Declan - 8 months

Weight: 21.5lbs (you lost weight while sick this month!)

Height: 28in

Oh man.  This past month has been interesting buddy.  Now I'm not complaining...because you are still such an EASY baby.  But this past month, you've been "off", so it was just different!  It was still a great month though...you've grown SO much!!

You are now wearing mostly 9 month clothes, with some 12 thrown in there (carters) and 6-12 month (gap).  The selection isn't quite as extensive as it was in the smaller sizes.  (So note to self...baby #2, don't buy so much 0-3, 3-6....spread the love out a little :) ) 

We made the move up to the size 4 diapers.  After many blow outs, we took it as a sign it was time.  We also started using night time diapers....mom was getting a little tired of having to change your sheets every morning because you'd leak out! So far they've fixed the problem!

You are going to daycare twice a week.  You seem to really like it! You and your buddy James got into a routine pretty quickly! Your first day there, and you guys napped at the same time, going down and waking up just minutes apart!! Lynde sends me pics daily, which I LOVE!!! I think putting you in daycare was the right move....the interaction with the other kids is priceless for your development!

We had our first experience with vomit....and it was heart breaking to say the least.  We took you in to get your flu shot at 1:30pm, by 3:30 you were throwing up...everywhere.  You continued to throw up everything you drank for the rest of that night.  I cried.  You were just so miserable....you wouldn't drink anything, so you eventually had nothing to throw up and would just heave.  You'd look at me with those big ol eyes, like Why Momma...why?!?! I'd have given anything to make you feel better. You were mostly recovered by that weekend, but weren't quite back to your normal happy self.  You are just now (2.5 weeks later) starting to eat like normal.  We're supposed to take you back for the other half of your flu shot in a week, but that's NOT happening. Nope..no way. (Side note: I got sick two days after you, and your dad/grandma three days, so that's fun)

Like I said your eating has been a little off.  But we continue to make your vegetables and fruit at home.  You haven't really turned anything down, so you're still a good little eater.  We've started giving you some finger food (you chew...it's adorable), like crackers, cut up fruit, beans....you think you're big stuff.  You don't quite do it yourself though.  I hand it to you...you get all excited, look at it, then throw it.  I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually!

We're working on tooth #6 now.  You have both bottom middle, both top eye teeth, and your right front tooth. #6 is the other front tooth....and it's making you ohhhh so happy. :)  You just get a little fussy, which is out of character for you, so i know it's bothering you. Nothing a little Tylenol can't fix though!

This past month you attended you second football game in Manhattan.  You did well! I have no doubt that you'll grow up a big fan just like mom and dad!!! (as if you have a choice!!)  You probably won't make the last two games of the season with us....but we'll have to wait and see what the weather's like! You get one more year before we have to buy you a seat...so we'll for sure be going next year again! (After that, you should probably start working so you can buy yourself a seat!)

You still refuse to crawl.  You HATE when we try and help you.  Something about being on your knees just ticks you off.  You really really want to move though...you scoot, lean waaaaay over, but no forward motion.  You still LOVE to walk (while holding on to us).  We got out some of the walking toys, thinking that may help you there...so we'll keep working on that as well!

You (more like I) survived 4 whole days apart.  I went to Disneyland for a training, and then to see Granny K and Ranaye in San Fran for two days.  That was the longest we've been apart and I can tell you that I won't be leaving you  for any longer then that...ever.  It was rough.  But we Face Time daily...several times a day.  The first morning I was gone I actually watched dad get you out of bed, feed you breakfast and get you ready!! It was almost like i was there!! What did people ever do before technology?!?!

Your first Halloween went really well!! You were a golfer, and it was adorable!! We just went over to Grandma and Grandpa's….were the Martinez's visited, as well as the Heeke's!! After that we came home and your friend James came by!! You weren't too sure about the costumes, but you handled it pretty well!

We moved you into your big boy carseat!  You don't seem to mind it much, I personally think its a pain in the ass to get you in and out of, but we'll get the hang of it!

