Peeks + Weekending it

Doing another big week round-up since I missed my Peeks from Friday.

Last Monday, Kip woke-up with hives. We had no clue what they were from. They faded in an hour but I took him to the doctor anyways since we had just started solids and was unsure if it was a food allergy. Dr. Karen couldn't pinpoint anything but said to proceed with caution and avoid the big food allergy culprits (eggs, peanuts, fish). The rest of the week seemed fine but both Mandy and I think it may be connected to bananas.

Ugh. So stressful.

Also on Monday, cousin Kourtney came over to visit!

She brought Kippy some new bibs which he loves.

We had some really lovely warm days last week which I didn't get to enjoy since I was stuck in the office and I don't feel like I can take extra breaks on top of my pumping so I just dreamed of spring. The warm weather was short lived and we had rain and cold most of the weekend.

On Thursday our Super came through the apartment to finish putting bars on the window (legally required if you have kids under 12). He also tested some spots of chipped paint on some door frames. They tested positive for lead paint which I was NOT surprised by but he was since he thought our landlord had removed all the lead. Anyways, the presence of lead paint is a problem especially for a baby and the risk of him ingesting it. So, we have to wait to find out how they will take care of that. Luckily, Kip isn't mobile yet and we've already got plans in place to keep him in safe spaces once he starts crawling. But, yeah, that needs to be taken care of.

I've been getting clogged milk ducts the last few weeks and it is so stressful. I have to work really hard to get them out and the one I got on Wednesday is still hanging on. It's hard to tell if it's just tender and sore or if it's still there. I live in fear of mastitis.

Mandy didn't stay the weekend since she had a hair appointment and we didn't go to NJ so Dan and I hung around with Kip. We walked to go get crepes for brunch on Saturday and played the rest of the day.

I also got like half my hair chopped off. I lost so much hair after the pregnancy and I wanted something easy to maintain. It's shorter than I asked for (as usual) but I don't hate it so that's a plus.

On Sunday, I had my service team so we got to church early so Kip could sleep in the car. He also ended up sleeping through the service as well which was SO NICE. I hadn't been able to sit in the service for the sermon since before he was born so that was an unexpected treat.

Grocery shopping and laundry the rest of the day.

I'm sad the Olympics are over. I really enjoyed the celebratory TV watching. Now Dan and I are on Netflix and Amazon binge watching spree tracking down all documentaries about athletic doping. Very fascinating.

Spending the day with Kippy! Have a happy Monday.

Bagel Boy

Kippy's first New York bagel had to be documented.

Look at that death grip he has on that thing??

Kippy didn't actually eat any of his first bagel but just gummed it up a little. A friend told me they make great teethers so there will be more in his future for sure.

Weekending it

This weekend our Saturday playdate plans got canceled so we decided to follow Mandy into New Jersey. Although it costs a leg in tolls to get to her area, it is such a nice escape to indulge in some suburban amenities. Kippy does so well in the car and I enjoy riding around. I swear I'll get back into driving soon. Just so scary when you haven't done it in years and then have to jump into city driving with a brand new car and a brand new baby. Dan is so gracious to do all the driving right now.

While in NJ, we did a bit of shopping, had lunch, and then drove around the neighborhood that Mandy works in the other days of the week when she is not with Kip. Mini mansions.

We headed back to Brooklyn mid-afternoon to drop off something with a friend before the snow arrived. It was supposed to be 3-6 inches but by Sunday morning it didn't look like much more than an inch, if that. It all melted by afternoon.

We had church and grocery shopping on Sunday. Kip took another late afternoon car nap and before we knew it, the day was over.

Dan and I did our taxes Sunday night!!! Glad to get the out of the way and excited for the baby refund. Woot!! Loving watching the Olympics at night right now. One thing I'm a little bummed about is how late the ice skating is on TV. We were in bed and forcing ourselves to stay awake just to see a little of the ice dancing event. I mean, skiing is cool an all but the ice skating is my favorite.

Dan didn't get the holiday today but Kippy and I are being restful and productive. I had to take him into the doctor this morning for some alarming hives he woke up with. Ugh!! No clue what caused them but we are being extra cautious with introducing new foods now. Really hoping he doesn't have a serious food allergy.

The weather is supposed to be lovely this week and I'm grateful for the little taste of spring!!! Happy President's Day!

Peeks from the Week

On Monday I took Kippy to his 6 month well visit. He did so well considering he was extremely overdue for a nap. If you missed his 6 Month Update, see that here. He is growing and developing well and he only cried a tiny bit when he got 3 shots, including the flu shot which I was so relieved to finally get out of the way. I know it's not helping much this season but it's better than nothing and it is so rampant in our area right now. Ugh. SUMMER SAVE US!

