Keeping Up With The Wimberlys: November 2012

Words do not begin to describe how much I love this little guy! He is my buddy, my sidekick, my little pal. He can usually be found wrapped across my front side, peering out to see what is going on in the world or snuggled in for a snooze. I cannot believe it has been 6 months already. Here is what he has been up to...

The Pax Stats:

Height 28 inches (90%)

Weight 17 lbs 3 ozs (50%)

Head circumference 44 cm (55%)

The Pax Facts:

Wears: Mostly size 6 month clothing and some 6-9 month stuff for the length. Still in size 3 diapers. And probably a size 2 shoe.

Eats: We started solids right as he was turning 6 months. We tried pureed avocados mid month because he wasn't sleeping well and I thought some solids would help. I did a little more research and decided to hold off until he was 6 months. Up until last week, he was pretty much still eating around the clock every 3-4 hours and was nursing for all meals except when I went to work. On those days he ate bottles and I had to supplement a little formula. He can put down an 8 ounce bottle with no problem! I have had a very hard time figuring out what and when to feed him, but I feel like we finally have somewhat of a routine down. His tummy seems to be tolerating the milk based formula with the proteins partially broken down. And I can eat a little dairy too which is wonderful! He still takes Prevacid for reflux, but his spitting up seems to be a getting a little better...unless he is on his tummy...then he is a fountain! When I restarted solids, I went with rice cereal after some research. This little dude is hungry and he needs the bulk! We will begin adding fruits and veggies soon! So much fun trying new foods!

Sleeps: We are finally getting some sleep at night. He usually goes to be around 7 and wakes up around 7. He is usually up once during the night to eat around 2 or 3. Naps are still very difficult. He really only naps if he is being held or he is in the Moby wrap. In his crib he usually starts out sleeping on his side and makes his way to his tummy. We are working on getting him to nap in his crib, but it is proving to be quite a challenge! For now, I just enjoy the snuggle time!

Looks: A lot more like his sister! His hair is getting thicker and is a light brown color. His eyes are a hazelly brown and just sparkle! He is long and lean, but has a little chubbiness to his arms and thighs. He has the biggest smile and his mouth is usually wide open!

What else is new this month: He still rolls all over the place. You cannot keep him in one place. He is getting a lot closer to sitting up and just needs a little help for balance. He has started spending some time in his activity center and loves putting all of the toys in his mouth! He can pivot around in a circle on his stomach and has just started "ooching" his way around on his tummy...not quite army crawling yet, but getting close. Look out world! Everything goes in his mouth and he drools a lot, but I still haven't seen any teeth. He has started using a sippy cup and has water with his cereal at dinner. He actually has really good manual dexterity. His favorite place to be is where ever his sister is. He tolerates being in the car and stroller, but prefers to be moving. He will take cat naps in both places, but wakes very easily. He is definitely an outside guy. He is pretty content unless he is hungry or thinks you are suggesting that he should nap. He also appreciates a change of scenery and will let you know when he is getting bored. He is very vocal and has started babbling. His favorite consonants are "B" and "D" and he also says "eh" a lot! He loves bath time and is using the bath ring that Ashlyn used. Bath time is much more fun when you can sit up and play with your sister and splash!

A few things I want to remember about Paxton at this age: I love the way he smiles behind his pacifier. His mouth turns up on both sides and his eyes light up and he sucks like crazy trying to keep his pacifier in his mouth. His chubby little fingers are getting longer and less candy corn shaped. He has the softest, sweetest skin. When he wakes up in the morning, he plays in his crib for a little while before I go and get him. The smile and squeal he gives me when he sees me is one of my favorite moments of the day! When I picked him up, he grabs my face or neck or hair and nuzzles into my neck and I can just hear him saying "Oh, thank you momma for rescuing me!" His favorite teething toy is the knuckle of my thumb. I love how he "chews" his cereal when I give him a big bite. I love the way his eyes roll back into his head when he starts nursing. I love our night time routine of nursing then poems and prayers and then rocking until he begins to drift off to sleep. I pretty much love every thing about my little Pax man...but wouldn't mind if he starting napping a little better! Happy 1/2 Birthday little guy. You make our world a ~~little~~ lot brighter :)

This picture cracks me up! Not the last
wet willy he will receive, I am sure!

A few other pictures at 6 months

Ashlyn loves to help feed him

Drinking from a sippy cup

A big bite of cereal

We spent Thanksgiving in Emory with the Dougherty clan! PaJ has 4 brothers and 3 out of the 4 were able to make it in for a "reunion". We had between 20-35 people coming and going throughout the weekend. Mimi and PaJ worked like crazy getting their place ready to host the reunion and it was perfect!!! We spent 90% of the time down at "The Grotto" and the weather was very nice. It was a lot of fun to catch up with everyone. We had excellent food (and drinks) and lots of laughs. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

We were able to spend some time with Grandma Sally over the weekend. She wasn't feeling up to getting out so we brought turkey to her! Ashlyn had a good time coloring and doing puzzles.

Ashlyn and her cousin Dillan are best buds! They were connected at the hip the entire weekend! So cute!

We had a feast for Thanksgiving! And everyone made Granny Dougherty's recipes...and even some of her pans and serving utensils showed up. So neat! She was an excellent cook and loved feeding a group. She would have been proud :)

Paxton pretty much spent the weekend in his favorite spot!

Literally "connected at the hip" :)

Love this picture of Aunt T and Big Bert

The hostess with the mostest!

PaJ taking some time out from cooking and
entertaining for a photo with his 2 gals!

I wonder what they were talking about

We decided to have a white elephant gift exchange (an old Dougherty tradition) on Friday night. The rules were that you couldn't buy your gifts. They had to be something you already had or made. The kids had a blast decorating the "wrappings" after our Thanksgiving dinner.

Dillan and Ashlyn had a slumber party!

Friday evening was a bit more chilly, but with the fire pit going it was perfect! We had a fish fry and our white elephant exchange!

Ashlyn was first in line for fish

He had no problem staying warm

PaJ and Uncle Vernon cut down a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and the kids decorated it! This used to be the job of all us cousins (25 years ago) but we passed it down to the next generation. So cool!