And here are some random photos from the month…we only have a billion :)

(You have recently started making this face randomly when i'm taking your picture..it's adorable!)

I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that in 4 months, you will be 1.  It seems just like yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital.  Time really does fly....and I'd be perfectly fine with it slowing down!!!  Words can't even begin to describe the love we have for you...you truly bring SO much joy to us..

To the moon and back big guy!!

Declan - 7 month

Weight: 21.5 pounds (home scale)

Height: 27.5in.  (total guess)

You are wearing 6-9month, 9 month and some 12 month clothes.  Which we are running low on.  It's funny how stocked up we were on newborn/3 month and then it seems like we have hardly anything from here on out.  Guess mom just has to go shopping...shoot.  

Still hanging out in the 3's.  I think we'll stick with those for another box and then move on to the 4's.  We've been having some blowouts...and I'm not sure if we're just bad at putting the diapers on, or if you're just too big for them already.  Your weight is still within range...but son, you have the McGuire butt, and it may just be too big for the 3's :)  You most def get it from your daddy!!!

You son...are a eating machine!!! (obviously!!) You are doing so well with your solid foods!! The only thing you really haven't liked is peas...and from what i hear that's pretty common.  You tried green beans (loved!), mango (super loved!), plums (by far your fave!), carrots, chicken and beef! I'm still making your food...with the exception of the meat.  I am too chicken (pun intended!) to make meat in the blender.  So we have just been purchasing some Gerber's...and as i suspected, you are phased at all! I'm super glad we have Uncle Ben's organic applesauce and pear sauce...those have been a lifesaver! We also use his plums!  You eat three times a day...fruit for breakfast, fruit and veggie at lunch, and fruit and meat/veggie at dinner!  You take a bottle in between breakfast and lunch...again after lunch before your nap, and then usually another one around 7 when you're ready for bed.  Such a porker :)

You aren't crawling yet....and babe, I am perfectly fine with that! I'm not sure I'm ready to chase you all over!! You still LOVE to stand and pretend walk. You just laugh and grin from ear to ear anytime you are up on your feet.  I'm almost wondering if we'll just skip crawling all together and go straight to walking!  Whatever floats your boat bud!  Dad's been working with you like crazy to get you to at least get up on your knees....but you just despise it.  Gramme thinks it's because you don't have knees, just rolls :)

You just got your 3rd tooth!!! (Right eye tooth) I knew it was coming...you've been fighting sleep a little more then normal, and acting a little crabby.  But honestly, teething has not been that hard on you! We've been VERY blessed!  I just hope you continue to take it well...momma doesn't like it when you don't feel good!

You start going to daycare this week (Oct. 9th).  I'm excited for you.... I really think you'll love being around your buddy James.  I just hope you two don't kill Lynde in the process!! You'll be going Wednesday's and Friday's for now.  Gramme Doll just wasn't ready to give you up full time....and I'm not sure she ever will!  You two just have a blast together! I don't look forward to when you can talk...and tell me you'd rather stay with her.  It'll happen...I'd put money on it

You've started doing a head tilt.  It's hilarious.  It's like you're trying to look under something, but more time's then not, there's nothing to look under.  It's like you are trying to see from a different angle.  You're a goof.

This past month we've gone on a few short little trips.  First to visit Great Grandma in Wakeeny.

We went up twice this month and each time you were just an angel.  You travel so well now!!  Your Great Grandma got to love on you bunches....so did your Aunt Dana!! (Who came to watch you for a couple days while Gramme was out of town...you two had a BLAST!! plus you scored all sorts of new toys! The bath toys have been you're favorite, especially the crab! We loved having her here and can't wait for her to come back!)

You also traveled to Wichita to cheer me on in my 3rd 1/2 marathon!!! Crossing that finish line was SO much sweeter with you and dad right there to welcome me!!! 

That same weekend we got your 6 month photo's taken!  You were a little grumpy, since you decided to wake up at 6am instead of your usual 7.  So these were right around when you wanted a nap....I'm still super happy with them!! 

And here's some 7 month photo out takes.... you were being a ham!

