6 Month Update

6 Months

Likes: 

familiar faces

sitting up like a big boy

music & singing

playing with his toys 

Jumpin' Johnny

Mommy & Daddy

peek-a-boo

being outside

 

It is hard to believe our baby boy is half a year old. The past six months have been more wonderful than we could have ever imagined.

Isaiah is officially a world traveler. If you count layovers, he's been in 7 different countries in his 6 months of life! (And two more if counting the womb). We made the big move from the Philippines to America with a trip to Italy along the way. I seriously couldn't have asked for a better experience traveling with an infant. He was so good! He slept most of the trip and was very content when he was awake. He was a hit in Italy just like he was in the Philippines. One older lady even bought him a teddy bear! He really does seem to love people. And people love him. I look forward to seeing how God uses that one day.

Isaiah has also made quite a few milestones this month. He loves to roll around on the floor, mostly still from back to tummy. He just gets mad when he's on his tummy too long and hasn't seemed to be interested in rolling tummy to back yet. He loves to push up on his arms during tummy time and squirm around. He can scoot in any direction he likes. The funnest milestone of the month was that he started sitting on his own. He is so proud of himself! He still gets a little off balance every now and then and topples over, but he loves to be up like a big boy. 

Sleeping is becoming a treasure in this household. Understandably things have been a little off since we switched time zones twice in two weeks. Isaiah has done well, but we're still trying to figure out what 'normal' is. He sleeps well most nights, even though he still wakes two or three times to nurse and/or cuddle. For the majority of the night he's in a pack-n-play in our room (we're staying in a Trek-X apartment right now until we find our own place) but he usually ends up in the bed with us sometime around 5 so that we can get a little more sleep. He naps 3-4 times a day, with 2-3 of those being short cat naps. And boy has he learned to fight a nap! I read an article saying that by age 6-7 months a baby's brain has developed enough that it has the ability to keep itself awake even though it's tired. Babies of this age are so curious about their new world that they just don't want to miss a second of it. So when I'm pacing the floors rocking Isaiah as he kicks and cries I try to praise God that he has a developing brain. Thankfully, he usually gives in within a few minutes and melts in my arms. I know he's about to give it up when he sucks his thumb on one hand and rubs the back of his head with the other hand :) Occasionally I just hold him and cozy up on the couch as he sleeps in my arms. There couldn't be a sweeter feeling.

We don't have any stats for Isaiah's height or weight this month. We're excited about finding a pediatrician here and getting a well baby check-up. We're less excited about getting health insurance to do that. Nonetheless, I don't know his weight but he's heavier than last month and those chunky monkey legs are even chunkier so I'd say he's growing! He's wearing mostly size 9 months. He nurses every 2-3 hours day and night. This month he definitely grew an interest in food as he watched our every bite ha! We are doing what we can to make the best choices for his nutrition and decided to skip the typical rice cereals seeing as they're all processed and have little to no nutritional value for a baby. So now that he's sitting well and showing an interest in food, we're starting him on solids. He's only had mashed avocado so far (he wasn't a fan!) but I'm excited to see his likes and dislikes as he tries new foods. He's also had some sips of water and gets completely shocked every time it hits his lips! 

Isaiah had lots of 'firsts' this month. His first plane ride, first time in a car seat and first walk in a stroller. He also met his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins for the first time. He had his first runny nose (I think from being exposed to air conditioning ha!). And he went on his first outing without me when my mom took him to the grocery store with her. He had his first go-rounds with an exersaucer and a jumpin' johnny thanks to fun cousins who've passed on their toys. The boy loves to jump! 

It's been so fun watching Isaiah start to 'play.' He picks up one toy and discovers it, throws it down, and moves on to the next thing that catches his eye. He has favorite toys and loves a good round of peek-a-boo or the tickle monster. He thinks his daddy is the funniest person on the planet and loves to giggle at him. Two things instantly calm him when he's upset: a song that Lilia, our neighbor in the Philippines, made for him and the sound of a chip bag crinkling...for real. He still likes meeting new people and smiling at them (excpet for the lady at Kroger today, when he started squalling when she talked to us!). He enjoys pulling hair and touching peoples' faces and he loves when his daddy scratches his back.  He also likes to give big, sloppy kisses! His little chubby legs and feet are so ticklish. If he laughs too hard he gets the hiccups. Practically everything he gets in his hands goes in his mouth and I'm beginning to think teething is of the devil. I can still see the little specs of white under his gums but they don't seem to be in a hurry to come through. I realize we have a long road ahead of us in the area of teething, but it's still sad to see our little man in pain. 

 One special thing this month is how God has abundantly provided, beyond our needs. As I mentioned, Isaiah's cousins have passed down a jumpin' johnny, an exersaucer, a bumbo seat, and some clothes. We got a great deal buying a friends' pack-n-play and activity mat. And clothes. Both of my and Josh's dads had found strollers at some sales. And he's received so many gifts of clothes and toys. We even had a crib given to us! And Uncle Alan gave him his sock monkey :) This boy is loved, y'all. 

Isaiah, 

You're loved by so many people. Your dad and I are always so amazed at how people (even strangers) love to talk to you. And you love to smile and 'talk' in return. Your personality is so sweet and affectionate. You are truly a joy to be around. Your smile and your little giggle are contagious. I am praying, with expectation, that God will use your gentle, sweet disposition to draw many people to Himself. God has plans for you, Isaiah. He knitted you together when you lived in my belly and before you were born He knew every day that you would live. He knows every little hair on your almost bald head. And He always will. I'm so glad God made me your mommy. I can't help but love you more every day. 

Love, Mama

Isaiah,

You are so special.  You've been in seven different countries during this last month.  That's a pretty impressive feat for a six month old (not that you had just a whole lot of choice in the matter).  Praise God you acted well throughout those times.  You've probably cried more in the USA than you did during the rest of those other countries too.  Nevertheless, we love you and enjoy watching different people react and respond to you.  The Italians loved you too.  You had a police commander/chief lady fascinated with you and you held some Italian girl's finger while crossing the street.  You make us laugh and smile a lot.  While having a baby doesn't make everything easier or simpler, I do think it makes things better.  Thank you for what you do for us, even if you haven't a clue.

Love, Daddy