7 months!

It really is amazing how much happens in just one month. James is always changing. While sometimes it seems like I've been feeding him plain ol' baby food forever, I look back on his calendar and realize I just started the baby food one month ago. I took it very slowly at first, but now seem to try sometimes new with him everyday.

James still nurses every 3-4 hours, and is now eating 2 meals a day. He doesn't seem super interested in food though. He'll open his mouth but eats slow and never gives much indication that he's enjoying it.

James is a cool, calm, collected baby and spends most of the day hanging out and observing
(or just sucking on his toes)! 

He really only makes noises when he's tired or when he's laughing and being playful.

James smiles on command and will give me a hundred different expressions in one 5 minute photo shoot:

Gotta love the pointed toes, clenched fists, and whole body smile!  

He's just so darn cute that his siblings usually like to come out and take their own pictures of him while I'm trying to get a good one. 

Typical schedule at 7 months is:
6:30am Awake - always quiet in bed- I wouldn't know you were awake if I didn't go into check.
Everyone LOVES going in when you first wake up, We all just stand around your crib and you look up at us with the sweetest smiles.
7:45am Take siblings to school - sometimes drive, sometimes ride in the double Bob while Elle rides her bike.
9am nap
11am awake
(On the days we need to run morning errands, you will just sleep in your seat for an hour while we're on the go. The other day I brought you and Calvin to the dentist with me. I left you in your seat, facing me, and you were asleep as soon as the hygienist started cleaning my teeth. You never made a fuss, cry, or anything.)
11:50am we take Calvin to school
Your second nap is always different depending on when you woke up from your first. Usually somewhere between 12:30 and 1:30. We always read stories before naps - your favorites are:
*Mommies say Shhh! by Patricia Polacco
*Wheels on the Bus
*Goodnight Moon (usually save this one for before bedtime)
2pm I pick up Elle from school. It's just down the street so I leave you asleep.
2:30pm We leave to pick up Madi from Cape.
3:00pm Pick up Cal from Dos Caminos
This is your longest stretch of awake time. Sometimes we're running your sisters to activities, but we're mostly home doing homework, piano practice, reading, etc. You play on the floor with toys all around you (I love this stage where you've mastered sitting up).
5:30pm You eat dinner - usually oatmeal cereal mixed with some type of veggie(s).
6pm Bath
6:45 Stories
7pm Bed
1:30am You usually wake up once at night and usually right around 1:30 or 2am. I need to break you of this habit!

His face, eyes, expressions. . . . melt my heart!

Couldn't love our sweet boy anymore! It's killing me how fast he's growing and changing. I wish I could freeze time! 

Back to School

Today was our official first day of school for all the kids. Cape started last week, so it was actually Madi's fifth day, but she joined us in all the excitement of the morning! 

Spencer was in San Diego for work so it was just me getting everyone off to school. Breakfast, hair, lunches, pictures - all before 7:40am . . .  it was quite the busy morning! And it didn't help that the kids were more interested in checking out all the rat traps that Spencer had set the night before - especially since we caught one!! I was shocked our pictures actually turned out! 

Mali's at Cape in Ms. Scheimer's class and loving it. 

Elle is at Tierra Linda (still on the waiting list for Cape) in Mrs. Bowen's class. 

Cal is in Peep at Dos Caminos in Ms. Barbara's class again (because she's so wonderful)! He goes Monday- Thursday from 12-3pm. 

Off they go . . .

I figured I'll get about an hour and a half to myself every afternoon while James is sleeping and before I have to leave to get Elle at 2pm. I sure love these kids, but boy have I been anxious to get a break. Everyone talks about how sad they are that summer is over but I'm just exhausted. The go go go of summer and kids constantly in my space had me more than ready for school to start back up. The kids were ready for school too. It's gonna be a great year! 

6 months!

James contines to be our angel baby. He is seriously a dream - always happy and smiling. Several times I've been out running errands with him facing forward in the Bjorn and people at the grocery store, bank, post office (wherever) can't focus on what I'm asking/telling them because James will just sit there and smile at them.

He's entered the good/easy stage. He goes down great for naps and bed - no more rocking/bouncing required. He's gotten more interactive with books which is fun. I always try to read stories before naps and bed. Then I nurse him (which usually puts him to sleep) and lay him down. I'm working on laying him down awake. He always wakes up once at night - usually around 2am - then up at 6:30am. He usually takes two 3 hour naps or 3 shorter naps if we're on the go. I love how happy and content he is after a good nap. He's always so chill and quiet hanging out in his bed that we always have to go in and check on him to see if he's awake.

James started eating solids right before leaving on our trip (so right after turning 5 months). First rice cereal, then oatmeal, then peas, and now squash.

He is also starting to sit up unassisted. I think we've counted 20 seconds he can sit by himself before falling over. He just keeps getting better and better every day.

Almost half of this past month was spent on a midwest family road trip to Kansas, Michigan and Nauvoo.  James was a total champ with all the driving/flying/different beds/change of schedule/naps on the go/new faces/etc.  I was so surprised and happy at how well he did.

 

Oh how we love LovE loVE this sweet, happy, baby boy!! I really am cherishing every second wth him!

Ventura County Fair

I usually just hit up Dollar days for the fair which is the first Wednesday that the fair opens. But this year we were given full priced entrance tickets to the fair as well as a ton of ride tickets so we decided to go on a Saturday, so that Spencer could come along with us. I loved being able to go as a whole family.  

It was such a fun day. We saw tons of animals, watched the pig races, watched a middle school spelling bee, rode lots of rides, (Elle conquered her fear of the swings), played a couple carnival games, and completed a huge world map puzzle (with the help of 2 other moms who joined in). I couldn't have asked for a better day.