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36 weeks old – April 30, 2015

NINTH MONTH
(APRIL 21 – MAY 21)

WEEK 35 (PARTIAL WEEK)

Oh, boy a “worst sleep” night kicked off Todd’s 9th month!  On April 21st he woke up crying at 10:30 PM.  He wasn’t hungry but it took until 12:45 AM before he fell back asleep.  Nothing was working until I turned on his Sea Dreams Crib Soother.  On the following night, he had another restless period, requiring 1.5 hours to get back to sleep.  Fortunately, Todd only wakes up once when he has one of his “bad” nights.

Developmental and other highlights:

• he can lower himself off the couch if we turn him feet first
• he can walk pushing his Little Tikes car without assist over carpet and smooth floors (the car doesn’t get going too fast)
• I removed the folded towels that were padding Todd’s crib (4/21)

Food notes and new (vegan) foods this week :

Todd isn’t satisfied if I only offer a pureed food. He wants to have finger foods, and he’ll look around for something “better” than what I’m offering via spoon. When he’s done, he spits dramatically, which is pretty funny.

• bites of quinoa mixed with jarred organic carrot puree
• strip of bread
• quartered banana slice

April 24, 2015

WEEK 36

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but every week we go on stroller walks in the neighborhood, and this includes a walk to the library about once a week.  We do our walks (or shopping) in the afternoon, a little while after Todd wakes up from his long morning nap.  It’s really nice to be walking distance from our library.  Every day, I read library books to Todd.

Developmental highlights:

• controlled crawl off a 5″ tall storage bin
• he repeatedly lifts a leg up while standing (attempting to step/climb up)
• he does deep knee bends…down, up, down, up
• 1st brief thumb sucking (in the past he’s always sucked on his fingers but not thumb)
• shows frustration (i.e. when he walks with his car and it meets an obstacle and stops…but he wants it to keep going)
• he climbed onto a 9″ tall Rubbermaid storage container

He loves to look out the window – April 24, 2015

Other highlights:

• he likes to walk his Push & Ride Racer car
• he likes getting rides on his car
• likes to be “chased” crawling in the house– crawls away quickly, then stops and looks back, laughs excitedly
• if Eric doesn’t wear a shirt Todd wants to scratch at his nipple
• 1st time at a play group (Kaleidoscope Play & Learn, Jennings Park (4/29))

1st play group – Kaleidoscope Play & Learn – April 29, 2015

Food notes and new (vegan) foods this week:

It seems like Todd really started swallowing a lot more food this week, and he lets me feed him small bits with my fingers after he does what he can with his limited fine motor skills.  He was able to slurp/suck down strands of angel hair pasta this week (instead of just playing).

• green pepper
• Fig Banana Corny Oatcakes
• ripe mango slice
• roasted cauliflower
• split pea soup
• spaghetti with angel hair pasta
• drinking a little water from a pinch cup

Slurping angel hair pasta – April 27, 2015

WEEK 37

This was an action-packed week!  On May 1st, Todd had his allergic reaction to his lunch.  Over the weekend, we partied and we did some rollerblading.  Todd got to visit with his Grammie on May 5th.  We saw the allergy doctor on May 6th, resulting in Todd getting diagnosed with a peanut allergy.  The week wrapped up with Todd’s first day in underwear.

I used a $10 off coupon at Kohls and scored this toy for less than three bucks! – May 1, 2015

This week, Todd’s sleep was more “normal” for him, i.e. sleeping a solid ~9-11 hour night for 5 days per week and waking up once about 2 days per week (and he didn’t take very long to get back to sleep).

He loves ripe mango! – May 4, 2015

Developmental highlights:

• he stuck his tongue out and touched tip to upper lip a lot (5/30)
• chatting to himself at 3:30 AM two mornings in a row (then fell back to sleep)
• he possibly did the hand sign for “formula milk” (make a fist and squeeze)
• he likes to slap my hands while sitting on the toilet
• he vibrates his 2 fists or a toy against his mouth to make a noise that sounds like “lada lada lada”
• he sucks on his thumb and rubs thumb against upper gums
• he seems a little more attentive when I read books to him (less focus on putting the book in his mouth)
• he started waving his left wrist (not sure if he’s just exploring hand movements, trying to wave, or doing the “all done” sign)
• he can crawl up and down on/off a 5″ tall storage bin repeatedly, without close supervision
• he can step up onto the storage bin while holding the windowsill

Looking outside my bedroom window – May 5, 2015

Other highlights:

