As much time on the outside as on the inside – a huge milestone!

Things are going so well over here.  Henry seems more and more like a boy and less like a baby every single day. When our friends come over, that’s the first thing they say – “He seems so much older!”  I think this is because he’s doing lots of big boy things now, like taking unassisted steps (his max is 14,  but most of the time, it’s more like 5) and talking. So much talking!

How can this be?! He’s changed so much. In fact, there are so many changes that I’m just going to do this post in bullet point format.

• Henry talks all the time now.  His favorite sounds are Da Da, but he can say one real word: DOGH!  Or dog.  He says it to the dogs and to the cat.  We’re working on cat.

• He eats three square meals now.  His favorite foods include tofu, beans, eggs, blueberries, lentils, steamed greens, and packets of carrots.

• He sleeps from 7:30 to 6, but I think he’s going through a sleep regression right now.  It’s been rough.  I’ve also been loose on my sleep training methods and think I need to go back and get strict again.  Give that baby an inch and he takes a mile. He takes two naps.  I think he dropped the third too soon and that’s why his nighttime are messed up.

• He hangs out at childcare about three times a week while I work out.  He loves the ladies and other babies.  We go to mom’s group once a week.  His favorite places include the museum and the park.  He LOVES being outside (I do, too!).  He goes for a walk in the stroller every day.

• He’s 17.8 pounds and 28.5 inches long.  He has two teeth that are so cute.  I need to start brushing them but the idea terrifies me.  If you ever met Henry in real life, you would understand why!

• He can point and is beginning to wave.  He brings me toys to ‘show me’ his prizes.  His favorite toys are balls of all sizes.  He likes to chuck them over the second floor landing (who taught him to do that?!).

• He also loves BUBBLES.  I have to blow bubbles non-stop or he starts screaming the moment I stop.  It’s so funny – he’s so demanding.

• He’s on formula now (lots of people have asked which kind; we’re using Baby’s Only organic). I am so glad that I made it to 8.5 months of pumping but even happier for that part of my journey to be OVER.

• Our favorite time of the day is the morning after his first longer nap.  He is so happy and fun.

• He is generally a well-rounded, happy, friendly baby. He is hardly ever scared or upset, although he does get clingy in the evenings.  That’s okay with me though – he seems so independent during the day that it’s nice to be reminded that he still needs me.  I love him so much!

Oh, and a brief me update (although you guys pretty much already now this!):  Fitness is going really well.  I’m working out 4 – 5 times a week for Ironman March, doing a variety of swimming, running, biking. I am SO excited for triathlon season and can’t wait to give it my all.

Life is good. I am thankful every single day.