Sullivan {8 months}

 This smile never gets old! :)

 Check out that drool...

Crawling all over the place!

Stats: He just had a check up and weighed 17lb. 13 oz. I was surprised he wasn't bigger, but now that he is crawling, I guess he is burning alot more calories during the day.

Firsts: First Easter! He got some pajamas, sippy cups, and books. First time sitting up in the buggy at the store-- this is HUGE! It makes grocery shopping so much better! First wagon ride. First time swinging at the park. 

Milestones: Crawling! At about 7.5 months, Sullivan started crawling. He kept waking up in the middle of the night and would be on his hands and knees rocking and trying to crawl. He only did it at night, not during the day at all, for about a week. Then he started rolling over and pulling straight up on his hands and knees. He never army crawled at all. He is already getting pretty fast now too! He pulled up to his feet for the first time this month too. This is alot harder for him and I've only seen him do it twice so far. Another milestone he hit this month is sleeping through the night! It isn't completely consistent yet, but he has had several nights of sleeping from 8-6. Then he eats and goes back to sleep until about 7:30. Hope this continues!!

Food: He is still doing the same food routine pretty much. He fusses alot with meals if you don't feel him fast enough. Haha! He really likes the pouch foods and pouch applesauce too. 

Sleep: Finally starting to sleep through the night! I don't want to speak too soon, but I am hoping he continues sleeping well!! He still takes 3 naps, but he fights the last one more now so I will probably have to cut that one out soon. It is usually right around the time I am making dinner, but it is nice for him to rest and me to cook dinner without him at my feet but that's probably about to change. 

Our days: Our schedule has been pretty much the same this month. We haven't traveled quite as much so it's been nice to be home in our routine. Sullivan is still easy going and will nap on the go pretty easily. 

Favorites: I love that Sullivan can play and entertain himself more now that he is crawling. If he gets bored with a toy, he just crawls and gets a new one. He is really starting to understand and play with his toys now too. I am also loving this sleeping all night thing!! :)

Sullivan {7 months}

 Pushing up!

 He is a CRAZY drooler...

 Funny teething face

Ready for some March Madness!

Stats: No official stats. He is wearing mostly 9 and 12 month clothes so he is a big boy!

Firsts: First tooth! First trip to the zoo. Went to see Disney Junior Live On Tour with Janny in Mobile. First vacation to the beach with the Thaxton family in Destin. First time meeting cousin Ward (they are less than 5 months apart). First Easter egg hunt. First time in a bouncy house (he was NOT a fan. haha!). First wedding for my cousin Marc and Tiffany.

Milestones: Sitting up!!! Yay!!! He is doing so great sitting up by himself! He also got his first 2 teeth on the bottom this month!

Food: Sully is loving some food now! He eats oatmeal cereal with some fruit in it for breakfast, then usually a fruit for lunch and a veggie for dinner. He also loves puffs. He isn't very good at picking them up yet, but he is working on it. He nurses one time about 4am and then every 3-4 hours during the day.

Sleep: He is sleeping good. He hasn't figured out how to put his pacifier back in at night. Maybe one day he will figure that out and let me get some more consecutive hours of sleep. 

Our days: We have had lots of fun traveling and outings this month. Sullivan is such a trooper and is a great traveler. He is very chill and "go with the flow." That definitely helps with not having to stick to a super strict schedule during the day. He usually takes 3 naps- 2 long at about 9am and 1pm and 1 short at about 4:30. 

Favorites: I love how ticklish Sully is right now. He is so easy to get to laugh so Caroline has loved that too. I also love that he can sit up now! He likes playing and chewing on toys while he sits there. It is definitely easier to keep him entertained since he can sit up.

Sullivan {6 months}

Long little man

 Laughing at Mommy

Chewing on EVERYTHING! 

Stats: 16 lb 14 oz (32%), 26.5in (35%)

Firsts: First time swinging outside in his swing. First time visiting Samford Hall to take some pictures. First time to the trailer in Auburn where Mommy and Daddy lived as newly weds. First time sitting in his high chair. First Valentine's Day (went to Mobile and to a Japanese steak house for Colonel's birthday). 

Milestones: He is rolling over like a pro!! He is working on sitting up... Hopefully he will master that this next month. He is sitting up well with the boppy around him but he still tips over a lot. 

Food: I have tried a few new foods but he still doesn't care for it much. His doctor said to start some oatmeal cereal so we will see if he likes that! He is still nursing like a champ. About every 3-3.5 hours during the day and one time at night. 

Sleep: His sleep hasn't changed much. He normally needs his pacifier one time, I feed him one time, and he is awake about 7. 

Our days: We are enjoying a little warmer weather so we have enjoyed swinging outside and going on walks more. He likes his jumparoo and sitting up in his high chair like a big boy! 

