YOU MADE IT DUDE. (and somehow so did I with these monthly pictures!)
from 8 lbs 14 oz and 21.5“ long to 22.2 lbs and 29.5“ tall
That was by far the fastest month of my entire life! Wow! What can I say to wrap up these first precious weeks with Gideon!? He's been working on crawling since day one and already has amazing neck support because of it. He fights sleep during the day, but only wakes up about once or twice at night. He's always moving – ALWAYS – even when he's asleep. His eyes are currently a deep color of jade. He farts like a 40 year old man (we could seriously blame our farts on him and nobody would question us). He eats often and has outgrown all his newborn clothes and diapers. His right eye is always just slightly squinted. He falls asleep after like 5 minutes of nursing about 90% of the time. He loves to stare at the trees (what he's doing here) and loves lights. He's not into lying on his back. He does not like to be restrained in swaddles, carriers, carseats, etc. unless he's also moving or has fallen into a deep sleep. He's determined. He's curious. He's made our lives so much more full! We are SO in love!
Look at those leg rolls! This little guy is a champ – in the 95th percentile in height and weight (but in the 100th percentile in cuteness); I cracked into his 3-6 month clothes 2 weeks ago. His need for speed is still going strong- doing baby crunches and standing up with our help all day long! He's still working on finding his thumb, but who really needs to when you can practically fit your whole fist in your mouth. And he's also moved on to chewing and drooling on everything!! He's so smiley and interactive and has the sweetest baby voice. He loves music and can be entertained by mommy's dance moves for the longest time. And he'll start "goooing" along with you when you sing to him, like he's trying to join in on the song. His favorite place to be this month is dangled over daddy's shoulder – can't climb any higher when you've reached the summit . He's such a happy little guy – but he'll make you work for it! (All I've got to say is, David and I won't be needing to join a gym anytime soon.) But the best update of ALL is how much he lovesss the Trololo song! (If you haven't heard it, look up "Trololo Guy" on YouTube - just don't blame me if you have weird dreams tonight...) The tune never fails to bring a smile even in the midst of a meltdown. I was for sure singing it when I took this photo! All my days are yours. I love you.
And all of the sudden he’s not so much of a tiny baby anymore! Pretending he can “walk”, trying so hard to get up off the floor (keep trying bud), rolling over, and thinking his own reflection is absolutely hilarious. This month he started to really show that he knows Mommy and Daddy best and feels so happy and comforted in our arms. He went on his first big road trip, clocking over 3,000 miles in the car (and still has a couple thousand more to go) which means this entire third month of his little life has been spent completely on the road. He visited 6 new states, camped in the desert, and sat in three different hot springs. He was finally introduced to his own kind (i.e. babies). And spent most of these last 4 weeks chewing on his hands, our hands, and pretty much any other hand he could get his hands on. Life is so much better with you here. (same onesie, just a little bit tighter - picture taken in Arizona) (0-3 month onesie)
This boy. It’s crazy how much more it feels like I know him over this past month! He’s a passionate, LOUD little guy. Whether he’s happy, sad, tired, or bored, you will be sure to know it right away! (We did a quiz that named him a “spirited baby” haha That’s about right!) He has TWO bottom teeth – if you zoom in you can see them poking out of that cute, little grin! (And yes, I know what you’re thinking “OUCH!” and you are right!) He goes through about 5 bibs a day - possibly more. You will most likely find him with a fist full of hair, or your face, or whatever else he can find to grasp and then proceed to put in his mouth. His favorite is chewing on his thumb. He’s pretty easy to make smile and laugh, especially if you talk to him in a ridiculous voice, that makes you feel, well, ridiculous. But it’s always worth it. He still has the loudest farts on the block and is now making fart noises with his mouth too. But, probably my favorite thing this month is the way he “talks” himself to sleep, it’s very loud and theatric and absolutely adorable. That or his occasional snort while laughing! Getting to know you is so much fun Gideon! (3-6 month onesie )
This has been one busy month! Gideon experienced his first move, first flight, and first cold all in the same week – that was a doozy. He started grabbing his feet at the beginning of the month and now can’t stop. He particularly likes the challenge of holding one foot steady so he can chew on his big toe! And he usually ends up rocking side to side which has begun the rolling from back to belly, although he’s not quite there yet – he usually gets stuck before he makes it all the way. He finally started understanding the concept of tickling and has the absolute best baby laugh. Hands are still always in his mouth, that or Sophie the giraffe (They really knew what they were doing when they engineered that toy - G loves her!) He reaches for everything in sight (he swiped a full glass of water off the table once) and is definitely interested in food, although we haven’t introduced anything yet. He did try my banana the other day - he was adorably confused by the taste. Bath time is a highlight of his day and he has figured out the joys of splashing. He’s also begun to notice Gus’s presence in the house – that dog knows how to put on a good show for Gideon! And he’s become quite the babbler. My favorite is how he wakes up so happy in the morning with a loud “bah bah bah”. Another favorite this month is how affectionate he is when he nurses. He gently strokes my chest or rests his hand on my face. I usually grab it and kiss his palm and he always reaches for more - it is the sweetest thing. Our bond has gotten so much stronger this month. But he is definitely a daddy’s boy! That man can make him smile! We love getting to know our little boy! (3-6 month onesie)
