6 Months of Jack Hudson

October 12, 2016

Weight: 15 lbs 4 oz (14%)
Our little guy!

Height: 26.5" (54%)

6 month appt

Diaper Size: Still rocking those size 2s, but on our last box

Clothing Size: 6 months and 6-9 months.

Feeding: Still nursing every 3-4 hours during the day (getting 5 feedings total) and has started eating more purees this month. He seems to like everything that he tries. He is a very messy eater (of course), but does well with the spoon. We have tried giving him soft foods on his tray like bananas and avocado but he is not quite coordinated enough to get them to his mouth very efficiently. Still a great nurser and takes bottles with no issues. Taking 6 oz bottles.
 

Holds his own bottle now!

Sleeping: Finally switched him from the eat/wake/sleep cycle to two long naps a day which was a game changer for us! He has always been known to take horrible naps but since I have switched him to two longer naps he averages 1.5-2 hr each time. Wahoo! Still sleeping 12+ hours each night. Knock on wood, but unlike his big sister, he has not had any sleep regressions so far. Homeboy has been sleeping solidly through the night since he was 10 weeks old 7p-7a.

Milestones: He officially has cut his two bottom teeth! Luckily they came in about 2 days apart because that was not a fun time in the Regal household. He is also super mobile now, rolling every which way with intention to get what he wants. Starting to scooch forward and occasionally gets up on his knees.
 

Sweet boy always on the move

Loves: Pulling hair, putting everything in his mouth, rolling/scooting all over, jumparoo and doorway jumper.
 

Doorway jumper... In the Smokey Mountains!

Dislikes: Waiting for food, being too tired. SO much better in the car this month.
 

All. The. Heart. Eyes.

Adventures: Took another road trip to Tennessee to meet some of his cousins and his Aunt Erin!
 

Meeting cousins Bryce and Blaine

What we couldn't live with out: His bunny, small toys, highchair for eating, sissy for entertainment.

Always wanting what Sister has

My Two <3

 

Oh sweet boy! Happy 6 months!! From what I can tell so far, Brother is very easy going with a sweet demeanor. Besides the crankiness when teething, he is generally always happy and easily entertained. He can last about 15 min per activity before I switch him out. Rarely do I need to hold him through out the day. Car rides are no longer painful, thank goodness! And he seems to have grown out of his evening fussiness. All in all, things are rocking and rolling over and we seem to be in a really good place right now. As sweet as his newborn/early infancy stage was, I am not sad to see it go by. I still can't believe time has flown by and we are halfway to 1!

Went on a safari, spotted a baby zebra I decided to take home!

5 Months of Jack Hudson

September 12, 2016

Weight: 15 lbs

Height: Not sure!

Diaper Size: 2

Clothing Size: Very few 3-6 month things, mostly 6 months. Broke out a few 9 month sleepers which are still a little long

Feeding: Nursing or taking 6 oz bottles of pumped milk every 3 hours during the day. After his 4 month check up we went ahead and started rice cereal per the recommendation of his pediatrician. I had read (and was planning to) not to start cereal until 6 months but my pediatrician said that A) he went from 60% to 20% in weight so now was a good time, and B) that if you wait too long they're more likely to have an aversion to the texture. Well Brother loved the cereal right away! He gets anxious between bites and cries when its over. He has also tried pureed peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes. We started putting him in his highchair at dinner time right when he turned 4 months, even to just sit while we ate and it has been such a nice change! We are finally eating all together at the table again instead of taking turns holding him.

Working on holding his bottle by himself

 

Sleeping: Still sleeping great at night, anywhere between 12-13 hrs consistently. Naps are hit or miss, but I have just come to terms that he isn't a great napper and that takes the stress out of it. He typically goes down around 9am and sleeps anywhere from 1-2 hrs (his best nap of the day) then lays down 2 more times, ranging anywhere between 30-60 minutes. This next month I plan on transitioning him from the eat/wake/sleep cycle to 2 naps a day.

Milestones: So much rolling! Sleeping on his belly at night. Starting cereal and purees.

First night trying cereal. All smiles.

Loves: His jumper! For most of the month we would lay him on his back on a blanket with toys but by the end of the month he was immediately rolling over on his tummy and would get mad about it, so now most of his play time is spent in the jumper. He loves watching what is going on, especially his noisy sister. He struggles nursing because he wants to turn and see what everyone is doing. He is putting any and everything in his mouth so he is loving on light weight toys that he can easily chew on.

Playtime in his crib with Sissy while I put laundry away

Dislikes: His carseat. Being startled by loud noises. Strangers when he first wakes up. Macy in his face smothering him.