You have grown SO much this past month...and it's been so fun to watch you discover new things.  I can't wait to see what the 7month of life brings you.... 

To the moon and back buddy...

Declan - 6 months

I'm in denial.... no way is my baby boy already 1/2 a year old, NO WAY.

Weight: 18lbs. 13oz. (75%)

Height: 26.5in. (50%)

Head: 17in.

I just can't believe how much you've grown in the past couple of months.  I find myself looking at you and thinking...where the deuce did my baby go and who is this small child?!?! It makes me have baby fever already...and that's scary :)

You're wearing 6 month, and 6-9 month clothes.  I purged your closet this past month, and then apologized to your father.  He kept telling me you didn't need any more clothes, but I didn't listen.  In my defense your father is usually wrong, so I wasn't too worried about it.  Turns out he was right.  You had/have WAY too many items of clothing.  I already have two tubs full of things that don't fit you.  TWO TUBS.  You've only be alive for 6 months.  I really want a little girl next, but I think you need a brother to wear all those outfits again (to make it worth all the $$ i spent!)

Just like I suspected, you weren't in size 2 diapers for very long. (we're trying to finish off what few we have left)  A big ol box of 3's should be here tomorrow....hurray :)

You are sitting up like a big boy.  It's adorable and sad all at the same time. I can't believe you're old enough to do this....ugh.

You still just have the two bottom teeth...but you have started drooling like it's your job this past week.  So maybe your top teefers are coming in.  Or you just feel the need to soak every single shirt you own...either way.  You haven't been acting like you're in pain or anything so I continue to be thankful for that.  I'm just worried the hammer's going to drop on this soon.  We've been so lucky with you handling teething so well....soooo lucky.

You've sort of cut out your evening nap.  So now you take a nice long one in the morning (usually around 10am) for a couple of hours, and then a shorter one in the afternoon (around 3).  But that's it.  So by 8pm you're tuckered...and off to bed you go!  It's been nice to have a little Mommy/Daddy time, but i do have to admit i often stare at your monitor wishing you'd wake up so we could hang out :)

You obviously love to eat.  You've had sweet potatoes, banana's, pears, apples, peaches, and peas.  You do not like peas.  You love all the fruit though (duh.  you are my child!).  We just started feeding you a little at each meal.  You seem to do the best at lunch time.

(uncle Ben feeding you his apples for the first time)

We took a family vacation this past month.  We traveled out to Breckenridge to spend 5 days with the whole Doll gang!  Aunt Sadie flew in Wednesday night...and Bre and Ben met us out at the house on Friday afternoon.  You got LOTS of snuggles in with all three of them...you did lots of exploring as well! You rode the gondola to the top of the mountain...but slept through the whole thing.  You did your first outlet mall shopping...you also did your first sleeping unswaddled (i was not a fan of this!)

You also got to experience all that is Manhattan, KS this past month.  Mom and Dad LOVE this place, and couldn't wait to share it with you!!! We went to the first K-State football game of the season (and it was a hot mess, literally!) and spent the rest of the weekend exploring Manhattan with the rest of the McGuire's!  It was a great weekend, and I can't wait to make many more memories in that town with you! (PS. this is where you'll be attending college in 18 years, you'll just love it!)

You've discovered your head.  Well I mean you've discovered shaking your head.  So we get lots of no no's from you.  Of course you have no idea that's what it means....but it's still pretty cute. 

Oh yes.  On the way to Breckenridge we stopped at Denver Children's and met with a new doctor.  I think we've decided to do your surgery there in March.  I just felt SO much better about Dr. Yoon, and the whole team there.  So we'll be spending a LOT of time in Denver next year.  You'll be in some of the country's best hands little guy....I have no doubt about that.

(Some day soon I'll do a whole post of what's happening with your ears....some day soon)

Everyday is something new and exciting with you.  You constantly are making your dad and I (and a lot of other people too!) smile.  You have such a sweet/loving personality and I can't wait to see what kind of person you're becoming.  You truly make everyday special little guy.... we love you to the moon and back...