Patriots Go 16-0!!!

Andrew, can you believe it?
You have been treated to a phenomenal first 6 months in baseball and football!!! Tonight, the Patriots ended an incredible, record-setting season vs. the NY Giants with a nail-biter win of 38-35. Tom Brady set a record for 50 touchdowns thrown in a season. Rally time with Dad!!!

Playing with his talking dog. He loves it! Best of all, there is an easy to touch "off " button;D

Christmas in Maine

Uncle Willy and Gigi watch us play in the snow.

16-month-old Vivien went down all by herself!!!
Fearless, like her Mom and her Auntie.

Uncle Willy and Grandpa. Dad is on the porch.
Andrew was napping while we were out sledding.

Cousins. Andrew did not like it when Viv tried to play with his toys and would start to scream!

Viv striking a rock star pose.

Christmas presents galore!!! Dad and I took turns unwrapping them with Andrew.
Note that he has on a bib- poor little guy has started teething. We kept him comfortable with infant Tylenol. He had a slight fever and was generally fussy. The drool faucet is on!

He liked shaking this present.

We had Christmas Eve dinner at Aunt Wendy & Uncle Matt's.

Andrew was mesmerized by their ceiling fan.

Aunt Wendy set up Viv's old gym so Andrew could use it.
Vivy gave it a whirl first to show him how it's done.

Andrew loved his first sled ride, with Grandpa pushing him along!

Sweet Potatoes

They're delicious- Mom even likes them!

Check out my new ride!

This marvelous, cushy little car showed up on our doorstep yesterday!

Thank you to Aunt Melissa, Uncle Chris and Christopher!

Snow!

Shake, shake, shake.

Little Buddy

The past few days, Andrew has really been transforming.
Well, how is that any different?
He has become more exacting with his hands. He can reach, pick objects up, explore and shake them.... He's also very active, looking around all around and being a little jumping jack.

Today we had an especially good day even though I was busy getting ready for his first Christmas. Not even a single crying episode! We had a great time, smiles, raspberries, "MmmmMmm"s, "hah hah hah hah"s, admiring strangers and all.

He also has been keeping a good nap schedule of 10-11am then 2:30-3:30.
Bedtime is around 7pm and he wakes around 7 as well.

This past week, we have been going through a struggle of getting out of mommy's cozy bed.
It all started when we were "nurse-napping" during the day- (hehe, I did get in a couple books) which led to his waking around the time I went to bed, "Oh, can I join you?"-Of course, you cozy cute little baby!
Then on tired nights, my relenting to his cries and letting him "spend the night" which led to more nights.... Well, you get the picture. Obviously, being in bed with a warm body to cozy up to is nice! But, alas, not so nice when baby knows the milk bar is open...all night long.... and mommy wants to not be woken by baby's constant stirring every couple hours. He is also more aware now and so just walking past the bed got a reaction from him.
I am happy to say, 1 week after this problem resolution has started, that things are going well.
Granted, there have been a few crying episodes- the worst have been a couple nights at 1-3am, lasting as long as 45 minutes.
And so it goes, (the ol' mommy mantra), just when you think baby is figured out, he'll go ahead and change things on you.

Moments ago he awoke crying and said a distinct "Mom" when I picked him up!
It was so neat- how does he know to say that? I guess we do refer to me as Mom and Alex as Dad. I said, "What honey, I am here."
And after a few gracious glugs, he went back to sleep.

You may wonder how we've been sticking out this whole breastfeeding thing. Honestly, it has surpised me. After all, I was fed formula from the start, and so were a lot of babies my age.
Before baby, I hoarded all the freebie formula and coupons I could get ahold of. We still have 6 canisters, if there are any takers around. But after a smell and taste of that stuff, and the realization of the benefits he gets from Mom (immunity, bonding, perhaps "refined" taste)- I am pleased we've been able to keep the course. Best of all, Andrew hasn't had any illness yet! (Knock on wood.)

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, aap.org,
"Breastfeeding has advantages for infants, mothers, families, and society. These advantages include health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychologic, social, economic, and environmental benefits." They also recommend not feeding other foods until 6 months.

Now, with the introduction of foods, alas, we are around the second half of that relationship (and towards stinky diapers;;;).
Speaking of feeding, today Tevukas fed him his first taste of sweet potatoes!~ They were yum, yum, yum, gooood!

This was 2 days ago...
A sudden inexplicable cry. Frustration with a toy?

2 seconds later... All better.

He prefers to be on his belly nowadays.

Blech!

Today Andrew tasted apples for the first time.

With Daddy

What a wintry past 4 days! We received 8" of fluffy snow on Thursday then probably another 8" today before the fluff turned to "slizzle" and became very heavy to move.
Mom got out to help (with baby monitor in pocket) during his 10am nap.
Daddy was hard working all day long, clearing it all.
We're wondering, "When will Andrew be able to help out?" LOL!
We also took out our living room carpet (so that it doesn't get trashed!): our first step towards baby proofing. The wood floor is glistening and beautiful now. No shoes!
Though Andrew was corralled on his 4'x4' foam tiles over the weekend, we realize that he is rapidly wanting to expand that territory.
Today, after rolling onto his belly and enjoying it for some length of time, he could then roll to his back more easily. Good! (Andrew loves to say "Geek" lately so I tell him, "All the geeks are doing it," to egg him on.) Today a loud "baba" was new, though we heard it once.
Big noises this past week are those oft-heard about raspberries (pbbbbt!!) and "mmm" also this old-man-without-teeth thing where he sucks in his lower lip. A cry of "ma-ma-ma" also comes out more clearly when he's distressed for hunger or sleep now.
Little monkey enjoyed around 2 Tbs of banana today.

Andrew Live!

I took these videos with my cell phone today- explains the poor quality. BUT, they do show him in action! He wouldn't stay on his back! Now that he knows how to roll over, he does, then gets frustrated and needs assistance to turn back. Warning: he is very vocal in these clips!

Christmas party at B.L. Makepeace

Hmmm, what do I want from Santa for my first Christmas?

Oooh, look what Santa brought!

Let's get this present opened!We had a good time though it was more of a social experiment for Andrew. When we first arrived, he was well-napped and fed, no issues there.... But all the people! AH!!! He threw a major fit an was inconsolably crying for a while. I was tempted to leave but eventually he settled down and had some smiles. It's tough being a baby, new to all the different faces that want to just squeeze and admire him! Look how silly: he is already outgrowing his santa suit- his big toe bust through!

This picture with the Makepeace gals was taken 6 months ago at the work cookout/baby shower. It was a HOT 90+ day. Now they're trying to advertise "mother's hours" to get me back. Andrew is my new full time job and we wouldn't have it any other way!

5 months old!

Oh what a big boy he is! It's almost becoming difficult to (sigh) refer to Andrew as a baby- look at him!
Andrew is so proud of his latest accomplishment: he can move backwards! He pushes his feet down/arches his back and slides back! Geez- reminds me of how that position was fun and actually easy in elementary-school "crab soccer". He's getting stronger, fast!

Reading bedtime stories is now a favorite treat- and often inspires a poop! Lol~