He loves snuggling up on daddy's chest. Never does this with me.

Adventures: I was looking back through pictures from this month, and sadly not many! But every day is adventure with this sweet boy and his sister-sue!

Stylin' at Ellie's birthday party

What we couldn't live without: Toys for him to put in his mouth, his jumper, Lillie Baby carrier, sound machine. Drool bibs... his shirts are soaked at the end of each day!

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His happy place.


He continues to be such a joy. He has turned out to be a really easy going baby- thank goodness!  He is only fussy when he is tired. He has slept through the night since he as 10 weeks old. He has the best smile and laugh and I still pinch myself sometimes when I think, "how did we get so lucky". I always tell people I am obsessed with him, because I am! He is so sweet and the perfect addition to our family. I remember LOVING Macy at 5 months so I have been looking forward to this time for awhile. And it has not disappointed me!

4 Months of Jack Hudson

Weight: 13.8 lbs according to our home scale

Height: 25" per home measurement

I literally sit and stare at this picture all day. I am OBSESSED!

Diaper Size: Still squeezing in those size 1s. Seriously looking forward to our last package being gone so we can move up to size 2.

Clothing Size: Anywhere between 3-6 months

Twinning with dad!

Feeding: Nursing/taking a bottle every 3 hours during the day, with a total of 5 per day (which actually ends up averaging less than 3 hr intervals). Taking 5 oz bottles for the sitter and nurses anywhere between 10-45 minutes. Longest nursing session still right before bed.

Happy boy after a feeding

Sleeping: Still doing great here! Nurses last around 7 pm and will sleep until 7:30-8 am. Loves his nighttime sleep! Naps still only OK. Longest nap is in the morning, up to 2 hrs. The rest of the day he sleeps about 45 minutes per nap. Swaddled with one arm out this month, getting ready to wean him completely!

Sweet baby boy!

Milestones: So many! Officially rolling over from back to stomach. Does it a lot, and then gets mad when he's stuck on his stomach. I will roll him back to his back but he immediately rolls back to his stomach, starting the cycle over again! He has also found his feet and loves to grab his toes. In the beginning of the month he starting sucking on his hands/wrists and towards the end he is now sucking on his fingers.

Hands in his mouth 24/7

Spending lots of time on his belly now that he is rolling over so much

Loves: Sleeping at night. Playing on the floor. Bath time is still his fave. Snuggling his bunny when he is tired. Being held out foreword facing.

So happy in his bathtub, grabbing on his toes

Dislikes: Hates riding the car. Screams the whole time and very rarely falls asleep in his carseat any more.

Stays so content in this thing!

Adventures: First trip to the State Fair. Swimming in the pool.

At the fair, fan on and fingers in his mouth. He did great the whole time!

Hanging out at the pool with Uncle Drew and daddy

What we couldn't live without: Bunny, small toys that are easy to grab, bouncy seat.

All in all, we are loving 4 months! He has pretty much grown out of being a fussy/needy newborn. He is happy and smiling 90% of time. He still prefers to be held, or to be engaged with smiles and talking. He is rarely fussy, usually only if tired. Our evenings seem to be getting better and we are actually all eating together at the kitchen table again. And earlier today I got this text from his sitter which really made me feel good, especially since she has taken care of so many babies in the past!

3 months of Jack Hudson

Happy 3 months to this sweet baby boy! What a fun month it has been! 

 

July 12, 2016

 

Weight: 13.1 lbs

Height: Not sure, will get measured at his 4 month appt next month

  

Diaper Size: 1 

 

Clothing Size: 3 months and some 3-6 months

 

Feeding: Still eating about every 3 hours during the day. Sometimes sooner or longer, usually depending on what schedule I am trying to get him on. Taking bottles just fine, usually eating around 4-5 oz per feeding according to his sitter. Nursing sessions are anywhere between 15-45 minutes. The longest session is typically his last one of the day before bed.

 

Sleeping: Doing great here! He typically eats last anywhere between 7-8 pm and sleeps through the night until 7:30-8:30 am. He quickly dropped his dream feed and extended his sleep hours this past month, pretty much all on his own. He has been consistently sleeping 12+ hrs for the past 3 weeks. Naps are getting better. I have noticed a lot of time he will still wake around the 45 minute mark but if I leave him in his crib and let him fuss it out he will typically fall back to sleep to the time he is due to eat again. Still sleeping swaddled in his crib for naps and nighttime. Will sleep pretty good in his car seat while we are out and about but otherwise no where else. He is now up 1.5hr and down 1.5hr during the day.

