15 pounds 11.5 oz (birth: 8lbs .3oz)
Length:
25.75 inches (birth: 21 inches)
Diapers:
Size 2.
Huggies seem to have helped with the diaper dilemma for the most part. They are definitely not my favorite diaper just because they are not nearly as soft and feel like a plastic bag, but the shape of them seems to be more conducive to a full diaper on a moving baby, which ultimately makes me happy (i.e. cleaner!).
Mason has a dirty diaper about every 2-3 days now... which could explain the full diaper, but according to his doctor it is perfectly normal.
Clothes:
3-6 month and 6-9 month range.
Feedings:
Every 4-5 hours. Breast milk. 6-7 oz.
Mason loves food probably as much as his mom and dad! He watches everything that goes into our mouths and grabs at anything you put in front of him. He has not turned down any food we have given him, which includes sweet potatoes, peas, bananas, pears, apples, oatmeal, zucchini, apples, butternut squash and potatoes. Next up: peaches, green beans, carrots, corn, and chicken. The only struggle we have had is finding the balance with the right amount to feed because Mason doesn't really tell us when he is full which means he ends up giving some of it back to us later...
Nights:
Mason is still consistently sleeping 10-11 hours each night, to bed between 7:30-8:30 and awake between 5:30-6:30 these days, not sure why he has become such an early riser lately. We have also been struggling with some middle of the night "need for soothing". Which we are suspecting are due to one of three things we found out about at his 6 month check-up this morning.
Mason has a mosquito bite on his left eye lid which has made his eye almost completely swollen shut. I can't imagine how bad that feels and itches too.
Mason also has eczema which we will have to take a few different measures to keep it under control and can be very irritable for a baby. At this point we don't know if it is just "baby eczema" or general ezcema which he would possibly have his whole life.
Mason has teeth trying to come in.
So who knows which of those three has been waking him up, but luckily a pacifier and gentle touch have been enough to get him back to sleep.
Personality:
Mason is a ball of energy, wanting to move nonstop. If he is tired of crawling, he wants to be jumping or standing, or "walking" while holding onto mom and dad's fingers (he is actually able to take steps on his own) or outside watching birds. Even diaper changing has become a challenge with this little wiggle worm. He is an alert little baby and totally aware of everything around him.
Mason loves to talk these days, but we have found he is a little shy. When he is at home with mom and dad in his element he is quite a show off, talking, squealing, experimenting with his voice, but when surrounded by other kids and parents he likes to watch and listen, he definitely takes after his parents.
Development:
Mason has officially transitioned to the 2 solid naps that every mom talks about! Yay! On a typical day, Mason takes one nap around 9 a.m. give or take (depends on what time he woke up) and one around 1 p.m. give or take. And most days he sneaks in a short third nap around 5 p.m. depending on how the day has gone. I always wondered if this would happen and how it would happen, and all I can say is that gradually Mason started staying awake longer and longer. Now he eats and is normally awake 2-2:30 hours and then takes a nap. I think this will continue to gradually stretch out until we don't need the third nap anymore too.
Mason has finally found his feet, but isn't nearly as interested in them as most babies, maybe touching them once a day and never getting them anywhere near his mouth. Mason grabs our faces- lips, eyes, & nose, reaches out to pet Dusty and is even
pulling up on us, his rocker, the window sill, and pretty much any other relatively short object in the house. The crib has now been lowered for the first time since I walked into his room and saw his little head peaking out at me. Did I mention he is active, active, active?!?!
The playmat has been officially retired, along with the bouncer, and soon the swing will join them. Mason now spends his time in his jumper, crawling on the floor or safely in his crib(!), maybe a few minutes a day in his swing while I brush my teeth or get dressed, sitting in his highchair with teethers or toys or on mom and dad's laps while reading books, which he REALLY enjoys doing, mostly because he can chew on them :)
At 24 weeks Mason started to "crawl". First he got up on all fours and rocked. Then he gradually would move one knee forward at a time and fall forward, and now, at 26 weeks he is full on crawling and gaining more endurance and strength and speed every single day.
Mason can also stand up on his own while leaning on a table or wall. He loves it, takes any opportunity to pull up and stand, and has started to try to walk from side to side on his own while leaning against things. He is wobbly and falls when trying to move from side to side, but we have seen big improvement already in his balance. Mason can also sit up on his own, but because that involves being still, he usually doesn't stay that way long.
Mason's eyes are still blue and his hair is still blonde and straight.
Mason's 6 month doctor appointment went well. He had more vaccinations, a flu shot, and really enjoyed the fish tank at the doctor's office. He was mesmerized!
Our little family is having the best time! Can it get any better than this? :)
