Category: Monthly Updates

I promise to try and refrain from saying this every month from now on (aside from maybe when Jay turns a year old) but seriously where does the time go?!?!?!  6 months- my baby is 6 months old, how can that be?  Honestly, the time flies by so quickly but I LOVE this age so much!!  Jay is on the verge of being mobile but isn’t quite yet, he is really developing his personality, is curious about everything right now and is just so much fun to be around; I am constantly thanking God and my wonderful husband that I am lucky enough to be home every day to watch Jay discover the world around him.  Seriously, it doesn’t get any better than this!

Somethings of note:

*Jay is constantly rolling right now.  Regardless of where this child is placed he definitely does not end up in the same place!  He flips to his belly (which he has been doing for quite a while now) frequently to hang out and play.  He can also flip the other way, belly to back, which is more of a new development.

*Everything in any one’s hand or within reach of our little Jay Bird is fair game as far as he is concerned.  I continue to drink out of cups with lids and have gotten very strategic about doing anything while holding him.

*Jay is endlessly curious; right now the world around him couldn’t be more fascinating!  He must have/touch/hold/eat everything that he sees right now(see the comment above), he is constantly looking around and taking everything in.  It is so much fun to watch him discover the world and all of the new things around him.

*He has been sitting unassisted for a while now.  It started as more of a tri-pod type motion; however, he can now sit by himself for a short period of time- mainly while he is playing with his toys.  He can even sit up most of the way on his own; he can sit up from a semi-reclined position but he hasn’t gotten down how to stabilize himself enough to stay there when he gets up.

*Jay has been eating solid foods for a full month now.  He started on Rice Cereal which he really took to; so much so that I called the Doctor to ask if we could give him more.   We were told that we could give him as much as he would take (which was at least two big bowls a day).  Just a word to the wise, rice cereal is constipating for babies especially in large amounts- do you see where this is going… Jamie and I had a fussy non-pooping child for 6 days because of the cereal- consider yourself warned!  It was not a very fun few days and Jay was really upset but we did get to try out apple juice because of it and have continued to give him other foods to help with this “problem”.  Right now he isn’t a huge fan of any fruits on their own, we have tired pears and peaches, but he does love them when they are mixed with his oatmeal.  I also must add that the peaches are preferred above the pears so I can still claim him as my child :-)

*Sleeping, things are much better on this front right now.  He has slept through the night a few times and even a few nights in a row, he is also napping pretty well a few times a day.  Nothing is consistent nor regular; however, the important thing here is that he can sleep through the night and therefore there is light at the end of a long tunnel.

*Our little guy is ticklish! Under the armpits and under the neck especially but he does have a few other “spots” as well.  It you get him at just the right spot he will reward you with a full out belly laugh.

Likes:

*We are loving our stroller rides right now.  Regardless of the heat, Jay loves to be outside cruising the neighborhood.

*Books- Jay has continued to love being read to.  Jamie and I started very, very early with him on this and he still loves it.  He will look at the pictures and follow along while you read; it adorable!  Currently his favorite is Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb; thanks to Mary Beth and Sean for the wonderful gift.  He knows the cover by sight and gets the biggest smile whenever he sees it and we start to read.

*Watching his puppy and kitties- Jay constantly watches the animals in the house.  He looks for them in places where he knows they will be and watches them intently whenever they are around.

*His Jumper- seriously our kid can jump!  It’s like a switch is flipped when he is put into the jumper; he immediately starts jumping and go’s and go’s until he is taken out.  He has gone for 45minutes at a time before, I am not kidding when I say he loves it.  He especially loves if you play hide and seek with him while he is in the jumper- that trick is sure to turn on his giggle box!

*Clapping-  Jay loves when people clap.  Without fail, if he is getting fussy and I can’t hold him right at that very moment (I am starting supper, etc) he will start smiling and laughing when I clap my hands for him.  He also really likes people who talk with their hands…

*Singing songs with hand motions.  His favorite of my complete repertoire is anything that also has a hand motion along with the song; The Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You’re Happy and You Know It… actually I usually make up motions to any songs that I sing since he likes it so much- I am sure it’s comical to all that watch.

