Month eight! The month we finally kicked a number of ailments from Harrison’s time at daycare including hand, foot and mouth, and a Noro virus, along with a pesky cough that hung around for a loooong time. It was wonderful to finally have my baby feeling and acting like his abundantly happy and sweet self again.
There were some BIG developments this month for Harrison – read on!First, we had to change our photo set up because Harrison is starting to sit up a little bit more on his own! He still loves his sloth, and we’ve got the blanket in here that my mom made for him but just in a different way. Adorable guitar onesie was made for Harrison by his super-talented Aunt Lindsey Daywalt. <3
The beginning of month 8 started with the arrival of our au pair, Daniela, who comes from Colombia. The au pair program is run by the US State Department and is cultural exchange – Daniela will care for Harrison while we are at work and in turn get to stay in our house, and have an opportunity to experience family life in America while improving her English. She’s a very kind, funny, smart young woman who adores Harrison already and seems to like us well enough, too. 😉 She has a couple of friends and I know she will make more – and will get to explore all that Atlanta has to offer!
Other milestones this month:
Harrison now holds his own bottle. Such a big boy. I find myself being sad at times because it’s a transition to him needing less things from us but I’m also happy because it gives us more time to get ready in the mornings.
His awareness of things around him has increased – he responds to his name, very much notices and loves the dogs, engages with us when we sing and make funny faces or noises, and squeal with delight whenever Peggy barks (it is the CUTEST thing).
He still drinks about 28 ounces of formula per day and is eating solids. We were slow to expand his new foods while he was sick but this month we added several more and he’s got quite a diverse menu now: rice, oatmeal, quinoa, peas (with and without mint), zucchini, carrots, yellow squash, acorn squash, pears, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and avocados. So far, he likes everything! The avocados did make him spit up a bit so we haven’t tried those again – they are a rich food for baby so we’ll go for it again this month.
Harrison has been able to roll over for more than two full months but never really cared to do it – I think because he was sick so much in March, he just wasn’t interested in trying. This month, that started to change. He can now roll over a few times in a row and gets excited to find himself in a new place. It’s very cute. He’s also started scooting when on his back. He doesn’t get far yet – maybe only a foot or two – but we know more mobility is likely to come pretty quickly.
Part of that mobility will be based on him being able to sit himself up. He’s not there yet but he can definitely sit up for several seconds unaided before either falling on his side or putting his hands in front for the “tripod.”
We traveled to Orlando this month and Harrison went into the pool for the first time. He really loved it. I think it helped that we always get his face wet and splash him at bathtime. He was great on the trip – slept easily and happily in the pack-and-play, gave his nanna, John, Steve and Daniela’s friends lots of sweet smiles and giggles, and was incredibly chill when Sean and I took him to Disney Springs. He was fussy on the drive home and has trouble getting to sleep in his carseat but that was honestly the worst of it. We’ll get there.
2 trips so far with baby and he’s been good! We’re going later this month to the Outer Banks to see Aunt Kym and Uncle Tyler for 5 days and we’re all so excited!
Talking is another skill Harrison has been sharpening this past month. “Gagagadadada,” “mmmmamanaana,” etc. are becoming clear sounds. And his laughs have gotten bigger and more intense – SO FUN!
Harrison still does not have any teeth and I’m quite delighted at that because I get to enjoy his sweet gummy smile for awhile longer. <3
He’s working on his “pincher” grasp with his thumb and forefinger with Cheerios. After his meals, I give him a small handful so he can practice. He doesn’t eat them yet – the dogs do when they fall to the floor, haha – but I know he will soon enough.
Harrison remains a good sleeper at night and for naps. He normally wakes between 6.30 and 7, naps around 9/9.30 to 10/10.30 and again around 1 until 2.30/3 before going down for bed by 7.30pm. If we go out and do something that puts him off this schedule, he doesn’t let it phase him – he’s still pleasant. He can have a hard time going down for the nap when he gets back because he’s pretty overstimulated but as we’re going out more and more he’s getting used to this too.
Overall, this baby continues to be such an absolute joy to have in our lives. I get so excited to see him in the mornings and when I come home from work. It’s also incredible to see him and Daniela bond – and know that he’s getting loving, attentive care from her each day. Life with Harrison is great, y’all!
