Neighborhood Watchman!

 Typically the first thing we hear when people meet or see Piers is, "Wow, he's BIG!" He sure is! Turns out he's almost as big as our friends' one year old daughter! At his 6 mo. appointment he tipped the scales at 18 lbs and 1.5 oz and measured in at  27" long, putting him in the 60th and 90th percentiles, respectively. Piers is a giggly boy these days, he likes when we "eat his ear" lift him up like "Super Baby" and make funny noises. He's also very busy playing with his toys. He likes to spin plastic cylinders, play his piano and trys to get his ball. He also likes to hear the noise of a his toys or hands hitting a hard surface. It's only happened once, but he even rolled from back to front last Saturday. I was lying on the floor with him, turned my head for a split second, and that's when he decided to "rollem-mim-o'ers"! Of course Piers hasn't quite gotten the hang of scooting forward when he wants a toy - instead he tries to fly to it. On his tummy, he stretches both arm out in a superman position and lifts his legs up. I have to give him credit for creativity on that one. Logically, assuming an aerodynamic position does seem like a fairly sound (and quick) way to get to where one might want to go. The other day I shared a fun moment with Piers. The two of us were laying on our backs and Piers was holding his pacifier in the air. As he was about to bring the pacifier into his mouth, I opened my mouth, as if to say, "hey, give me the pacifier!" I swear he actually got the irony of the joke - we both laughed out loud. Since day 1 Piers has had somewhat of an old soul. He's a thinker, he's very aware and observant, smart - and now, he's not only funny, but has a keen sense of humor.

Last but not least, Piers has a new favorite activity - window watching! He's the 3rd Ave NE Watchman! He likes to look at all the cars, bikes, buses, people, dogs and trucks. He enjoys hearing the sounds of nature and the liveliness of our little corner of the world. Never a dull moment when looking out the window - and never a dull moment with Piers.

May 2010 - 6 mo.

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Solids, Smarts n' Stuff!

Piers is growing bigger and bigger everyday! He's not even quite 6 months old and he is already tipping the scales at 18 lbs! We will have an official weight when we bring him in for his 6 month appointment. Piers is a sharp little cookie - he can usually pick up his pacifier and put it into his mouth, focus on a single toy (usually wanting to put it into his mouth - including heavy toys like his piano and play cube), gets excited when he sees his bottle (and Mommy) and gets really excited when he eats!
 He loves his apple-flavored rice cereal. Priscilla at daycare commented that "he is a joy to feed, he eats like he loves it - a real meat and potatoes kind of man." Well, perhaps not sweet potatoes! The other night we gave Piers his first taste of sweet potatoes - he got so darn mad! He must have screamed for 10 minutes - he even refused his apple-flavored rice cereal after that - I'm pretty sure he thought we were trying to poison him! Besides the cereal and sweet potatoes, Piers has tried apples and bananas - the jury's still out on whether he loves bananas - but we can safely say he doesn't hate them, given his reaction to the sweet potatoes.

Piers also likes to smile and giggle at himself in the mirror, or when we pick him up at daycare - he can even get a good snort going when he laughs - just like his Mama. Piers is also in the mode of imitation. Last weekend at Gramma and Grandpa M's house, he copied Grandpa banging a toy on the high chair. It sure did make a neat sound! We have video of the event and will post soon.
Piers still isn't sleeping well at night. We've stopped swaddling him, but he wakes up and wants his pacifier put back in his mouth - it becomes my third job and it's exhausting. Usually we give up at some point and bring him in our bed with us - even though we now have a crib in the living room. On a final note, it's true how ill everyone gets once daycare becomes part of the routine. Piers was sick on Easter, Kirk was sick shortly thereafter, then it was my turn - and now Piers again - hardly a month has passed! In fact, it seems his cough never really went away. Hearing my little guy cough just breaks my heart! More to come soon, thanks for checking in! (more pics have been posted under the April below)

- Mama

April 2010 - 5 mo.

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Good Luck Charmer

Weight - 15 lbs 6 oz

Height - 24"

It's March - and you know what that means. . .I celebrated my very first St. Patty's Day!! I drank so much I even spit-up all over myself (but that's normal, see below). My daddy recently found out that he's a little Irish - so add that to my mommy's Irish heritage, and I'm the real-deal!

My newest trick is to suck my bottle and thumb, at the same time!! I'm sure keepin' mom, dad and the daycare busy with my spit-up! Mommy told the doctor about this at my 4 month check-up, and the doc prescribed Zantac (she said it would help with my acid reflux). It's been well over two weeks now, and Mama still isn't sure it's helping! On a more exciting note, I'm grabbing and reaching and playing all the time (and putting whatever I can into my mouth)!! My mama and daddy even bought me a big contraption called an "exersaucer." It's quite a hoot! I'm pretty sure I rule the world from its helm. I'm getting so smart I even recognise, and get excited, when I see mommy and daddy after a long day of work (some call it daycare). I'm even rolling over from tummy to back! I push myself all the way up, like I'm doing a push up, and BAM - I roll over! Now that I've figured out how to out-smart tummy time, I don't mind it so much! Life is treating me pretty good so far! My Mommy reminds me everday that I'm as BIG as I've ever been, yet as small as I'll ever be. It makes her happy and a little sad at the same time - I'm a big boy, yet i'll always be her baby. (more pics have been uploaded below).

March 2010 - 4 mo.

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