So that marked a first, as did his grocery cart ride at Sprouts the other day. I'm sure I'd have sat him in the cart seat earlier; this was just the first time he was at a grocery store where we didn't walk there with him in the Ergo. It was also adorable to watch... loved his little white-knuckle grip on the bar in front of him.
I think most of his behavior is adorable to watch, actually, so I recognize my bias. Even the way he thinks his clip-on high chair is a something in which to bounce and swing is hilarious to me. It makes feeding him a total mess at times, but I can't figure out how to teach him to hold still! Josephine's always worried everything's going to fall off the table because he shakes it so much!
In terms of self-propelled movement, just in the last few days I've seen him make progress towards crawling. He's currently pushing himself backwards (much to his frustration), but I see his little legs going every which way as he tries to figure it out: up under him, back out, side to side, frog-kicking, pedaling, etc. Eventually he'll get it all coordinated! But there's something newly determined on his face regarding the whole thing. He seems to understand there is actually a POINT to being on his tummy, now... to reach further and get into things!! The incentive is definitely there.
:-)
March 16 - the exersaucer at my parents' house
When we first got home, I started Clement and Josephine sleeping in the same room, and they both went through an adjustment time where they woke up constantly-- but not really at the same time. So it seemed less contagious, and more like it was just the stress of being in a new place, new arrangement. Sleep has gotten a little more normal since then, and some nights have actually gone extremely well. There's something about closing the door on them in there sleeping together for their nap or nighttime that just really warms my heart.
March 9 - still in Astoria
Clement's eczema is still unresolved. I decided earlier this week to try cutting out all nuts at the same time. (I have tried peanuts before, or peanuts and walnuts, but still had almond milk or something in a granola... it doesn't seem like I've ever managed to cut out ALL nuts). I also decided to start eating gluten again (just because the restrictions are getting insane), and I cheated ONCE on dairy during a day when I felt discouraged because his rash just seemed so bad still, and I didn't think it'd make much of a difference. Huge mistake. Not when it came to his rash-- but because I got knocked on my rear by seasonal allergies. Sean and Josephine had been reacting strongly to everything in the air since we got back, but even with all my cleaning and dusting and work out side, I hadn't really been bothered at all (which is highly unusual for me). I don't know if it was reinstating gluten or the one small dairy cheat, but I seriously suffered for it!! I immediately cut gluten back out and have decided cheating on dairy isn't worth it! I still have some residual achiness and sore throat/sniffles, but am recovering quickly. (Interestingly, I mentioned to Josephine that cutting out dairy might help her allergies. She said she would talk to her body about it. Today she said her body wanted to not have dairy. So she didn't have any dairy today, in any form, and this was the first day we've been here where she hasn't had a runny nose. She still sounds a little congested, but she seemed dramatically improved, even with an hour out at the windy playground. I really hope it helps relieve some of her suffering-- this is SUCH a pretty time of year to be outside!)
Anyway, his cheeks have seemed to recover noticeably after I cut out all forms of nuts, which is where he's had most of his residual suffering. I thought that was quite encouraging, but then this evening, some kind of rash was back on his tummy. Could be the lotion, or the shirt I changed midday, or I also ate a lot of salami today. Nitrates maybe? Obviously there is still some sort of outstanding variable. All that to say, I'm still trying my darnedest to make progress on this front!
I'm taking both Clement and Josephine in to the pediatrician for well-checks and vaccinations on April 5, so hopefully we'll have some stats and data then. (And perhaps some new insights into the skin issues).
He seems to be growing well, though. He nurses when he wakes up, then eats breakfast. He nurses before eating lunch. He nurses before eating dinner. He nurses before bed. Since there are only those 4 nursing sessions during the day, I guess that's why he's still waking up around 4 for a feeding... and it's probably important that I feed him then in terms of keeping up my supply. Maybe I'll try finding another time to nurse him during the day to see if that makes a difference...
The only other thing I can think of right now to mention is how much I love it when he gets all sing-song-y. Sometimes he just coos and talks sweetly. But he also starts "singing" sometimes when he hears other people singing or music. Just sort of soft, smooth, sustained vowel tones. I love his vocal interactions. And just yesterday he seemed to start lifting his hand to say "Hi" to us at dinner. Josephine and I have spent a good amount of time waving at him, and he did seem to use the hand lift in addition to lots of eye contact and talking, so I think it's a bonafide wave-- a new level of him connecting with us. Regardless, it's just cute to have him sitting there with his hand up in the air talking to you so sweetly.
This boy.
I am so smitten.
Happy 8 months, buckaroo!
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