It's been a while...

(Baby B LOVES the beach!!!)

Gosh, it's been a while since I have wrote a blog. What a bad mommy I have been!!! Well, Blake is 8 1/2 months old now. He is growing so fast, he can roll over by himself, though rolling back over has proved to be more difficult! He is a total little chatterbox & singer. He sits up by himself and he can even stand on his own propped up against the couch or something like that. He plays peek-a-boo, he will pull the blanket over his face then push it off waiting for me to give him a 'BOO!' and he rewards me with the cutest, most heartwarming giggle! He is becoming quite a little man, he will let you know when he is mad or if he wants something. He gets mad if he is left alone in a room and he always wants to be on the move, though not being fully mobile puts a damper on that! He is a mover, though mobility is only through the help of his walker, there is NO sign of crawling anywhere. I have tried to get him to do it, but he will get super mad and just bury his face in the carpet and scream. Speaking of screaming... He realizes how loud his voice is now and just will scream. Not because he is mad, but because screaming is fun. Of course he does it at the most inopportune times. He is officially too big for his swing, it still sits in our living room. It's the last 'newborn' thing left... I have to put it away but I don't want to... It will probably sit there for a little bit longer!

(Daddy & Blake.)

(Mommy & Blake.)

Last week, we took Blake on his first long distance vacation. We took him to visit his Uncle Dave in San Luis Obispo. He didn't make a peep during the 5 hour drive and he was such a good baby during the rest of the vacation. He slept through the night in his pack and play. I was super happy about this because when we took B on a overnight trip to Reno to visit his cousins he would not sleep in it. Noah ended up sleeping in a recliner in the family room with Blake on that visit... Good thing it is a comfy recliner!!!

(Uncle Dave, Mommy, & the little chicken.)

Anyhow, we took Blake to downtown SLO and to Avila Beach. It was B's first trip to the beach and he thought the sand was the greatest thing. He would take a handful of it in his hand, but it would pour out in between his fingers so when he would open his hand to see it there wouldn't be anymore sand. It was so cute! It was so nice to spend time with Uncle Dave since we don't really get to see him too often and B doesn't get to play with him too much. Blake, Uncle Dave, & Kristina had 4 days of playing & feeding... No diaper changes though! It was such a great trip, the only thing missing were the doggies!

Next week we are taking a trip to Pajaro Dunes. Blake had so much fun at the beach so I am super excited to take him to the beach again!!!

(This sand stuff is the best!!!)

On a Roll...

Blake is now a lot more mobile thanks to his Cousin Keaton. Keaton let us borrow his baby walker and now B is ALL OVER THE PLACE. He crazy-loves this thing!!! I officially had to start the baby proofing around the house because he got into a basket full of gaming supplies (batteries, wires, ect.) in the entertainment center. He also found where his toys are kept in the family room and would try to pull the cubby off the shelf! He loves chasing the dogs around the house and 'running over' Timber when he's lying on the floor. The walker is genius for us because our whole house is tile so he can cruise where ever he wants. I guess it's only more and more baby proofing from here!

(First, he found his toy cubby...)

(Then he pulled it out...)

(Then he made his way over to the couch...)

(Then he spotted Timber and tried to get him... Timber's head is not missing, he's just itching his foot!)

Who's Kid Is This???

(Baby B in his brand new jogging stroller...)

I can't believe it's been 20 days since I have last posted a blog... I feel like I am being such a bad mom since this is essentially Blake's baby book! Anyhow, obviously a few things have happened since my last post. First, Blake is officially rolling on his own... That means he rolls over without me dangling a toy in his face or making annoying noises or doing an embarrassing dance. He makes a new face, the 'scrunchy' face, and he claps all the time. He thinks clapping is so much fun!

(How cute is he?!?!)

Second, it was Easter. He had a bunch of pictures taken at Picture People and I had purchased a bundle of one pose off of Living Social. Unfortunately, the down side to having a child who hams it up in front of the camera is that he doesn't take one single bad picture. Instead of the visit only costing the $18 I had previously paid, it ended up being over $100 dollars. He smiled in EVERY single picture, and they were all so cute! Then we went over to see the Easter Bunny. B was so in love with the gigantic pink bunny. He would stare at it (Is it a boy or a girl???), then pull on it's fur and bow tie, then he gave the camera a brief smile before awing over it again. For Easter Sunday we spent it at both grandparents house, he got lots of loot, and his cousin, Annabelle, even found him some eggs during the Easter egg hunt. It was such a fun day!

