Such a boy

Personally, I think Adam is such a boy. His favorite activities, listed in order:

1) Jumping- preferably in the jumparoo but he's happy to bounce standing in someones lap. He even tries to bounce when he's sitting and laying down.

2) Splashing- loves, loves, loves to splash. He was splashing so vigorously today that he splashed 80% of the water out of the infant tub!

3) Banging- he takes any object, grabs onto it in his tight little fist, and bangs away. On the floor, on himself, he doesn't care.

4) Fast movement- he loves if you pretend to throw him. Like a swinging motion as if you were going to throw him into a pool.  And he also likes to be tossed in the air. He's a little daredevil.

A new one just emerged in the last few days, yelling and shrieking!

He's all boy :)

A rare moment when he wasn't splashing tonight

All clean!

Adam is 6 months old!

Happy 6 months Adam!

End of my rope...

Daytime is lots of fun, Adam loves to smile, laugh, "talk," and jump in the jumparoo. But night time is a different story. Nights are hard in the Sonneborn household. For the last 6 months, Adam has slept 8 hours straight on one occasion.  I can count the number of times he has slept 6 hours in a row on one hand.  On a good night, Adam gets up 2-3 times per night. On a bad night, Adam wakes up 15-20 times per night.  Adam will get up 5-6 times on a typical night. I know that babies are exhausting, but Adam's lack of sleep is really taking a toll on Jeff and me. We both find it hard to concentrate during the day. And I'll be honest, we can be a little snippy at times ;)

For the past few months we've been able to transition Adam from his rock'n'play to his crib and we can put him down drowsy but not quite asleep. Adam has learned to go to sleep by himself. However his problem is that he can't stay asleep. The last two months I've been really torn about doing sleep training. Sleep training is controlled comforting that teaches infants to self soothe and fall asleep (and stay asleep) by themselves. I'm so worried that doing sleep training will break Adam's trust in Jeff and I. But on the other hand, Jeff and I can barely function. Trying to coax Adam back to sleep night after night after night after night has resulted in Jeff and I getting 3 to 5 hours of broken sleep most nights (some nights less).

What convinced me is a recent article published in the American Academy of Pediatrics journal. The article was published one week ago, Hannah actually found the article and I'm so glad she sent it to me.

http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Infant-Sleep-Training-is-Effective-and-Safe-Study-Finds.aspx

Give me food!

Hi Grandpa Hank

Hanging out with my cuz.
Check out my baby legs!

Brunch with Grammy Sue

Lunch at Bartaco

Playing with my new toy from
Jonny and Cleo

Waking up from a nap

The carrots on my face match my outfit!

5.5 Months

Wow, I've been a bit delinquent in posting! 2 weeks ago Adam started on solids, he's really enjoying it. So far he has had sweet potatoes, peas, and apples. At first he wasn't sure what to make of food, but now he knows that it's time to get down to business when he is in his highchair. When he sees the spoon coming, he opens his mouth and often wants to grab the spoon to "help" feed.  He gets really upset if you wait to feed him his next bite.  He wants his food and he wants it right away!

I've been really fortunate to become friends with two other new moms in the area.  I met them through a class offered at my hospital. We've been been getting together weekly since Adam has been one month.  Usually we go for a long walk, 4 to 6 miles, once a week. It doesn't really seem like exercise when you get to chat the whole time.

Last weekend we traveled up to Rye to visit the Sonneborns, especially Brian and Angela who returned from California.  Adam enjoyed seeing his grandparents and especially likes spending time with his cousin, Keira.

A hodgepodge of photos

Time for a hike

My new mommy friends and their babies. 

Dawn and her baby Jackie on the left, and Becky and her baby Gianna in the middle. 

Adam was camera shy.

Love going for a walk

Another day another walk (and another photo op)

From another visit, love those babies :)

 Happy boy

On our way to NH

Hannah and Keira could not wait to see Brian and Angela!

Showing off his Toms

Dining al fresco with Uncle Brian

Next year lil guy, next year you can have some lobster

Nice to see you Uncle Brian 

Snuggles with Grandpa Hank

Adam at the beach

Not so sure about going in...

My parents came over this past weekend and Oma really enjoyed feeding Adam