I can’t believe this day has come and so soon! Half a year! How is that even possible. I’m scared to think how quickly the next 6 months will go! This has been a big month! You are sitting now, and have gotten pretty good at finding your balance when you’re reaching and wobbling around grabbing for toys. You’re favorite being the bin that they’re all kept in! You’re also rolling all over the place - mastering back to belly. You also have this strong double leg kick - sometimes when you’re angry but also just when you’re hanging out. It’s like a gnarly work out. And your feet have become your second set of hands. You grab things with your toes and use your feet to help get things to your hands. You want to crawl so bad, but your frustration to get to things hasn’t been motivation enough. You mostly end up doing push ups! Which is really impressive and looks like even harder work than moving yourself forward. You are loud and talkative and have started saying “mamamama”. I know you don’t know it sounds like you’re calling for me, but it’s still so sweet! But you definitely know your own name! And when you reach for me. Oh I love that! Introducing food has been another big change this month. You’ve already tried so many different things that I don’t think I’ll get into the whole list. But cucumber was definitely a favorite! Mild flavor and easy for you to grip :) You also love drinking water, especially out of my water bottle! And you now have FIVE teeth! The top, front two and the tooth to the right of your bottom front, all came in this month! And you’ve been initiated into California boyhood by eating sand - oops (3-6 month onesie in picture)
This past month has brought SO much change for Gideon. The biggest and most exciting being movement. He is army crawling all over. He can lie down and sit up on his own. He’s getting on hands and knees and starting to pull up onto things. (In the next couple weeks, I know he’ll be full-on crawling.) Being mobile has brought on some independence for him and he absolutely loves it. It’s been a huge improvement in life for him haha And he’s still really into his door jumper! But he’s going through a phase of battling diaper changes, most likely because it means he has to actually be still for a minute haha He got three more teeth this month - making 8 total (4 on top/4 on bottom). He really enjoys and gets really excited about eating - especially savory foods and particularly meats. And he’s really into drinking water, especially from my water bottle. I think my favorite thing this month is all his jibber-jabber. He’s super conversational and loves being talked to. If you look at him and make his sounds “dada” “bab” “bob” he gets really excited and starts saying it back enthusiastically. And of course I love how much he says “dada”. He hasn’t quite connected that it refers to David but it’s still really sweet! Oh and I’ve started practicing sign language with him - mostly “pick me up” “milk” “more” and “all done”. He definitely understands what’s coming when I make the signs and I can’t wait to watch him make more connections and try himself in the next few months. (6-9 month onesie in picture)
Oh you wondrous little child. You have grown in (almost) leaps and bounds this past month. You have become a master crawler and boy are you fast! You can climb up on practically anything you want to. And you are getting really good at falling and not making a fuss (me too! hehe) Diaper-changes are still more like wrestling matches and you won’t relent on trying to win that battle! You have been amazing us with your ability to learn and your willingness to trust us. You know what we mean when we say “don’t touch that” but that doesn’t stop you from testing what we reallyyy meant by that, by attempting to touch the thing you shouldn’t with other objects, or from different angles. “Hmm maybe they’ll let me touch it if I’m standing when I do it?” Haha you’re a clever cookie, little boy! You started sleeping in your very own bed, in your own separate room, apart from mama and dada for the first time ever! And by night three you were sleeping through the night without waking once! Thank you for that! You are also starting to show that you understand some sign language, nodding when I ask if you’re all done, and sometimes waving your hands along with me. Eating has become even more fun now that you are getting the hang of the pincer grip! You love grabbing and munching on Cheerios (typical baby) and you especially love crunching them between your teeth! Speaking of food, your little meal buddy, Gus, has really sparked your attention this month. You get so happy when you see him! And you want to play with him so badly, but he’s not so keen. Keep trying buddy! He’ll learn soon enough how lucky he is to have a forever friend in you! Maybe take a break from stealing his favorite bone so often, and he’ll start to warm up to you! There are so many favorite moments this month. I sure do love that you’ve begun to connect the word “mama” with me. I also love how easy you are to make giggle and your double chin smile! But I really really love saying “c’mon Gideon” and having you crawl towards me wherever you are! I’m pretty attached to you little bud! And I’m so so thankful to have you in my life! (6-9 mo onesie)
You throw your hands up in the air and balancing on one knee with one foot up in a lunge position. (Like he’s kneeling) He also loves throwing his body around and a rolling on beds and blankets. Like I said before DRAMATIC movements! Gus is still pretty stand-offish when it comes to the massive crawling baby always charging towards him, but Gideon will not relent. He absolutely adores playing “fetch” and tug a war with Gus and trying to sneak an aggressive pet here and there. Gideon is quite the conversationalist these days, babbling back when we talk to him and mimicking our tone of voice. It’s adorable! He’s attempted to say “all done” and “Gus” and uses the word “dada” for everything. He is pretty aware of a lot of what we’re saying to him and it’s fun to watch him make connections and light up when he understands. My favorite thing this month is watching David and Gideon play. Their favorite games are “I’m gonna get you” and hide-and-seek. Gideon also loves being on his daddy’s shoulders. He’s always so content up there watching the world.