(Little Boo Boo Chicken and the Easter Bunny.)

Lastly, baby B had his last physical therapy appointment. He had progressed so well that he has officially graduated from PT. We also had a quick trip to his pedi to check on a few things. Blake weighs a whopping 20 pounds! What a cute little beefcake! He also had to have a flu shot booster, the injection nurse came in and gave him his shot and he did not cry. He didn't even make a peep! Who's kid is this??? I totally cry when the doctor tells me I have to get a shot, and it doesn't phase Blake one bit!!!! He may have my eyes, nose, & sleeping habits but other than that this tough kid is all daddy! =)

(Duck & Goose Loving.)

6 Month Stats... A Half a Month Later...

(Baby B getting ready for our day trip to Chico.)

I have been meaning to blog about Blake's 6 month stats but I really have been on the go. He had a long trip to the doctors on the 24th, he saw Erin, his physical therapist as well as his pediatrician. Erin says Blake is doing awesome! He still has absolutely NO interest in rolling over, though when he is on his belly he will roll over onto his back by himself. Erin says it's okay though because she knows he can do it, she says he is such a 'chill' baby that nothing motivates him to do it. He is perfectly content however we leave him! Blake will have to see her one more time before he is discharged.

(Trying out the Sippy Cup thing.)

Then we went up for his six month check up. He was a trooper as usual! He is 18 pounds, 11.4 ounces, which is in the 69th Percentile. He is 27 3/4 inches tall, which is in the 87th Percentile. And his head is 17 1/2 inches around, which is in the 68th Percentile. His percentiles are a little lower this time around (except for his head) which is normal at this time as this is when growth isn't so drastic. He is still at the middle-bottom of the charts for his weight for length. He may look beefy, but is a tall, skinny kid!

(Blake LOVING his snackies...)

He did get shots and like every other time he cried for about a minute and then was quickly over it. Mommy did better this time too! =) Unfortunately he won't get another check-up until he is a year old. Yay for no more shots!

(Sharing is Caring...)

Raising the next Brad Pitt...

(My beautiful baby BOY!!!)

I know mommy's tend to be biased when it comes to their own babies. I always say I have the cutest baby EVER, but what mommy doesn't?!? Up until lately people would stop me and tell me how cute my baby is, but lately it has turned into how beautiful my baby is. Let me say that Blake is always dressed like a little boy, he always wears blues or greens or red and my son does not have a single pink polo shirt in his closet. All of his blankets are blue or green or white with dogs on them, his diaper bag and stroller might be the only two unisex things he owns and even then they are both green and gray. So, why is it that people think Blake David is a little girl??? It hasn't happened just once, but multiple times!

The first time was in Costco. I was walking down the aisle with Blake and a lady stopped to tell me how beautiful my baby is. She then proceeded to ask if he was a boy or girl, and then told me that he is so beautiful it is hard to tell. Ummm... He is wearing a red sweatshirt with navy blue dogs on it, a pair of jeans, and black sneakers.... It's not that hard to tell. I shrugged it off though, at least she asked what he was!

Then there was the lady in Target. "What a beautiful baby girl you have right there!!!" I was taken back, I couldn't even correct her. He was wearing a blue sweatshirt and had a blue blanket. There was no mistaking that one. I smiled and said thanks and went on my way. I told Noah what happened and he thought I had him in a dress or something...

This morning I tried to drop him off in the daycare at the gym but they were full. I made a daycare reservation for later in the day and she told me how cute she is and asked what her name was. I told her HIS name is Blake and then she corrected herself. Seriously?! Today he was wearing a Navy Blue sweatshirt... I just don't get it!!!

I know I thought he was a girl when I was pregnant but come on... He is 100% boy. He looks like a boy and dresses like a little boy! Shortly after the Target incident my friend wrote on my facebook wall that during an interview Brad Pitt commented that when he was a baby he, too, was mistaken for a girl. I guess that means my little one might just be the next Brad Pitt... I guess being called a girl isn't that bad! lol!!!

There is no one I love more than my 6 month old Baby Blake.

(My beautiful blue-eyed 6 month old!)

