Pumpkin Patch

 

 

   

 

 

7 Months Old

Nicholas is 7 months old.  I don't have any stats as this isn't a doctor's visit month, but he seems to be
growing.

At his 6 month appointment, his growth had slowed significantly, most likely a result of reflux flare - ups, but it was recommended that he start having some formula to get his weight back on track.  He doesn't like it, though so it was a challenge to get him to eat it.  Mariel has finally got him up to 6 oz a day (3 oz at a time) prior to a bottle with Mama's milk.  He tolerates it then because he is hungry enough for it.  This also helps me keep up with the milk demand because my teaching schedule makes it difficult to get it enough pumping time to meet his needs, so the formula helps with that.

He still prefers mama, and has started "reverse cycling" again, which means he wakes 2-3 times a night again to eat.  Oh joy!

He finally seems to like baby food after almost 2 months of spitting it out or refusing it all together.  Tonight we got him to take a decent helping of pears, carrots, and peas.  Apples still seem to be his favorite.  He also loves baby crackers.

He will get up on his hands and knees and rocks, but forward motion is still accomplished by the "army crawl."

His favorite toy at home is his Sophie giraffe or a Pooh bear shape car.

His new thing is to stick his tongue out and curl it up to his top lip.  He does this often.  He also has a deliberate sign (which looks like "apple" in ASL) but we think he's really letting me or daddy know he wants to nurse.  I haven't been diligent at signing with him but he sees it when I sign with Mikaela or Daddy so he seems to have derived some meaning and created his own form of sign communication.

He can sit up and likes to stand supported.  He has attempted to pull-up a couple of times, but can't really do that.  He babbles some.

He's cuddly still and a pretty easy-going baby.

He Waved at Me!

There is no picture or video with this, but I wanted to document this event so I'm putting it on the blog.  Today, Nicholas was laying on his stomach in Mikaela's room.  I came in and said, "Hi."  Nicholas lifted one hand.  A little surprised, I waved.  He waved back!!!

State Fair of Texas

Sunday, October 6th, we decided to head out to the State Fair of Texas.  We took Mikaela for the first time.  Technically, Nicholas was there last year, he just wasn't born yet.

He's back!  Big Tex!  Mikaela was being whiny and didn't want to take a picture with him.

Donna's fried food of choice was chicken-fried meatloaf.  It was delicious!

Famous Ferris Wheel.  We didn't ride this year, but we will someday.

 The Greenhouse on the Midway had a great train exhibit.  One of the trains was powered by Thomas himself.  This was super exciting for Mikaela.  She wanted to take her picture with him.

 Also in the greenhouse was a play to color pumpkins.  She enjoyed doing this as well.

 At the children's barnyard, we saw some new baby chicks, some having just hatched, and some in the process of hatching.

 We also saw piglets hanging out with their really big mama.

mama pig

newborn chicks

 The Children's Barnyard had a area of toys for kids to play with.  Mikaela had a good time putting the horses in the corral and in the horse trailer.

 We also colored a picture of Big Tex.

 Up the road from the Children's Barnyard were a ton of John Deere tractors.  She wouldn't let us take her picture with them, but she played with the toy ones in the sandbox filled with sawdust.

 Even Nicholas got to play a little.

 Little Hands on the Farm.  We tried to show her all of this so she could go explore, but I think the crowds concerned her so she rarely wanted to do something where there were a lot of people.

Sights of the Fair:

Big Tex's new boots

We took a look at a couple of vehicles for Mike when we get to the point that my Saturn needs to be replaced (though we hope that won't be for at least another year or two).  He had a deep fried Cuban roll.  Sorry we didn't think to get pictures of our food items.  The State Fair is one of my favorite things about fall.  I can't wait to go again next year.