 

The only time he's ever slept somewhere besides the crib or car seat.. the beach!

Milestones: So many! He is more and more social every day. He loves grabbing at rings and toys and is starting to bring them toward his mouth. Lots of coos and giggles. Rolls over to back every time I put him on his tummy.

 

LOVES his bouncy seat! He grabs and pulls on the toys so well

Loves: Bouncy seat and play mat. Could spend hours in the bath tub kicking his feet splashing the water, and most of all his MOMMA!

 

Dislikes: He screams, I mean SCREAMS, when we get him out of the tub and get his pajamas on for the evening. He is really only grumpy when he is tired, but prefers attention already. Starting to fuss when I leave the room or when he can't see me. So I spend a lot of time sitting on the floor next to him during his wake time.

 

Handsome boy on his first road trip

Adventures: He went on TWO road trips this month! We made a quick trip down to Tennessee and he did awesome! First long car ride and sleeping in a pack and play... and he rocked it! Then we went to Michigan for the 4th of July and once again he was an angel baby. Did great in the car and sleeping/taking naps in the cabin we stayed in. He also started going to an in home daycare last week when I went back to work and has no trouble adjusting to the new place/schedule.

Family shot on our first road trip!

Living the life... taking a bottle on the beach!

These two are seriously TWINS!

What we couldn't live with out: I'd have to say his bouncy seat! He sits in it while we are outside playing with sister sue, while I make dinner, etc and we even took it to the beach and poolside. We've also upgraded to the Halo sleepsack swaddles since he has grown out of his Swaddleme pods. Not sure when we will wean him, but can't live without them right now!

Some of my favorite pics this month:

Brother Bear and Sister Sue

Sweet boy! I'm seriously obsessed!

Those lashes!

I love that he is "all boy" looking

 

2 Months of Jack Hudson

June 12, 2016

Weight: 12.1 lbs (57%)

Height: 23.75" (73%)

Diaper Size: 1 

Clothing Size: 0-3 and 3 months

  

Feeding: Eating every 3-4 hours during the day. Mostly nursing, though takes the occasional bottle if we are out and about. I have been much better about pumping this time around and have quite the stash building in our deep freezer. Eats 6-7 times per day. 

Sleeping: As always, we do our best to follow the eat/wake sleep cycle per Babywise. He still struggles with napping during the day. He falls asleep but doesn't always stay asleep until his next feeding. A lot of time he wakes after an hour then spends an hour rotating between fussing/sleeping until I get him up for his next feeding. He only naps swaddled in his crib. He is doing well at night. We do a bath every evening followed by a little lotion massage. He eats around 7:30 and then goes down in his crib for the night. I dream feed him around 10ish and he will sleep anywhere from 5-7 hours followed by another 4. Only having to wake once in the middle of the night is a total game changer. I am considering dropping the dream feed but can't decide if he is ready or not. He doesn't like to sleep anywhere but his crib or out and about in his car seat. I got a Lillie baby carrier and he will at nap in there or our arms in the evenings which is definitely a must otherwise he is a fussy Gus in the evenings! 

Loves his swaddle

Milestones: Lots of smiles! My favorite :) He makes eye contact and lights up when he sees me first thing in the morning and occasionally through out the day. Starting to coo but not super often. Rolls over from tummy to back during tummy time about half the time. Tolerates tummy time much better than his sister did. Just now starting to bat at his toys on his playmat.

Loves: Not much has changed since last month: walks in the stroller, being held. He is super calm during bath time. His play mat.  

Dislikes: Being in his carseat when its not moving, aka stop signs, traffic and red lights (will wake from a deep sleep to cry), getting dressed after his bath. No longer takes a paci and will gag if offered.

Adventures: Not a ton this month. We like to lay low during the week when its just the two of us and typically are out and about the days big sister is home.

That chin!! Not his best angle, this picture had me cracking up!

What we couldn't live without: Swaddles, sound machine, his bunny.

Swaddled and snuggled up next to his bunny

Macy Jane at 4 years

My sweet spunky Macy Jane turned 4 last month and I want to capture this moment in time, because it is so sweet. I really don't want to miss a single detail. Like how she will only sleep in sweet princess gowns, her long lanky legs, or how she blurts out, "Mommy, I love you!"15 times a day. She is pure sugar and gold and if Jack is half as good and sweet she is at 4, we are lucky parents.

She weighs 36.4 lbs (62%) and is 42.76" (95%).

FOUR!