Dislikes:

*Sunglasses- I had to think long and hard to fill in this category since he is a pretty happy boy as long as his belly is full and he is well rested.  However, he doesn’t really like when people wear sunglasses.  It’s almost like he can’t figure out who you are when you are wearing them, he just kind of stares at you funny until you get the hint and move them.

I know these are a little late but we finally got around to measuring and weighing the little guy and for posterity’s sake I figured that I should post it…

Also, it’s giving me the opportunity to post some of the other pictures from his 5 month photo shoot.  He loves playing with (eating) these foam letters and numbers!

Height: 25 inches (a 1/2 inch per month apparently is his standard monthly growth)

Weight: 15lbs 4oz

a whopping 5 months old!

It seems as though a ton of things have changed with our little Jay Bird during the last month; he is not our little baby anymore but instead he is turning into a little boy.  I am sad about this and feel certain that I will cry when he turns 6 months old, half a year- no way this Mama is ready for that, but I must say I have been really enjoying this age.  Everything is new, everything is fun and by golly it is all beyond adorable!

Some things we’re doing:

*Sitting up!  Jay has been sitting up on his own for more than just a second for about the last week or so.  He loves to sit between my legs and play with his giraffe toy.  I have pictures that I will post when I get room on my drive to download them.

*The general consensus is that anything I have he wants and must have too.  He will grab for anything that is in your hand, especially for cups and electronics (phones, iPods etc).

*After he acquires the object in your hands it goes directly to the mouth.  Seriously, anything and everything has a one-way ticket to his mouth!  I am sure that this can’t be good for the electronics…

*His feet, aside from his giraffe, are probably his favorite toy.  He eats them, spends time “catching” them and then when he does he goes right into the happy baby yoga pose.  Simply adorable and there are pictures for this too… darn drive!

*He takes his Pacie in and out on his own, he has even gotten good at putting back in the correct way- for awhile it always ended up in there backwards.

*He has begun to play on his own for a while; either on his alphabet mat or in his exersaucer

*We have been talking like crazy!  Occasionally at dinner time Jamie and I can’t even get a word in edgewise because our chatter box is stealing the conversation…

*We have gotten pretty darn ticklish lately- feet, neck, armpits- you name it.

*Jay’s napping has gotten better, for the most part.  He usually takes two pretty good naps a day which has been really nice for Mommy- I am finally able to get a few things done here and there.

*In general he is a very happy little boy.  He smiles at most people (strangers too, we are going to work on this) and loves to laugh and play.

Likes:

Books- he loves to sit and look at the pictures while being read to.  Jamie and I are excited about this because gosh darn-it he will like to read!

People watching- he gets this from his Mama… he watches everything that goes on around him and doesn’t miss a beat!

Bath Time- he has been playing and splashing around like crazy during bath time and catching the plastic sea animals that float his way

Swimming- it’s like a big bath where he can people watch, enough said.

Piper and the Kitties too- He has really noticed the animals around the house and started to watch and pet them if they are close enough; he mostly pays attention to Piper but that is most likely because she is too big to miss.  All three of them have been really good with him, I just dread the day when he pulls a kitty tail a little too hard!

Mama’s Singing- this is an acquired taste (ask Jamie if you don’t believe me) but without fail it can always get a smile and stop his fussing.

Silly Daddy Faces- these never fail to get a reaction and when you combine them with Silly Daddy noises you are almost guaranteed to get a full belly laugh out of him!

Dislikes:

Fortunately I can’t really think of anything to list here, aside from the car which has improved leaps and bounds since last month and is nothing new.  It really seems as though he likes everything and really everyone; yes we are blessed!

I didn’t think to weigh him or measure him before he went to bed tonight so I will have to update on those tidbits of info soon…

I know that I keep saying this month by month but seriously where does the time go??  I think that I have been awake for more total hours a day than I have possibly ever been in my life but I still can’t figure out where all the time goes.  Jay has been literally changing before our eyes, it’s so much fun to watch him discover and learn new things. Daily Jamie and I are getting the pleasure of knowing Jay and being introduced to his personality, it’s such an amazing thing to discover as a couple.  I love meeting him!