• new sound:  “na na”
• we lowered his crib to the lowest setting (5/3)
• food reaction during lunch, multiple hives on both arms, chest/neck (5/1)
• house visit from Grammie and Todd gave her a kiss (5/5)
• allergy doctor appointment and diagnosis of peanut allergy (5/6)
• weight at 8.5 months (with clothes/diaper on) = 17 lb, 8 oz = just under the 23rd percentile
• first full day starting to wear underwear, in addition to diapers (5/7)
• I made up hand signs for “smoothie” and “pancake” because he eats those foods every day

Party smiles at Dan’s house – May 2, 2015

Weekend Activities:

• Party at Dan’s house in Monroe (5/2)
• Rollerblade with stroller on the Centennial Trail (5/3)

Swinging at the party – May 2, 2015

WEEK 38

What do you call your baby?  We all have cute names, right?  I haven’t mentioned this before, so I’ll mention it here.  I like to greet Todd first thing in the morning with “Sunshine Boy” and I usually call him “Little One” and “Little Sweetheart” all day long (or a variation, “Sweet Little Heart”).  Eric likes to greet Todd in the morning with “Señor,” and he calls him his “Little Buddy.”  There’s also “Mr. Todd” and “Toad.”

Do you remember so long ago, when he made cute frog noises?  “Ribbit” was his earliest nickname that Eric used while Todd was still in the NICU.  I used to call him “Little Mister,” but now I tend to call him “Little Sir” or “Little Son.”  On the internet, his “hashtag nicknames” are #minivegan, and #tatertodd.

Elisa & Todd – May 11, 2015

Developmental highlights:

• very interested in small particles on the floor, tries to put them in his mouth
• he’s initiating more unsupported standing again (in addition to “cruising” with support all the time)
• able to stand unsupported for 30 fast counts
• can walk with a one-hand hold a little bit, and a two-hand hold a lot
• tries to climb up on anything he possibly can, to reach things he wants
• he climbs over our legs/waist all the time when we’re on the floor
• he imitated me doing the “all done” sign and before that he did it himself (I don’t know if he knows what it means yet, though)

Lock Up Your Daughters – May 11, 2015

Other highlights:

• he likes to “take a break” from playing and prop himself up with his back leaning on the couch (or even a wall)
• he loves when Eric throws him (face down or face up) into pillows on my bed
• he still loves lurching from pillow to pillow on my bed, then he quickly spins onto his back
• he likes to throw his toys out the window
• he loves various kitchen noises (i.e. blender, salad spinner, coffee grinder, etc).  He races over (crawling) to see what’s going on, and stands up at the cabinets to try to get a better look
• he likes to stand and shake the bottom rack of the dishwasher

No teeth yet – May 11, 2015

Outings:

• Rollerblading on the Centennial Trail (5/9 & 5/10)
• Out to eat at The Shire Cafe (5/9)
• Kaleidoscope Play & Learn group at Jennings Park (5/13)

At the play group this week, Todd was much more interested in the story reading and songs than he was 2 weeks ago.  He was also more interested in little bits of things on the floor.  He likes going over to other kids, and he smiles at everyone.  I don’t see any stranger anxiety yet!  One little girl that was there 2 weeks ago (who doesn’t like him touching her jeans) commented several times, “He grew up.”  I thought it was pretty observant, because he did seem different to me, too.

Rollerblading on the Centennial Trail – May 9, 2015

Food notes and new (vegan) foods this week:

He likes to dip one fingertip in his pureed food to taste it, and then takes several more “bites” that way.  He loves eating black olive slices by sticking his finger in the hole to pick each piece up.  Other small bits of food he can pick up by working them onto his index finger.

• little bit of Field Roast sausage
• homemade black bean burger with ground cashews and quinoa flour
• raspberries (I fed him little bits at a time)
• vegan taco soup and pita bread at The Shire Cafe
• winter squash jarred organic baby food
• black olives (now he’s eating them)

Black olive technique – May 12, 2015

WEEK 39

This was an exciting week for a few reasons.

First, we got ourselves set up for bike riding with Todd!   On May 16th, we got a hitch installed on our Subaru Outback that we bought last Fall.  On the way home from the hitch installation, we had lunch in Renton, at Blossom Vegetarian (our 2nd time there).  Todd liked being fed garbanzo beans from Eric’s chopsticks.