After his shots he took a nice long nap.

Then we had friends over for lunch and a play date.

This week we also started really jumping into solid food. He had tastes previously but now we are trying to fit in actual "meals."

We didn't really do much for Valentine's Day, just exchanged cards and candy. But Kip was festive.

We've had some warmer days this week which is so welcome and really lifting spirits. Spring is surely on the way.

Kippy is also learning how to sleep on his belly which means I get up less in the night to help flip him over!!! Bliss!

And his core is getting stronger and stronger. Sitting-up is fun!

We mainly have tentative plans this weekend so I'm hopeful it will be both productive and fun. Happy Friday!!

Little Valentine

And, just for fun...this was our little Valentine post last year. Oh what a difference a year makes!

Kippy || 6 Months Old

On Saturday, Kippy had his first ever half birthday! Our little Kipper is 6 months old and I can't believe it. Time moves at warp speed the second you're handed your baby. I've truly never experienced anything that has seemed to pass so quickly.

Kipling at Six Months 

Weight 17 lbs 4.8 oz (up from 14 lbs. 4 oz. in December)

Height 26.97 inches (up from 25.5 inches in December)

Personality: CURIOUS and active

Happy:

Excited:

Likes:
Being held. Constantly (but not snuggled)
Pacifier
Grabbing anything in sight and sticking it in mouth
Looking at books with Daddy
Pulling on Mandy or Mama's hair
BATH TIME, always

Dislikes:
Being set down or put in the crib
Getting diaper changes first thing in the morning
Waking up without the pacifier in your mouth
Getting stuck on your tummy and unable to flip back
Being forced to snuggle

Wearing:
Size 3 diapers
6-9 month clothing

Things I want to remember about Kippy at six months old:
The way you've started caressing/rubbing your head when you are falling asleep.
How you pant like a dog when you're excited.
When I come to get you in the morning and you look up at me with a big smile and then sneeze two times. You sneeze like this almost every day.
The way you hold your feet together, sole to sole. I call them your prayerful feet.
When your first teeth popped-up and you figured out how to rub your tongue over them or suck in your lips.
That rare afternoon when you fell asleep on me for nearly two hours.
How absolutely flipping excited you get in the bath tub.
All your expressive faces
The way your eyes get droopy and your mouth hangs open when you're tried but you're trying to hang.

When I was writing this post and going through photos on my phone I kept thinking that I must have missed recapping a month somewhere because it feels like eternity since I wrote the last one. But no, I'm not behind, January was really just the longest month of the century. At six months, you grew so much and made many big leaps. You started really rolling over mainly from back to tummy. Your first two teeth started coming in. You just started sitting up on your own. And you tasted some of your first solid foods. You're more aware and more expressive and all together more interactive and fun. Your personality is blossoming and it's so neat to witness. You are very active and love looking around and taking it all in.

Sleep
This last month Kippy started taking better naps. It was almost like as soon as he hit the 5 month mark he figured out how to nap longer than 30 minutes. We still have some days that are a mess but for the most part, he does nap. We can usually get 3, 45 minutes to an hour naps a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. We keep track of his naps in a little notebook and while we don't have a strict schedule, he usually naps between every feed except after his 3 pm bottle and bedtime bottle. The trouble this month is he learned how to flip over on his tummy in the night and can't figure out how to get back. So he cries until I rescue him. I usually get up 2-3 times in the night to flip him over or get the pacifier back in his mouth. Minor inconvenience but still could be improved.

Eat
Still breastfeeding well! I feel like we are finally experiencing what you're supposed to when nursing. It only took half a year. Kippy takes four 5.5 oz bottles during the day if I'm not with him, and sometimes takes a couple extra ounces when in a growth spurt. I pump about 40 oz a day, so still an oversupply. Kippy tried his first tastes of food this month. He has tasted avocado, sweet potato, apple sauce, and banana. After his appointment and some tips from the doctor, we are really starting solids with earnest this week.

Play
Kippy is finally playing! And it is so cute. He grabs things and is starting to manipulate toys. He loves his jumper and can engage with all the features. He loves to knock towers over, would love to eat all his books, and has basically slobbered over everything in his toy basket. He likes the little pretend phones and the fake coffee cup. His squishy monkey toy in his car seat and his sensory elephant toy are his favorites. Mandy got him a little mirror and he loves to see himself which is different from a few months ago when his reflection scared him. He even snuggles with the small baby doll Terri Mom got him.

He is such a little nugget and I just love watching him grow and explore. But my heart aches to hold that little newborn baby again. So torn between the fun developments and the snuggly newborn days. Happy half birthday baby boy!