This boy! What a “mighty warrior” he truly is becoming! He’s so strong and fast and wild! And has 12 teeth!!! Gideon is full of life and more theatric and entertaining than ever! This month he started free standing and took his first steps and of course I cried. Although, he’s so good at crawling he seems to lack motivation for walking. He’s not interested in taking it slow. Haha looks like he’ll really walk once he knows he can do it with confidence and speed! Gideon has been playing so well on his own these days. He lovesss walking with his push cart (we had to weigh it down with bricks so it didn’t topple over when he pushed it so hard haha) He also loves dragging his toys with strings behind him while he crawls (I can’t wait to see his joy at discovering this game while walking!) And of course he also enjoys pushing his wheeled toys around too. He started making a “brooomm” sound when he pushed his cars too. He’s so smart! Speaking of smart, he has mastered poking round objects through the hole in his little barn. He loves doing that! He still despises diaper changes and getting his boogies wiped. My favorite favorite thing this month is the way he started throwing his hands up in the air when he started learning to stand up. He totally started doing this al on his own and we mimic him. It’s adorable! He does it all the time now! Oh man, but I can’t forget to mention how cute it is when he waves at people! And he’s starting to clap too. But the waving. Oh people love when babies wave!
This was the month of true walking excitement. Every day has come with a new standing challenge and he met every one. For one, he is now standing up on his own, without the assistance of me or an object. I’m so excited to see him start walking all the time that I’m forgetting he’ll stop crawling altogether. He really is growing up so fast. I’m also very happy to say he has also finally learned to turn himself around and go backwards down stairs and beds, couches, etc. (This was a huge relief! haha) daddy is teaching him to throw, which has been a new favorite game along with dumping everything out of any box or bin or planter, basically something filled must be emptied in his little mind haha He has also become very fond of his little stuffies and lovies. We play with them and cuddle them and Gideon runs around with them in his arms at times. Gideon has gotten so good at mimicking us that it actually sounds like he is saying the words back to us. Although, where words are still in the works, signing has really come alive. He surprised me by asking to nurse by signing “milk” one day and has been so delighted since that he can communicate this desire so clearly now. Gideon also had his first pool and jacuzzi experience this month – and most definitely preferred the warmer of the two. No surprise there! Happy 11 months little man – you really are one step away from running babydom and into toddlerhood!
The month of the BIG milestone. My first ever forever baby turned one. He packed in so much before the 30th arrived. By the 5th he was full on walking. He cut two more teeth - number 15 and 16. He started saying and waving “bye” and “hi” any chance he could get. He now signs water, milk, please, and will sometimes point one finger when you ask him how old he is! He really enjoys playing with his lovies - especially Murphy and Rodeo. He’s more quirky and fun than ever. He loves to “sing” which sounds like “bab bab bab” with his arms waving side to side like he’s in an opera house! Everyone notices right away how theatrical he is and how much personality and spunk he has! He’s quite the aggressive player which is mostly fun but probably needs to be harnessed for good haha. If you’re lying on the ground he WILL launch himself over and onto you! Cracking up as he goes! He gives hugs and big open mouthed kisses! And loves book time with "da-da"! He can blow bubbles in the bath and isn’t afraid of putting his head under water. He still has an aversion to cold water. Guess we introduced him to hot springs at too early of an age. He loves Gussie so much and I think he has picked up some dog like behavior from him – like, carrying toys in his mouth and trying to sneak his dog food haha Although, Gus is still getting used to having this little rascally boy around! And this month marked Gideon becoming a BIG BROTHER! So I guess another big milestone this month!