Stats:  Jay is currently 13lbs 15oz and 24 1/2 inches long.  This is not a huge change from last month (13oz more and 1/2 an inch more), like it was between month two and three (1lb 14oz more and 1 inch in length more) but he is still growing like a bad weed in my opinion.  We went to the Dr on Monday where Jay got another round of shots (I cried again but so did he) and was checked from head to toe by the Dr.  The report was shinning and we were told that Jay is in the 50% for weight, height and head circumference, but we know that he is anything but average.

Things of note:

*Jay began laughing this month.  He was trying really hard for a long time to give a big belly laugh so we knew it was coming but he held out until Mother’s Day to give it his all.  It was a great gift by the way and you can see the video here, if you missed it.

*In addition to the laughing Jay has also started to become ticklish.  Right now it’s mostly on his belly and a little on his feet but if you get him at just the right time he will reward you with one of his fully belly laughs.

*Jay has been rolling over since very early in the month.  Although, it is only from back to front and not from tummy to back.  He will roll over onto his tummy and then get pretty mad because he still doesn’t much care for being on his tummy.  It’s like he’s saying “who’s bright idea was it for me to be on my tummy, this wasn’t what I wanted at all!”

*He began scooting a little when he is on his tummy.  He is certainly not going far at this point but he is also not staying where he is left anymore.  I am seriously going to be in trouble when he really starts to move!

*He will squeal really loudly when he gets excited.  It sounds like a little girl, but don’t tell his Daddy.

*Jay’s napping is getting better (this is a recent development-woohoo!) and it really has been and is a work in progress.  He generally will take one good nap a day, which is anywhere from 50 minutes to an hour and a half and then will take two other short power naps (30-35 minutes long) at some point.  This is leaps and bounds above where he was before and I am finally being able to get some stuff done during the day.  You never realize just how much you can get done in 25 minutes on your own until you don’t have those 25 minutes.

*We have reverted a bit in the sleep department from last month.  Currently Jay is waking up once a night, usually sometime between 12-1am and then getting up around 6:30 or 7am.  This is not the full nights sleep that we were getting but he definitely is more rested from having slept well during the night and day.  The best part about the napping is that he wakes up with a smile on his face, it’s the cutest thing to wake up to- sorry Jamie.

*He noticed Piper for the first time this month.  Ever since he was born she has not strayed far from our side.  She has followed me around everywhere I go with him and frequently licked his head when he is upset or just to say hey.  Up until this month he has been oblivious to her, but within the last week or so he has finally seen her and he watches her when she moseys on past him.  He has also reached out to try and touch both Piper and the kitties, like he reaches for toys.  I can’t wait until he can play with her, I know that they are going to be best buds!

*Jay’s eyes are really starting to look like they’ll be  green like mine- woohoo, I am excited about this!  They started out pretty blue but over the past few months they have added a little green and brown to them.

*We think, although it was not confirmed at the Doctors, that Jay is teething.  He will gnaw on just about anything that you give him- toy, burp cloth, finger.  It doesn’t seem to be bothering him.  I actually think it bothers Jamie more since it has been causing Jay to drool a lot more than he was.

Likes:

*Looking Around- He is as curious as ever about the world around him right now.  He doesn’t miss much and he is always looking around at things.  He will follow people (frequently me) as they walk across the room.

*Toys- He really likes to play with toys now.  He began reaching for them a few weeks ago and now you have to pry them away from him.  Right now I think that his Lion friend is probably his favorite; it rattles and crinkles which is great!  Honestly though, he will reach for anything that is put in front of him right now (and then bring it directly to his mouth)- the most recent thing has been my cell phone.  I guess he is telling me that I shouldn’t be texting Daddy while he is at work :-)

*Eating his hands, or anyone’s hands that are within reach for that matter.  This probably goes along with the whole teething thing.

*Sitting up!  He LOVES to sit up (with the help from someone or the boppy pillow) I think it is because our curious child can see things that are around when he is sitting up.  Either way, he is doing some serious core work when he sits like he does.

*Talking-  He will talk to anyone that will listen or tell you if you are not listening; he hasn’t learned the rule of not interrupting yet.

*Standing-  His little Michelin Man legs are good for something these days and that is supporting all of his chubby little cuteness.  When he is standing he will sometimes kick his one leg over and over again like he is dancing.  It’s so cute and he is really proud of himself for being able to do it.

