Oliver is 6 Months!

6 MONTH CHECK UP

Oliver had his 6 month check up today. He measured at 18.3 lbs (65%) and 27.3 in (75%). He seems to be finally slowing down a bit! But he is still a big boy. He checked well and healthy. His eyesight is great. The doctor gave us the go ahead on starting solids, which I am excited for! Oliver got his 6 months shots, including his first flu shot. His doctor is very impressed with his growth and mental development. And she can't believe how cute and chubby he is!!! He always flirts with her and the nurses! He is my little stud for sure.

Developments

Oliver can now roll both ways. It took him about a week of practicing before he finally figured out how to go back and forth. Now I can't stop him. He will start out in the middle of the front room and not even 5 minutes later he is all the way on the other side stuck up against something! He hasn't quite figured out what to do when he gets stuck up against something. So I have to go and move him before he gets mad!

Oliver can grab items really well, and of course is great at putting them into his mouth instantly. He is still practicing passing things from hand to hand. I have also been giving him a sippy cup to start getting used to. So far he just throws it around. But if I show him how to use it, he will suck on it and get some water. But then as soon as I let go he drops it. 

He can sit up on his own pretty well now! He does need to have a pillow or a person behind him because he will just throw himself backwards randomly. So he requires some cushion. But he does pretty good at correcting himself if he starts to tip. He can lean forward to grab toys without falling over. He just started sitting up unsupported one day and then the next he was even better at it. I am excited for this development because he is so hard to hold. He is always rocking back and forth, so its nice to be able to finally sit him on the floor instead of having to wear my arms out. 

Oliver has started being able to make a few consonant sounds, instead of just the vowels. It is pretty cute! He also loves to make noises by blowing his spit. I think that's his favorite thing to do. 

He has started getting really interested in playing with toys now. Stuffed animals, links and toys that make sound are his favorite. He also loves to bang things on the floor and table to make noise.

FOODS

So today was his first time trying food. I have held off until now because he just hasn't needed it. He has been doing great on breast milk and his doctor and I didn't see the need to introduce food until he was ready. And boy is he ready. He has been very interested in our food for a little while now. We can't eat while holding him because he just gets so excited and tries to grab whatever we are eating. So the last couple days he has been sitting in the highchair with us at the table. And I think he likes it! I have been giving him and ice cube in one these mesh feeders for him to chew on. But now that he can eat food I'll be giving him some tasty treats to chew on. He got to try a banana in it today while I made some food for him. I don't think he quite understands that he can chew it because he just kept sucking on it. But I think he liked it because he sucked on it for a while. 

I also mashed up some banana and some avocado for him to try today. He liked the banana pretty well but wasn't much of a fan of the avocado. But we'll keep trying! This part is so fun. I love to watch babies' faces when they try new foods. Even if they like it they will get a sour face! 

I am going to try to make homemade baby food because the prices for store bought are ridiculous. And with us living off of one income, we cannot afford to buy it! Plus I think it will be fun mixing flavors and seeing which ones he likes and doesn't like! And because we waited until he was 6 months to start food he is old enough to just eat some of what we are eating. Pureed of course!

He has not cut any teeth yet, but he drools like crazy. So I'm sure it's not far off. I',m not really looking forward to that stage so the longer the better!

I cannot believe how fast they grow and learn. I am so happy that I have been given the opportunity to be able to stay home with my kids and watch them grow.