Favorites: Watching him learn new things and enjoy playing more is so fun! He really enjoys his jumparoo and will just laugh and babble while playing in it. I love having cousins close in age to my kids. We went to Atlanta for Uncle James Robert's birthday so it was so fun to have all the kids together! He is still a very chill and easy going baby. We are so thankful he is a healthy, happy, and handsome baby boy! :) 

Sullivan {5 months}

Big man!

He is such a happy boy!

Big sister wanted to take some pictures too :)

Haha!! She was giving him a kiss in this picture!

Bright eyes!

Stats: No official stats this month. We have another check up at 6 months.

Firsts: First trip with just Mommy and Daddy- we went to Savannah with Daddy on a business trip (Big sis stayed with grandparents)! First really good laughs. He is super ticklish so it is pretty easy to make him laugh. First time in exersaucer- this was entertainment for Sully and Caroline. Haha! First time getting poked in the eye by Caroline... probably not the last. Ha! First Super Bowl party with friends- John Luke Henry and Olivia Farr. :)

Milestones: LOVES to laugh at Caroline! She will run around, "tickle him," and make all sorts of funny faces and noises to try to get him to laugh. It is so fun watching them enjoy each other!

Sully is now sleeping with one arm unswaddled- he kept breaking it free during the night. He isn't sleeping as great as he was. He usually wakes up several times and just has to be soothed with his paci. I am feeding him 1 (sometimes 2) times at night also. It is tiring, but I know it is just a phase and won't last forever.

He has become quite a "talker" this month. He loves to babble and make noises.

He also likes to hit his tummy/chest with his arms- we call it "the tarzan." :)

He loves tummy time now and actually turned over this month! Woo hoo!

Food: I tried feeding him some avacado but he didn't care for it at all. I am going to try some different things these next few weeks. Hopefully we will find something he likes. 

Sleep: He is still sleeping alright. He takes 3 naps a day right now and I am nursing him one time (sometimes 2 times) at night, usually around 12 and 3am. He gets up for the day between 7 and 8. 

Our days: Our days are filled with lots of rolling over now! He is working on sitting up but he really enjoys just laying down and rolling for now. 

Favorites: I think my favorite thing will always be watching Sullivan and Caroline playing and interacting. I love seeing his sweet smile when I walk in his room each morning. No matter how many times he woke up that night, everything is fine when I see him smile! :)

Sullivan {4 months}

Big sister had to sneak in a picture!

Stats: 14lb 10oz (17%) and 25.5in (56%)

Firsts: First time actually enjoying tummy time. First Christmas parade in Pensacola. Played baby Jesus in the Christmas music program at Olive (he did GREAT!!). First time meeting Santa. First trip to Huntsville. Christmas Eve service at Southside. Christmas morning at Gigi and Pappy's house. First Thaxton family photo shoot in Providence. First time being sick... Respiratory virus and ear infection :( First breathing treatments (and hopefully the last). 

Milestones: Consistently going about 8 hours between feedings at night. Yay! Hope this trend continues! He is also sleeping in his own bed at night now. If he gets kinda restless in the early morning, I bring him in our room to the pack and play just so he is closer to soothe back to sleep. He is holding his head up much better during tummy time. He still doesn't enjoy it for long, but he is getting stronger. He can hold his head up easily while sitting up supporting on my lap now. Another milestone Sully hit this month was finding his hands. He loves to chew and suck on them now. 

Food: Sullivan is nursing every 3 hours during the day. He has a longer stretch at the beginning of the night, and gets up around 2 and 5 to eat. He is an easy nurser and usually only takes about 10 minutes. He could start solids now, but I think I am going to wait until 6 months.

Sleep: We have been in a pretty good routine of sleep even with being out of town so much at Christmas. He naps on the go well so we didn't have to slow down and stay home for him to nap when we were out of town. He is still so easy going and is fine with a little or a lot of sleep. He has such a happy temperament most of the time so I hope he stays like that. Like I said, he is still getting up at 2 and 5 to eat but sleeping great in between those times.

Our days: Our days haven't changed much since last month. He still wakes up around 7 or 8. He now goes to bed closer to 8 most nights. I usually feed him while Blake is getting Caroline ready and in bed. Considering we were out of town for 2 weeks, our days haven't had much consistency other than eating and sleeping. Looking forward to getting back into a routine at home.

Favorites: I love watching him interact with Caroline. She can make him smile so easily. He has just started to laugh out loud and that is definitely a favorite too.

Sullivan {3 months}

 Love this smiley boy!

 Sullivan has his first "battle scar" on his forehead... sharp baby fingernails are so hard to cut!

Sully sleeps with this little blue dog

Stats: No official stats this month. He has another check-up at 4 months!

Firsts: First consistent coo-ing (still not a big "talker" though). First trip to Atlanta to meet cousins Mattingly and James. First time playing on his piano mat and really enjoying it. First time staying in the nursery at church. First Thanksgiving. First Black Friday shopping with Mommy. First time to "help" decorate the Christmas tree (big sister Caroline LOVED decorating the tree this year!). 