Dining at Blossom Vegetarian – May 16, 2015

The next day, we went to Costco to pick up an Everyday Traveler Bike Trailer.  Such a great deal for only $199!  We expect our bike rack for the car to be delivered on May 22nd.  Eric ordered the 1 up USA Double Bicycle Quik Rack.

Of course, we wasted no time taking Todd’s new wheels for a ride in the neighborhood.  It was also my first time back on my bike since before I was pregnant.  Ah…it was about time!   I’m looking forward to many more rides to come!

Todd’s 1st bike ride – May 17, 2015

Developmental and other highlights:

• 1st steps!  He took 4 steps, stepping toward Eric (several times) (5/18)
• he climbed into the 9″ tall Rubbermaid storage bin (5/19)
• he took 4, 6, and then 11 linked steps (5/19)
• he climbed both feet up the wall simultaneously while holding onto the windowsill (5/20)

Other highlights:

• he got excited looking at himself in his little mirror and kissed himself several times (5/16)
• 1st & 2nd bike rides with the new trailer (5/17, 5/18)
• he loves to stand and bang on the washing machine

He climbed in the bin – May 19, 2015

Food notes and new (vegan) foods this week:

On May 21st, I noticed that Todd did a pincer grasp to pick up a garbanzo bean.  That was the first time I noticed him doing that.

• roasted curried garbanzo beans
• orange slice
• peach mango fruit pouch (Earth’s Best Organic)
• red lentil dal
• raisin
• Tofurky sausage (little bits)
• pickled beet

May 19, 2015

9TH MONTH WRAP-UP

Sleep–

Right now, Todd continues his “normal” sleep pattern of sleeping through the night ~5 days per week and waking up once ~2 days per week.  If he wakes up crying, it’s always within 3 hours of his bedtime (which is typically ~8:30 PM).  He gets back to sleep without difficulty.

These days, Todd is asleep when I put him in his crib at night.  He falls asleep in my arms after I give him his bottle, then I rock him in my glider chair for at least another 15 minutes before I put him in bed.  I cherish that “snuggle time” with him.

The one thing that’s different lately is that Todd is becoming more of an “early bird.”  Before, his typical wake up time was definitely after 6 AM and frequently closer to 7 AM.  Now, he’s waking up chatting and turning on his crib soother music before 6 AM more often than I’d like!  Of course, since Eric leaves for work around 6:30 AM, he’s always happy when Todd wakes up before he has to go.  That makes all of us happy!

Regarding naps– Todd is essentially taking one nap per day.  It starts about 3-4 hours after he wakes up in the morning.  He’s still using the swing and his naps still last 2-3 hours (and even longer).  He’ll take catnaps in the car or the stroller sometimes in the afternoons.  Occasionally I offer an afternoon swing nap, but usually not.

I think Todd gets enough sleep because when he’s asleep, he’s OUT.  That goes for daytime and nighttime.  It seems like he gets really good quality sleep.

Before bed – May 20, 2015

Food–

Todd is wonderful eater!  I’m feeding him solids at least twice per day, and sometimes three.  Green smoothie and a pancake (of various flavors/ingredients) is breakfast.  Organic applesauce is a regular offering if I give him a lunch.  Dinner includes any smoothie that he didn’t eat at breakfast and then a wide assortment of whatever we’re having.

At the moment, Todd is finishing up his 52nd can of “formula milk.”

Red lentil dal – May 18, 2015

Toileting–

This month Todd had 3 poop “misses,” which means that at least some part of a poo-poo ended up in the diaper instead of the toilet.  On 2 out of those 3 times, it amounted to just a “nugget,” which was followed by a large poop in the toilet.

Ever since Todd’s first day in underwear (May 7th), we’ve been using his underwear daily.  I only put Todd in diapers for mealtime, naps/bedtime, and when we leave the house.  Sure– Todd goes through a lot of wet “trainers” each day, but we have a stash of 12 and haven’t run out yet.  I just round up all of our laundry every evening and run a load of whatever size it happens to be.  With Todd in underwear, I know exactly how often he goes.  It’s helpful information to have!

Todd pees in the toilet throughout the day.  The number of times depends on how often I take him.  He can pee a lot within the hour after drinking his formula (4-5+ times).  It’s not unreasonable for me to take him to the toilet every 15 minutes.  It might sound like a lot of work, but I do think it’s worth it!  There’s no doubt that Todd is gradually learning about his body and learning about toilet use by establishing this regular habit.

May 18, 2015

What else can I say except Todd is a real sweetheart!  He’s such a joy to be around.