Quite a talker

Andrew is very adept at repeating what we say and his vocabulary seems to grow each day. He's had "mama" down for quite a while but also says (in his own way): daddy, bye-bye, night-night, this (a favorite word), all done, Sam, ball, phone, trash (this is quite a favorite), shoe, sock, cup, bag, sit, spoon, raisin, down, dog. It seems to be a lot for a 13.5 month old, even if his diction isn't very clear and is just so fun to hear.

Andrew's 1 year stats

Weight: 19 lbs 13.6 oz (15%)
Height: 29.5 in (45%)
Head circumference: 45.5 cm (25%)

Further supports his recent moniker of "Little one" around our house.

Talking

Andrew began talking at 11 months and has continued to add new words each week. His first official word we understood well was "Stop." Hopefully not indicative of his future relationship with his brother, he did indeed pick it up from Sam who enjoyed saying "Stop, go, stop, go" at the time and frequently tried to prevent his brother from stealing toys by saying "Stop, Andrew." This word was quickly followed by "mama", "dada", "night-night" and "ball." Most are not intelligible to anyone but his immediate family, but he is speaking!

Comprehension

Andrew is now 10.5 months old and it has become obvious over the last couple of weeks that Andrew can understand nearly all that we say. Okay, maybe not our debates about health care reform, but simple directives and sentences dealing with physical objects or actions. It's amazing to see that even though he can't talk, he understands our words.

What he's like at 10 months

Andrew is now walking everywhere he can. He still frequently drops down on his bottom for a sit, but will walk up to 20 or more steps unless something interests him along the way (which it often does). He's just starting to sleep from 7:30pm to 6:00am (with a little encouragement/ignoring from Mom) and babbles away quite happily. I really thought I heard him try to repeat "Night night" and "All done" last week, so I don't think words are too far away. He's got four teeth and loves to eat. The more solid the better and finger foods are a big hit. His latest sound is smacking his lips, which he will repeat back and forth with me with glee. He's made the leap into the "big boy carseat" (one we can't carry him around in) and has yet to make transitions from asleep in car seat to asleep in crib (unlike his brother Sam who can be carried in and fall back asleep). He's as strong and squirmy as ever and also incredible good natured. He's generally relaxed and likes following his Mom and big brother around the house. He's experimenting with biting toes (other people's, not his unfortunately) and loves to wave around his index finger. Fascination with other people's faces continues though exploration through tongue is abating. He's a master at drinking from a sippy cup with a straw though he still breastfeeds 4 to 5 times a day. He likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. Just kidding about that last part, he prefers Merlots.

He's walking!

Andrew started officially walking around 9.5 months old (a week ago or so). He's toddling around, quite bow-legged and with little baby steps. Generally he strings together 6-7 steps before plopping down to investigate something. However, today he seemed determined to chase me around the upstairs. Not long before he'll catch me...

Andrew's 9 month stats

Weight: 18 lb 2.2 oz (20%)
Height: 29 in (75%)
Head circumference: 44.5 cm (30%)

Better view up here...

Andrew has been practicing standing up without holding onto anything all day. He gets quite the proud smile once he stands up and has been experimenting with lifting various toys with him. Several times he's looked like he really wants to walk once standing, but hasn't quite managed it all the way yet. A few steps have been seen here or there, but nothing we can officially call walking yet. Maybe tomorrow...

Clapping

Andrew did some clapping today. At least, baby-style clapping where he just bashing his hands into each other. He's also getting much more balance and sometimes cruises along furniture while barely touching it. Last week he took a couple of steps to his Aunt Amanda but seems hesitant to really break out fully on his own.

Two teeth

Andrew popped out two teeth last week after gnawing and drooling everything in sight. All considering, he remained quite happy, but now we need to watch out when he tries to bite. Luckily many times he's just trying to give us a wet, open-mouthed kiss.

What he's like at seven months

Andrew turns seven months in a few days and is getting around really well now. He crawls everywhere (living room, under the dining room table, into the bathroom, kitchen) and pulls up to standing whenever given the chance. His favorite is pulling up on the couch, but he'll also pull up on the coffee table, dining room chairs, Sam's toy car, kitchen drawers, the Rody bouncy horse, the dishwasher, his brother...anything he can hold onto. He also just started saying "Guh guh guh" which Sam loves to repeat back to him. He's a smiley, happy baby though stranger anxiety is starting to set in slowly. So far he's "eaten" rice cereal, oatmeal and potato. I'm not sure if he really eats them or just swishes them around and spits them out.

