Happy 6 Months Monster!

Dear Monster,

   Today you are, technically, six months old! I can't believe it's been half a year since you graced us with your presence. I have, very selectively, blocked out a bunch of those early months due to stress or exhaustion but there are some mental snap shots that I will never forget. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds for us. We love you so so so much Tiny Monster. ;)
~~~

Hi readers! Well, I made it safely home from Woodland Park! Huzzah! I can't even begin to explain how nice it was to stay up there with my Mom and be able to watch my tiny man bond with his Bug. My mom let me sleep in a couple of times and took over while I napped a few times. It was amazing! So much fun! I will post pictures and blog about how lovely it is to have such an amazing Mom here to help us out on a later date but today...today my little man is 6 months old and this one is all for him!

So, let's see...Liam's life in pictures thus far.

This was his birthday!

This was, quite possibly, the scariest day of Sean and my lives. I was told around noon on this day that my preeclampsia had progressed to a dangerous degree and that the doctors were concerned that I may start having seizures. So, onward to a C-section! Liam came out at 30 weeks and 2 days (2 1/2 months early). He was 2lbs 7oz and 15 1/4" long. The doctors told us that he probably wouldn't cry due to premature lungs but he showed them by hollering at us while they were trying to listen to his heart.

Fast Forward: One month

He was still very very tiny but when he turned one month old we were finally able to try bottle feeding! He took to it like a natural. Because he was so small we had to start with very tiny amounts but once he figured it out, he progressed like it was his JOB!

Fast Forward: Two months

When we finally brought Liam home he was still on oxygen and he still had pretty severe acid reflux. After several weeks of Sean and I staying awake for 24-48hrs at a time with only 3-4hrs of sleep in between, we came across a sale at Target! (Bless you Target for the many gifts you bring to our lives) They had a swing that was one sale and when you bought the swing the bouncer was free! These two products saved our lives and our marriage. Wonderful! Once we got his sleep schedule figured out, things started to progress rapidly!

Fast Forward: Three months

Our first big trip! Around the time Liam turned 3 months we were scheduled to be at the Hopkins Family Thanksgiving. We were a little nervous because it would be the longest trip we had taken since bringing him home. Ahhh! But, as we had hoped, he was a freaking superstar! He didn't fuss, he let everyone hold him, he ate like a champ, then fell asleep right before we headed home. I mean, COME ON! Best. Kid. Ever. He got to meet his Great Grandma and he just smiled and smiled! We thought we were the luckiest people in the world! It turns out that, when he travels, Liam is just a very pleasant baby. :)

Fast Forward: Four months

Merry Christmas! This was the first time we were able to do family pictures and they turned out great! It was also the first time Liam experienced really cold wind...not great. He was a trooper though. We got our shots then he went inside and crashed. :)

Fast Forward: Five months

Look at those red eyebrows! And the hair! We love it! To celebrate him turning 5 months, and him being a "supported sitter", we started solid foods! Woo! He LOVES peaches, pears, and prunes. He HATES green beans, peas, and squash. He's pretty indifferent to carrots, sweet potatoes, and bananas. That is all we know so far...but it's enough to start making our own baby food! Once he is a "sitter" we will begin mixing our own foods for him. So excited!

Hello SIX MONTHS!

Okay...seriously...I adore this picture. Gotta love the Zoolander face. Liam is 6 months old today. If you're wondering why he doesn't look like a 6 month old, it's because he isn't...technically. If you go according to conception and when he was SUPPOSE to be born, he's 3 1/2 months old right now. He is right on track for this age, which is wonderful, but trying to explain to a stranger that he is 6 months but really only 3 1/2 months is obnoxious. So, for the first year of his life we will be referring to him as his adjusted age and once it actually starts to matter (like on his first birthday) we will switch it around. Now that you're thoroughly confused, here is an update on what our little monster is doing:

ROLLING

He cries before, he cries during, but once he's rolled himself over it's all smiles, stares, and drool. :P

SMILING

I mean, come on...looks at those cheeks!

PULLING OBJECTS TOWARD HIM

Even his Grandma's hair.

SLEEPING...ANYWHERE

He's got it rough guys...geez.

RECOGNIZING AND GRASPING TOYS

This kid loves his elephant.

SUPPORTED SITTING

Geez Mom, I got this. Relax.

BEING ADORABLE

My happy Mountain Man!

So, here we are, six months left until he's one year old and plowing through his adjusted developmental milestones. We, literally, cannot wait to see what he'll be doing when we head over the mountains to see the other side of his family for Easter! Everyday this kid does something new and, sometimes scary, for his parents but we wouldn't trade it for the world. :D

Tomorrow is vaccine day for my little man. ACK! What are your plans for tomorrow? It's going to be PAYDAY FRIDAY here at Mom and Monster! Can't wait to tell you guys about my new favorite product!!