Milestones: Consistently going about 8 hours between feedings at night. Yay! Hope this trend continues! He is also sleeping in his own bed at night now. If he gets kinda restless in the early morning, I bring him in our room to the pack and play just so he is closer to soothe back to sleep. He is holding his head up much better during tummy time. He still doesn't enjoy it for long, but he is getting stronger. He can hold his head up easily while sitting up supporting on my lap now. Another milestone Sully hit this month was finding his hands. He loves to chew and suck on them now. 

Food: Well I have officially been dairy free (mostly) for a month now and I think it has helped him. He definitely doesn't spit up as much and his skin isn't dry like it was at his last check-up. He is nursing well, and it usually takes him about 10-15 minutes per feeding now to nurse on both sides. He is still nursing every 3 (sometimes 4) hours during the day.

Sleep: He is sleeping well (and in his own crib this past week)! He usually just feeds once a night around 4. He usually wakes up a little before then but is satisfied with his pacifier. Then he goes back to sleep until about 7 or 8. His daytime naps have gotten more consistent and longer recently too. He still sleeps well when we are out and about running errands, so I am very thankful for that.

Our days: We have been more consistent with our daily routines this month. I nurse him when he wakes up between 7 and 8. Then he watches me and Caroline eat breakfast. :) We usually play in Caroline's room until he takes his nap around 9 or 9:30. He sleeps until around 11 when he eats again. He then watches me and Caroline eat lunch. :) Caroline naps after lunch and I get a little alone time with Sully. We usually do tummy time and lots of "talking" until he is ready to take his nap. He usually naps around 12:30 or 1. So they BOTH NAP AT THE SAME TIME... these are glorious days!! Haha! It doesn't always work out, but sometimes it is perfect timing. He eats around 2, naps again after playtime, eats again about 5, naps after playtime (notice a trend here...). He eats again around 8 and in bed when he gets tired after that, normally about 9.

Favorites: I love that he smiles so much when I talk to him now. It is also fun that he can hold his head up while sitting on my lap too. He really enjoys looking around and seeing what is going on. 

Sullivan {2 months}

{Most pitiful bottom lip ever!}

Stats: At his 2 month check-up, Sullivan weighed 11lb 9oz (31%) and was 23in long (48%). He is a healthy growing boy!!

Firsts: First intentional smile (one of mommy's favorite things!). First trip to Auburn (first time to meet lots of family here too). First Halloween (dressed as Superman). First shots :( First time staying with Janny and Colonel when Mommy and Daddy had a date night. This was also his first trip to Mobile. First time napping in your crib (just trying to slowly get him used to his room. He still sleeps in our room at night). First time riding in the double stroller without the carseat. First time going to vote with Mommy. First tummy time (not a fan... he fell asleep instead of holding his head up. Haha!).

Milestones: Smiling in response to us. It brightens my day so much to see his sweet smile! Especially because he always smiles after he spits up. Haha! Going 6-8 hours in between feedings at night- awesome!! Finding his reflection in the mirror above his swing- he always smiles at himself. :) Starting to coo a little bit.

Food: He is still eating well. I think he has been going through a growth spurt this past week. He started eating longer and eating on both sides at each feeding now. So it has taken a big longer to nurse, usually between 20-30 minutes. He started showing reflux signs (screaming after he burps, spitting up a ton) right after he turned 1 month, so we started Zantac when he was 6 weeks old. It seems to help with the screaming, but he is still spitting up. Dr. Mahaffey said he probably has a sensitivity to dairy, so I am going to try cutting dairy out of my diet and see if it helps him.

Sleep: Sleep is going great! He usually goes to bed between 8-9. He then sleeps until about 2 usually. He eats and goes back to sleep. Then he usually eats around 5 and goes back to sleep until about 8. So thankful for good sleep! I am feeling more rested with his longer stretch at the beginning of the night.

Our days: We have been trying to enjoy the cooler temperature outside before it is too cold to play outside. Most days he takes at least one nap in his crib and a couple in his swing or rock and play. I haven't been very good at giving you tummy time, so we will work on that more. Sullivan loves watching Caroline eat breakfast. Then we all get dressed and usually run our errands in the morning. Then we eat lunch and I try to get both kids to nap around 12 or 1. It's amazing how quiet the house gets during this time. Haha! Then we play in the afternoon until Daddy gets home from work. After dinner, we just hang out until big sis goes to bed. I enjoy my quiet moments during Caroline's nap or bedtime when I can just hold Sullivan and enjoy those baby snuggles! :)

Favorites: Smiling on demand is definitely the best thing this month. I love how he smiles SOOO big at Caroline whenever she comes and talks to him. It is just the sweetest thing to see him respond to her. Mommy getting more comfortable and confident going out with 2 kids! They are a handful, but I am getting the hang of it!