Everybody Loves Conrad: 1st 6 months

I have not been very good at documenting  Conrad’s growth and experiences.  It’s probably for the better, because now you will get the condensed version.

1 month: Smiling. LOVES to be tightly "burrito'd" to sleep.

2 months: singular-noun laughs & coos. Holds his head up very well while being held.

3 months: Tries to hold his own bottle, but usually drops it 2-3 times each feeding if left to his own.  Leaning to one side, but not yet fully rolling over. Better at holding head up during tummy time. Will giggle if you get him in the right mood. Face lights up when dad gets home and whistles to him.

4 months: Kind of rolling to one side, can’t quite get the second arm out from underneath to fully push up. Has sure found his voice, lots of talking and sporatic squeals.  Holds his own bottle with 99% accuracy/not dropping it until he is done. Hurray! He sleeps through the night!

 I’ve had to begin buckling him into his swing, because a few weeks ago I sat him in it, then came back in from brushing my teeth, and found him lying on the ground! Never heard a thud, or a cry. He was happy as a clam.

5 months: Rolling machine!  Also, has discovered his tongue and will mimick  us sticking it in & out, as well as smacking his lips.  Likes to roll onto his side next to me, and fall asleep to backrubs.  Pretty sure he’s beginning the teething phase. Has very cranky/irritable moments and is a drooling machine.  Has had baby cereal and baby food a number of times. Learning to open mouth and swallow rather than just suck—I found that using a medicine syringe to  squirt the baby food into his mouth helped him learn to feel the food on his tongue and learn to swallow it back *(plus, it makes no mess at all…score!!) We’ll give the spoon another try in a week or so.  If I frown and begin to 'fake' cry, he actually does cry. It's both hilarious and sad at the same time. 

 6 months: Does an army crawl/slide to maneuver around. Crawling is right around the corner!!   Still spits up like it's his job, but seems to think it's funny. Does well with a spoon now. Has good hand-eye coordination. Is able to find, pick up, and place his chupi (paci) in his mouth. Still no teeth, but the drooling is...well, alot.  He likes to "fake cough" right now, too. Eyes are tan in the center and soft blue around the edge. Weighs about 15 pounds.  Is fascinated with feet- especially mine right now. Perhaps it's the bright pink polish on them? He gets annoyed when I pull them away so he can't suck on my toes...believe me kid, I'm doing you a favor. ;)

I love his little boy voice and huge grin.  He has been such a wonderfully easy baby so far *fingers crossed* hope he stays that way! He only cries when he is hungry, and does a very soft, raspy cry occasionally (probably due to teething). It’s the most sad and pathetic cry ever. 

He favors sucking on his index finger and thumb together. LOVED going to the pool his first time, and has been back a few times since.

This kid has changed my life.  He is our sunshine.