slippers". I think she walks better in heels than I do. And can even wear my heels and boots without losing her balance. She likes to dress up and turn on Pandora and dance to music with us. She does NOT like the word "NO", and continues to test the boundaries of how far she can push things and us before she gets into trouble.  ie: pulling on her brother, jumping off furniture, throwing things, making a mess, etc. However, she continues to be my sweet baby girl, and likes to give cuddles and kisses as well.

Cheesy Smiles

Loves: to read books to herself, Parker, us, and her "friends". Her "guys" include: Elmo, Cinderella, and baby doll. - she takes them everywhere with her. around the house, to the bathroom, out of the house. She still loves putting people "nigh-night" and covering them up, over and over again. - she likes to play this game with mommy and daddy too. :);  to play dress up!






Songs: Loves to sing all sorts of songs. Mary Poppins supercalifrag...is still her favorite; especially the broadway version. She just learned "I'm a little teapot", The "bear hunt" song/book is also her favorite right now and likes to act it out. Also: "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"; "No more pacifier for piggy", Beranstein Bears "New Baby", "where the wild things are", "goldilocks", and of course Cinderella and Snow White.

My little helper in the kitchen...loves to cook...preferably bake. Here she is frosting cupcakes for Daddy's bday

Fell asleep at the dinner table 2x in the past few months after refusing her nap earlier that day

Still my baby girl

Love this...

Long legs..thinning out

New skills: She's learning how to cut - and says "Mommy, I want to cut stuff" with her safety scissors. She's definitely prefers lefty still...which makes it difficult to show her how to cut things. Grandpa Jones-we need your help! and Jigsaw puzzles...28 piece puzzles that "I can do it by myself".

Movies: New ones lately include, "the Wizard of Oz", "Tangled", "Cinderella", "Peter Pan", "Brave"

TV shows: "Backyardigans", "Yo Gabba Gabba"

Still Loves bath time...and can't wait for summer to go swimming more in the pool!