Now having another baby with a totally different personality, I can tell her personality has shined since she was born. She is outgoing, happy, and full of life. Still doesn't know a stranger and when we go anywhere, she will ask, "who will I play with?" and I always respond, "I don't know honey, you will have to find someone." And don't worry, she always does, even if its the nanny to two shy girls at the park down the street she convinced to play an umpteen amount of Hide and Seek games with her the other evening. 

4 year check up

She is super curious and no detail goes unnoticed. I am starting to turn the channel when the news is on because she asks about the news stories which a lot of time include violence or dark things, etc. She very much understands the concept of death (as much as she can at this age) and asks often about my mom. She says she is disappointed that she never got to meet her, and I cry a mixture of happy and sad tears every time. She is observant of her surroundings and asks approximately 4,298 questions per day. Phew. She talks nonstop. Like NONstop and sometimes mommy has her play the "quiet game" where we can see who can go the longest with out saying anything. I said the other day that we needed to play because I was getting a headache and she said, "what's a headache?" Oy. 

After her school dance recital

She loves Jesus and I can only pray this continues to grow over time. She randomly blurts out "Mom, Jesus is the light of the world, the King, and God's son!" But also asks a lot of questions about why he died, how is he alive but also in heaven because that is where people go when they die, and when will she will get to meet him. She went through a period of time every time we passed a cross she would ask, "Is that the cross Jesus died on?" All questions that take me by surprise and are actually pretty tough to answer. She will go to her first vacation bible school next week and she is so excited. We have been listening to the CD of kid's worship music they sent and she is obsessed. I have also caught her singing her own worship songs she makes up on her own with very accurate material ("Jesus you live up high in heaven and I'll meet you when I'm really olllllldddd")

First pedicure for her bday!

She is so smart. Still has a memory of an elephant. She can write her name, mom, dad, and loves to draw. She is recognizing more words by sight as well. She has a lot of room to grow in this area as far as reading and writing go but her foundational reasoning and memory skills are so good that I know when the time comes she will be a pro. 

Little mama

She is a great sleeper but dropped her midday nap. If she does nap, she is up later at night, so I am totally fine with the earlier bedtime. She is becoming more of a picky eater, but loves to eat healthy things. Her favorite are raspberries, almonds, and cottage cheese. 

Playing in our front yard

She listens well and responds to discipline. She, like any other 4 year old, does get in trouble for disobeying but just like when she was 2, you can have a reasonable conversation with her about her actions with out the need for spanking. Every once in awhile she can get overly emotional (Kyle and I say "she's on her period again") but it is few and far in between. Lately she has been recognizing her feelings, saying things like "Mom I am so mad at you right now!" And say she is "sad at me" when I discipline her. 

With her Brother Bear

She has handled our transition to a family of 4 beautifully. She loves her brother so much but isn't smothering and has not once shown a sign of jealousy. He is the perfect piece to our puzzle. I really think the age gap has helped that and she is so loved that it pours over onto her brother. Her and her daddy are the best of friends, and a lot of time she prefers him over me to do things like put her to bed or push her on the swing. They have their own hand shakes, inside jokes, and special songs they sing together. It is a definite blessing since I am so busy with her baby brother. 

Helping daddy accessorize 

I love her confidence when she walks in to the room. Whether its in her own ability to complete a task or to walk up to someone she doesn't know, I really hope it never fades. 

Queen of the castle!

Her favorite toys include Legos- which she is sooo good at! She looks at the instructions and builds them independently. She also loves play doh, "watching games" aka watching other people play with toys on YouTube, playing dress up, hide and seek, and imagination with her dolls/figures, etc. 

I asked her a few questions I saw floating around Facebook and here are her answers:

1. What is your name? Macy Jane Regal
2. How old are you? 4
3. How old is daddy? 16 (29)
4. How old is mommy? 19 (30, I guess she knows I am the older one)
5. What is your favorite color? Pink and purple
6. What is your favorite food? Mac n cheese (I'd add the above listed, plus she can dominate Chick fil A chicken nuggets -with ranch, of course)
7. Who is your best friend? Hanky and Nora and Kate
8. What is your favorite song? Lava song (the short film by Disney, her and her daddy sing it as duet and its the sweetest thing in the entire world)
9. What is your favorite animal? Horses
10. What are you scared of? Tigers (I laughed at this one, random)
11. What makes you happy? Mommy and daddy (aww)
12. Where is your favorite place to go? The museum (The Children's museum)
13. What do you want to be when you grow up? A ballerina (another random answer)
14. What is your mommy's favorite thing to do? Go to work
15. What is your daddy's favorite thing to do? Be silly