Happy baby!

Andrew is such a happy camper - just look at this kids million dollar toothless grin!

6 month stats

Andrew just had his 6 month check-up and is doing just fine. Here are his stats:
weight - 16 lb 10 oz, 35%
height - 26 in, 35%
head circumference - 42.5 cm, 25%

Weekend of Firsts

This past weekend had a number of firsts for Andrew. He is just growing so quickly and he's only 6 months old!

1. First time pulling up to stand on his own.
2. First time crawling across a grassy field.
3. First bath with his brother.
4. First time sitting in a high chair
5. First time seeing his dad play grass ultimate. (I just hope I can still play when he gets old enough!)

We'll post pictures soon.

Dave

New joys

We've been a bit concerned that Andrew's getting a few more knocks to the head and sore knees from learning to crawl in a house with hardwood floor. Sam got to get through the crawling stage while we were at a carpeted rental and Andrew is quickly able to move off our 6 foot square rug. However, today I noticed that he has a new joy available to him that his brother didn't - drooling on the hardwood floor and then finger painting with the drool. Let me tell you, he found it entirely engrossing for many minutes.

Sitting up

A week after he started crawling, Andrew is sitting up on his own. He can get into a sitting position and out of it without assistance and only sometimes falls over. This means he's now fully free-roaming! I am writing this as I work at my desk in the kitchen and he has been crawling around the floor in the living room visiting with his toys and now he has crawled over to me in the kitchen to visit. We're back to gating the stairs again and keeping a close eye on everything on the floor!

Officially crawling

Andrew started officially crawling last Saturday, April 18th. While he can alternate his knees to move himself forward, he mostly likes to perch up on hands and toes and lie on his side and scoot around. He now explores all over the living room and targets any of Sam's toys left on the floor. It's provided new inspiration to his brother for cleaning up.

Like stealthy tumbleweed

Sam and I are eating lunch at our dining room table and Andrew is playing on the floor. He's getting better and better at rolling as a means of locomotion and I looked over and he was rolling from his car seat to the blanket and then the table like a piece of tumbleweed blowing by. I have to keep a careful eye out on what's lying around now!

Fast progression

Andrew is going to be fully crawling any day now. Over the past weekend he started to get up on his hands and knees and just this morning, he was doing the Brownian motion thing all over the living room. It is just a matter of time before he is fully directional crawling!

Brothers!

Hello, tongue

Andrew has discovered he can stick out his tongue and he can be seen practicing this several times a day. Good thing he's still at that age where it's just cute.

Phlbbt

Andrew's favorite new noise is blowing raspberries. It's adorable to see him playing in his exersaucer or kicking in his chair and going "phlbbt" with little bubbles coming out of his mouth. It's just one of those things you can do as a baby that's cute that you can't do later in life. :)

Smiley happy baby

I don't know if I've written enough about what a smiley, happy baby Andrew is. He's just a sweetheart and cheery and good-natured. So often he just looks up at you wide-eyed and then breaks out into a big grin with dimples. It just melts your heart.

4 month stats

Andrew's almost 5 months, so it's time to post those four month numbers:
14 lb 11 oz, 50% for weight
25.5 in, 70% for height
41.5 cm, 30% for head circumference

Mobility

Andrew is now a pro at rolling over on all sides and can scoot himself across the floor about 3 feet at a time. He doesn't move terribly fast, but is rather good at getting off the blankets I put him on. He's going to learn about hardwood floors at an early age...

Creation

Last night I was struck again by how amazing procreation is. I held in my arms this little 15-lb baby that was formed in my body and has grown during the last four months with his only sustenance being from my milk. I remember holding Sam and thinking about how each cell in his body was made from my body, essentially. Quite incredible.

