7 Months Young

Twenty-Seven Weeks

Twenty-Eight Weeks

Twenty-Nine Weeks

Thirty Weeks

Weight: 21 lbs. (Done at home)

Sleeping: Bed at 7:30pm. Wake up around 7am. (I know that seems early, but it works best with our schedule. Although I wouldn't complain if he slept in a little longer some days ;) ) 4 naps - around 30 minutes each. He has been taking hour long naps the past few days when he is at home and in his own bed.

A few different times this month, for a few different reasons, we were out pretty late. He have discovered that if Charles does not go to bed between 7:30-8 he does not sleep well all night long. By not sleep well I mean getting up 4-6 times and waking up way early the next day. Weird, I know. But after 4 different times, I get it. The boy loves his bedtime.

New Skills:
~ Okay, so I know this isn't really a skill, but... C got 2 teeth this month! He was such a champ. I wouldn't have known except I have been regularly checking for them. We noticed the first one on November 10th and the second one on the 16th! I tried to get a picture, but couldn't. They are so cute and came in so quickly!
~ His little personality is really starting to come out! I love it!

~ Sitting is getting better and better!

~ He is really loving the textures of everything. It is fun to watch him learn about how different things feel (and taste)

~ He has started passing objects from one hand to the other.

He Loves:
~ Being scared... Okay not the scary type of scared, the silly kind. He always laughs so hard! Peek-a-boo doesn't cut it. You really have to make him jump if you want to hear some belly giggles.
~ Looking in the mirror
~ Playing the air drums with his daddy
~ Playing with my hair... although he has grabbed it a few times, he normally enjoys just running his fingers through it. And since having my hair played with is the best, I will happily oblige!
~ Playing with necklaces... this kiddo loves necklaces! They are so shiny and they taste so good! ;)

He Doesn't Like: For the first time this month C has thrown a hissy fit. Although they have only been a few seconds long, not getting his way is very upsetting! To be fair, a few of them were because he was chewing on the wrong side of his spoon and I took it from him, turned it around, and gave it back (seriously, how dare I?!). I didn't want him to gag himself. Silly me didn't know that the handle is oh so much better.

Exciting Things We Did: 

We celebrated my birthday this month. It was really special because we did a stay-ca (stayed at home, but acted like tourists). Ty took a day off of work and we got to spend the whole weekend together. Seriously, there is nothing I wanted more for my birthday. On Friday we spent the day in Hershey. We visited Hershey. We ate breakfast at the Hershey Lodge, visited Chocolate World, took the trolly tour (which was awesome), and went to a really cool antique mall.  

Saturday we went into Lancaster city. We ate at one of my favorite cafes, visited and shopped at the market, and took Theo to the dog park. It was really fun! 

This was Charlie's face during the whole ride through Chocolate World. We think it was a little too overstimulating for the poor little guy. He was pretty cranky the rest of the day. oops.  

We celebrated Charlie's first Thanksgiving and his first (laying) snow on the same day!

We got our Christmas tree and decorated it. C loves to sit in front of it and watch all the lights and ornaments. 

brothers <3

We celebrated Thanksgiving again with my side of the family.

Charlie and his great-grandmother Bleecher

First time sitting like a big boy in a shopping cart! 

Misc.:

Unfortunately, we had to say good-bye to Charlie's great-grandmother Hollinger this month. It was very unexpected, but we are happy that we know we will see her again! After the funeral, Charlie and I went into his room to read some books and unwind. The first book I randomly picked up to read was the one pictured above. As soon as I opened it I noticed a note - it was from grandma. It was really special and touching moment. Even though she is in heaven, she is still telling people about Jesus' love for them!

Some More Pictures:

Sitting up like a big boy!

Riding the lawn mower with daddy for the first time!

C, every time that I get to feed you at home (especially in the morning) we sit in the green rocker and snuggle in-between sides and after eating. It is my absolute favorite time. I love to be still with you and soak in all your baby-goodness. Lately, we even watch the sunrise together. During this time you often rest your head on my shoulder and play with my hair and necklace. I wish those moments would never ever end. I can not believe that you are 7 months old! It seems like just yesterday I spent my mornings feeling your feet in my tummy. Please slow time down a little, okay? Thanks.

Stop the Clock! 6 Months

Twenty-Two Weeks

Twenty-Three Weeks

Twenty-Four Weeks

Twenty-Five Weeks

Twenty-Six Weeks

Weight and height done at 6 month well baby check up

Weight: 19.4 lbs (83rd percentile)

Height: 28" (95th percentile)

Head: 17.5 cm (82nd percentile)

Sleeping: Nothing too new with sleeping, other than the time change (still getting up an hour early a week and a half later). Also, right after he turned 5 months, there was a week were he screamed all throughout the night (even after I would give in and put him in bed with us). Thank goodness that pasted. We are blaming teeth. Still rocking the 30 minute naps, 40 if we are really lucky :)

New Skills:
~ He can sit up by himself for little bit. He will be sitting all by himself with no problem in no time!
~ Lifting his body off the ground using his arms

He Loves:
~ Rolling all over the place (finally), especially with his stuffed doggie named "Tag."
~ He loves brother Theo. It has been so much watching the two of them together lately. Charlie loves to pull Theo's hair. Theo has been taking it like a champ.
~ Clapping! When others clap for him or help him clap he bursts out in laughter!
~ His bouncer
~ Going for runs in the stroller. He likes to sit and watch everything go by.

He Doesn't Like:
~ The size 6+ pacifiers. They make him gag.

Exciting Things We Did:

We went to the Country Barn were we got to take a tractor ride out to a pumpkin patch and pick our own pumpkins! Charlie had such a blast! Okay, lets be honest, it's a tradition we would love to keep doing, but C just wanted to nap the whole time. It will definitely be lots of fun next year when we go!

"Okay seriously guys?! I just want to nap. Stop trying to take my picture with our pumpkins!" 

We made Charlie sit in one of the pumpkins we picked. He realllly did not like the pumpkin on his head, but really loved it in his mouth. :)

Is it terrible that I find the upset feelings of my child completely adorable in this picture?

We went to the cabin! 

Playing cards with Grampy!

Helping him win!

We took a really long hike. It took us about three hours, which isn't too long, except when you aren't exactly sure were you are going and you have 2 tired 6 years olds, and an exhausted 3 year old. Charlie did great and really enjoyed it even though the picture may seem differently.

Wearing cousin Jackson's hat (that cousin Titus always wears)

Daddy teaching him how to play soccer already!

Charlie's first Halloween! We had Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin, and Tigger! We skipped trick or treating and just went over to Grandpa and Grandma Hollinger's house. 

So we bought Charlie's costume a month early at a sale. He had plenty of room to grow into when we bought it, so we put it in the closet and forgot about it until we got to the parking lot and went to put it on. Let's just say it was a little to small...but we got it on... and then we had to cut it off. Parent fail. No worries though! Our little Pooh Bear was A-OK. ;)

We had a hard time getting a good photo

Thankful for a daddy that will "dress up" too

Charlie and Grandma Hollinger

Pooh needs honey, right?

Some More Pictures:

Mommy's apple is yummy!

Big boy!

Helping daddy with the mail

Because I seriously can't get over that little sleeping face

I love you a bushel and a peck!