*Being outside- Jay still LOVES to be outside!  I think that I am going to have to lather this child in sunscreen daily because of the amount of time we are going to spend outside when he gets older.  Right now we are still enjoying our walks, sitting in the front courtyard and hanging out on a blanket in the yard.

*Swimming!  Jay went swimming this month for the first time.  He seemed to really enjoy himself the couple times that he has been; he wasn’t too sure at first but he warmed up to it quickly.

*Bath Time-  He has always really enjoyed this part of the nightly routine but lately he has been kicking his feet and starting to splash around in his bath– so adorable.

*Cuddling- I am not sure who likes this more, Mommy or Jay, but every night (and sometimes in the day if I am lucky) he will snuggle in and crash on me.  I love, love, love this and regardless of the day we have had I am a 110% better after our cuddle session.  I dread the day that he gives it up…

Dislikes:

*Tummy Time- Jay is still not a fan of tummy time, although he doesn’t fight as much as he used to, we are working hard on this.

*The Car-  I am still wishing for the day when the switch will be flipped and he will be as pleasant as punch in the car- I am told that it will come.  Although to his credit he is getting better, we can go for about 10 minutes and on the rare occasion 15  minutes without screaming.  This is huge by the way, since it means that I am no longer trapped at home!

As usual, a few more from our 4 month photo shoot.  We changed it up a bit today and went outside too!

Holy Camoly!!! Today our little Jay Bird is spreading his wings to reach 3 months! Man o’ man does time fly… People keep telling us to enjoy it because they grow up so fast; however, at this rate I am worried that if I blink for too long I will open my eyes to find a teenager!

Some things of note around the Perreault Household at three months:

*He is still growing like a bad weed- last night he weighed in at 13lbs 2oz and is about 24 inches long (at least that is my best attempt at measuring this little wiggly fella).

*Jay is sleeping anywhere from 8 to 10 hours at night right now; last night we put him down to bed at 9pm and he woke up a little before 7am. We are still going through the nightly routine; however he has a bath now instead of the shower.

*He has really started to notice his hands. He kind of holds them up in front of his face and examines them and then he tries to eat them- it is funny to watch.

*Just within the last week he has started to do this funny thing with his lip, he sucks on it and moves his tongue around (sorry a video would probably explain this better but he won’t cooperate and let me take one).

*He really truly smiles and recognizes Mommy and Daddy. He will look right at us and give you the biggest smile ever- melts my heart.

* He has started to pull his head up on his own- while he is on his back he pulls his head up like he is doing a crunch or trying to sit up. He tries so hard sometimes that his little face turns red, bless his heart.

*He can really hold his head up on his own. While you are holding him he holds it up and looks all around the place. I love watching him take everything in.

*He can’t quite laugh just yet, although he is trying very hard to and I don’t think that it will be long before he can.

*He rolls onto his right side frequently, but he can’t go all the way over yet. This is probably since he still doesn’t like tummy time very much.

*He has started to notice himself in the mirror. If you stand there with him he will smile and “talk” to himself.

Likes:

*He still loves to be outside. The other evening we had a picnic in our yard when Jamie got home from work because Jay was content to be on the blanket and therefore I could eat with two hands.

*He really loves his blue and brown play mat that Aunt Renee sent him. If Mommy would let him he would nap there all day long.

*He still loves the carrier, Mommy and Jay walk almost every morning and he stays awake for most of the walk looking around at things.

*Blowing bubbles- he constantly has bubbles dribbling out of his mouth.

*Looking at books- he loves to look at the pictures and colors of the books that we show him.

*Story time at night- every night while he is getting his nighttime feeding he gets two or three stories read to him by Mommy. His favorites are Guess How Much I Love You, Bedtime Kiss for Little Fish, and I Love you Through and Through.

*His morning cuddle with Mommy- every morning after he eats we generally snuggle back under the covers and doze in and out for another hour or so. This is one of Mommy’s likes too :-)

Dislikes:

*Napping- he fights daily when Jamie and I try to put him down for a nap, he would rather hang out and take in the world around him than nap.

*The Car- he still hates it (although he doesn’t always scream the whole time we are in the car anymore and I haven’t had to pull over lately) we are hoping that this will just get better with time.

Some other pictures from our “shoot” today…