My baby Blake turns 6 months old today! I can not believe he is half a year old!!! He has rung in his 1/2 birthday with a few gifts, (though everyday is gift with him!) the first thing is that he has a tooth! It is his bottom left front tooth and I was very surprised to find it! A few weeks ago I had looked in his mouth to see if he was teething, there was nothing and no swollen gums. He hasn't had any teething signs- no swollen gums, no excessive drooling, no low grade fever, ect. He does suck his thumb but he has always been a little thumb sucker. So imagine my surprise when he puts my finger in his mouth and chomps down! Let me tell you, baby teeth are super sharp!!! Despite my finger injury, I have said it before and I will probably say it again a thousand times... What a good little baby and what lucky parents we are!

(Blake's first chomper.)

I don't have any 6 month stats yet. He usually sees his pedi every two months on the 18th but this month the 18th fell on a Friday and his doctor doesn't work on Fridays so those will have to wait until he is 6 months, 6 days old! Anyhow, at 6 months, Blake is growing both physically and mentally every day! He still has some of the same favorites, duck & goose, blankets, his alien, but he has some new favorites as well! He loves his new highchair, he loves to laugh, he has always loved TV but he especially loves shows where they sing, like Glee & American Idol... If it's a song he likes he will sing along in baby gibberish! He is getting so good at using his hands, he will grab things and he even knows how to scoot his car along the high chair tray! He still loves his swing but he is starting to get too big for it so it isn't used nearly as much as it used to be, it it's place is the jumperoo! He can stay in that thing forever! Blake loves his food! So far he been through all the vegetables- peas, green beans, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes... He loves them all! He has also eaten applesauce, pears, prunes, mangoes, & mashed potatoes. There is nothing my little beefcake won't eat! In fact, if I don't shovel the food in his mouth fast enough he will take the spoon out of my hand and feed himself!

(Blake at a few days old...)

He still hates rolling over and won't do it unless there is some help or serious motivation! But when he is on his stomach he can 'Army crawl' or scoot around. He might just crawl before he rolls over! He can sit up pretty good though he doesn't stay seated very well and will just fall over. Good thing he thinks the falling over is pretty funny! He loves his doggies more and more every day. He even reached for Lily and said 'gie?' I don't know if that is coincidence or if doggie is really going to be his first word! I can honestly say I am so blessed to have such an incredible family, fur babies and all! Blake's little wide mouthed smile warms my heart everytime I see it!!! I love that little man more than anything!

(and now... same basket, 6 months later!)

Bed Time Blues.

(My beautiful, newborn, sleepy Blake David.)

Let me start off by saying that Noah & I are the luckiest parents in the world to have such a good baby. In fact, 'good' doesn't even come close to cutting it... He's more like a phenomenal baby. Blake, has always been a good eater, a trooper when we are out and about, and a great sleeper (a trait he must have inherited from his mommy!) Anyhow, we have always let him cry it out at bed and nap times. Now, before anyone grabs their pitchforks and pillage, I have to say I know that a lot of mommies hate this method, but it has worked for us. We have used this method since Blake was a newborn, and I can honestly say I think it contributes to why Blake is such a good baby. We always make sure he was/is fed, dry, and not sick, and as a newborn we were informed by our doctor that newborn babies could cry for up to three hours a day total for no reason. I never had a problem with using the cry it out method, I never felt like he believed we were abandoning him or that we didn't love him... Until now.

(And now... Sleepy time cuddles with Duck.)

Blake is going to be 6 months old tomorrow and obviously much more aware of his surroundings. He still hardly cries and every once in a while he will cry in his crib when we put him down for the night. It used to not bother me, but it does now. I can not stand hearing him cry because I know that he knows that I am awake and can soothe him. While Noah tells me that we should just let him cry, I can only do it for like 5 minutes before I go rushing in. After a little rocking and a big hug and kiss, I can put him back down in his crib still awake and he will then go right to sleep.

(I love that sweet, sleepy face!)

So, I just don't get it. When I told our pediatrician that we let B cry it out at his 4 month appointment, he told us it was too early to sleep train him, and that we should wait until he turns 6 months. But it so much worse now, now that I know Blake is much more aware and knows that we left him alone. I am normally such a stickler for following the pedi's rules and recommendations, but not on this. Call this one mommy's intuition, but with Blake, crying it out as a little baby has made bed time as a bigger baby much more manageable with a child who, 98% of the time, is happy to go to bed on his own.

(All cozy during nap time!)