The Other White Meat

Andrew has become quite the toe sucker. Sam took a passing interest in his feet, but at least at each diaper changing and many times in between, Andrew will grab his foot and just suck on it. I haven't counted how many toes he can fit in his mouth yet, but I'm guessing about four. Quite a big "feet" for such a little guy. :)

Coos and raspberries

Andrew woke up rather early today (5:30am) but in a pretty cheery mood as he lay there blowing raspberries after his diaper change. It seems to be a new skill he's acquired and he's happy to practice it. Frequent awakenings at night appears to be another new skill he's acquired as he woke Mommy up last night at 11:30pm, 2:15am, 2:40am, 4:30am, 5:00am, 5:30am. At least I think those were all the times...the whole night is a bit fuzzy. Sometimes he was hungry, one time his diaper leaked and other times who knows - maybe he rolled funny and upset himself. All I know is I need more than 2 hr chunks of sleep! Oh well.

On the move

Andrew has been rolling from his back to his front for a while now and in the last week and a half has also managed to roll from his front to his back (often getting up on both knees to do so). Yesterday for the first time he rolled from back to front to back all in the same direction to travel about 3 feet. A new experience for him! At barely four months he's a real mover and shaker. He rolls all around his crib at night and looks like he's laying plans for crawling even now. It will be an adventure with our hardwood floors (we were at the carpeted rental when Sam was at this stage).

Yummy toes

Andrew is always moving around and twisting this way and that. Yesterday he discovered how to grab his foot and bring it to his mouth. Now not only does he chomp repeatedly on his fingers, but he can chomp on his toes!

Hair hair hair

Every day Andrew meets new people or even people that know him, he gets comments on his hair.  Pretty obvious why.... I call it his million dollar hairdo. -Dad

What's it like with two?

I get this question a lot. I'd say the beginning was pretty tough. Caretaking for a toddler while sleep deprived was challenging and remembering the ins and outs of caring for an infant took time. Andrew's sleepy time is starting to lengthen and I'm getting used to my routines. Once you accept that there's a lot of time involved in moving the kids in and out of the car and/or shopping cart and/or stroller on errands, it's not so bad to go out with them. It's still an easy time when Andrew sleeps a lot and doesn't require much extra entertainment, nor does he move around much. Sam is learning how to be gentle with his brother and what not to do. The hours during the day just seem to flit away and now I'm just trying to figure out where time for me fits in. 

Andrew updates

Andrew continues to flash beautiful dimply grins and is now accompanying them with coos and giggles that are ever so cute. He has also rolled over another 4-5 times and this last time just hung out on his belly a while sucking two fingers. He loves to watch his brother and track him around the room. His hair continues to grow (it's about 2 inches long now?) and he turns 3 months this week. Last night he slept 8 hours in a row - a godsend for tired Mommy! He's just a delightful little baby and I can't wait to learn more about who he is as he grows.

He rolled over!

Last night Andrew rolled from his back to his tummy for the first time. I was about to call it a fluke, but this morning, he did it again as he lay on his playmat. Not that he ends up too happy finding himself on his tummy mind you....

Discovery by mouth

Andrew has started to grab things with his hands and make a slow progression to his mouth with them. It's hard to tell at first since he spends a lot of time waving his arms around and dropping things, but toys make it to his waiting gums too often to be just a coincidence!

2 month stats

Andrew's 2 month stats are:

Weight: 12 lb 4.4 oz (50%)
Height: 23.25 in (50%)
Head circumference: 39.25 cm (25%)

Smiley guy

Andrew continues to be very good natured and has been flashing more and more winning smiles. He gets a wry wrinkle near his eye, a smile crooks out of the right side of his mouth and then it just spreads until he has dimples in both cheeks! It's so joyous to watch. :)

Sleeping like a champ

Andrew appears to be our champion sleeper. He can sleep through just about any racket his brother can create (with pots and pans at his disposal, he can make a lot of noise) and even slept through a mariachi band. He's starting to do longer stretches at night, and will do a 4 - 6.5 hr stretch each night. A week ago he slept from 12am - 6:30am for the first time and I woke up more energized than I had been in a long time. I'm hoping this trend continues...

Top 5 comments

Here are the top five comments we hear about Andrew:
1- Wow, look at that hair!
2- What a head of hair!
3- He's got great head control
4- He's a strong baby
5- He's such a quite/calm baby