Jonah: 6 Month Update

Weight: 18 lbs 5 oz (67%)

Length: 27.5 inches (76%)

Clothes Size: 6-9 mo

Milestones:

Two teeth: It took a few days for them to cut, and those were painful days for all of us, but they finally made their appearance and are now helping him gnaw on anything he can get his hands on.

First Solids: Speaking of which, around 5 months we decided to start solids.  We’ve heard it can sometimes take a while for babies to get used to new textures and flavors but Jonah loved solids right away. We started with pureed sweet potato and mashed avocado, both of which he gobbled up.  Since then we’ve done mainly purees: apple, pear, peach, prune, carrot, green beans, avocado, banana, sweet potato.  His favorites are fruits, no surprise.  He’s a fast and efficient eater, like his Opa.  Jonah will lean forward in his high chair, with his hands planted on either side of him and open his mouth, eager for every bite.  Right now he’s eating 3-4 oz of food twice a day, once around lunch time and again around dinner-time.  I’m still breast feeding 5-6 times a day, as well. 

Unassisted Sitting: Since he’d much prefer to be upright than on his back or belly, Jonah’s gotten even better at sitting.  We don’t even have to put “crash pillows” around him in case he topples over. 

Favorites:

Squealing: Jonah’s definitely found his voice.  Where he used to babble, now he squeals. Sometimes he’ll stiffen his whole body in excitement and squeal, trying to participate in conversation.  It’s pretty cute.  Unless you’re in church.

His tongue: He also loves to stick out his tongue and wiggle it around.  Again, so cute.  He seems down right delighted by his mouth these days.  We are, too. 

Watches: If Jonah’s sitting on your lap, expect him to pay a lot of attention to your watch.  He’ll study it and pat it rhythmically with his hand. 

Sleep:

Up until a few weeks ago Jonah had still been struggling with short and inconsistent naps.  A daytime schedule was impossible and it was really hard to get things done or make any plans.  Until…

 All hail Nurse Nancy!  She’s a child sleep specialist at a local hospital and at least once a day Jake or I turn to the other and say “We should send her a fruit basket.” We met with her a few weeks ago, set out some sleep goals for Jonah and she gave us very detailed plans to achieve each of those goals.  Very detailed.  Like, 3 pages, single spaced 10 pt. font detailed.  Which, to these two Type A parents, was a dream come true. 

Goal one was for Jonah to put himself down for naps and for naps to become longer.  She gave us a specific schedule (the timing of naps is very important, evidently) and we deployed it the very next day, with huge success.  With minimal crying or fussing, Jonah has since put himself to sleep for at least two naps a day in his crib.  AND, like magic, naps have gotten longer and more predictable.  Now he sleeps for 1.5-2 hours in the morning (starting around 8:30/9am) and 1-1.5 hours in the early afternoon (starting around 1/2pm).  His third nap is a late afternoon “cheater” nap usually in the carseat or stroller for only about 30 minutes to tide him over until bedtime.  Goal one: check!

Goal two was for Jonah to sleep without the swaddle.  We now put him in a sleep sack for naps and bedtime and he’s done really well without the swaddle.  I’m still considering a Zipadee-Zip, since I think his hands get cold and he still flails sometimes.   Goal two: check!

Goal three is for Jonah to sleep through the night. We haven’t started that plan yet, but we will very soon because his night sleep seems to be regressing (which Nurse Nancy predicted).  Jonah now wakes 2-3 times each night.  Sometimes we’ll let him cry it out, but often I’ll just go in and nurse him back to sleep.  We’re all ready for some good extended night sleep!

Things I want to Remember:

-Mom-Mom and Auntie Jess’s visit for Jonah’s 6-month birthday. Over their extended weekend visit we toured Henry Shaw’s country residence at the Missouri Botanical Garden, went Christmas shopping at the Galleria, and enjoyed a “Taste of Baltimore” happy hour with friends, hosted by my generous mother- and sister-in-law.  Jonah even had his first encounter with a crab. It was a lovely weekend!

-Jonah’s been doing this for several months, but I’m just now realizing how much I love it: While I nurse, he takes his chubby little hand and absentmindedly strokes my chest or fiddles with my shirt.  It’s such a small thing, but that demonstration of affection and familiarity is one of the sweetest parts of breastfeeding.