Eight Month Update

Michael celebrated his first Christmas this month. We traveled to Erie and spent the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Platte. As always he was the star of the show. He opened a lot of presents, but he liked the wrapping paper more than he did the presents. Although he does have a new favorite toy - a vibrating teether (you can watch a riveting video of him with his new toy at the end of this post). He spent most of his time with family, but did travel to see some of Mommy's friends.

Not much is new on the development front. He has stopped blowing raspberries, but continues to find new noises that he can make. We are still waiting for him to roll over from his back to tummy. We think he is getting closer. He is not crawling yet or trying to pull himself up, which means he's easier to manage at this point. He doesn't go back to the doctor for a weight or height check up until his nine month appointment.

In the middle of January he'll begin day care when Mommy returns to work. It will be an adjustment for everyone. He will go to a place that is near his house and Mommy knows a few other parents who take their children there. He'll be visiting there a few times before Mommy goes back just so he can adjust to his new surroundings.

Here is the video of his First Christmas: First Christmas

Here is a link to new pictures: Month 8

Seven Month Update

Michael had quite an adventure this month. He took his first plane trip to Florida. He did great! Dad was quite nervous that he'd cry inconsolably the whole time, but he rarely cried. We left on Monday, 11/24. We had two flights, the first to Tampa and then to Fort Lauderdale. He was fascinated by all the people on the plane, the lights and the noises. However, he eventually fell asleep during take-off. He might have stayed asleep the whole flight if Mom didn't move her arm since it was falling asleep. Once he woke up he wouldn't fall back asleep as there were so many things to look at. He had to smile at everyone who walked by him. He had to grab anything new he could find - the tray, our drinks, our peanuts, and the magazines in the seat pocket. We got him to sleep on the second flight (Tampa to Ft. Lauderdale) around 8:15 PM (about 30 minutes after his bedtime). However, once we deplaned and gently tried to put him in the stroller he was up and ready to go. He was too excited with his new surroundings. He couldn't fall asleep in the car as there were new people to look at (Payner grandparents). And it took awhile to wind down at his temporary residence as that was all new. Finally by 10:30 PM (3 hours after his bedtime) he was asleep and slept in the next morning. The flight home on Tuesday, 12/2 was similar. He smiled at everyone and slept very little. Although he finally lost momentum when we were an hour from Pittsburgh. He crashed on Dad's chest and the people around us were shocked that he stayed asleep during the entire landing.

Our time in Florida was good. Michael was a good sport. He seemed to adjust quickly. He didn't cry a lot when people held him and he didn't mind his new bedroom (the walk-in closet). The weather was great - in the 70's and only a few days of rain. We didn't make it to the pool though - none of the ones we had access to were heated. He adjusted to the dogs (just cringed his face when they would come near him) and they adjusted to him. He enjoyed spending time with his cousins, Zoe and Jake. He managed to fall asleep in the car a few times despite Nanny's best efforts to keep him up.

Other things that are new in his life are carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, apples, pears, and bananas. So far we don't think he has a favorite - he just likes to eat. He babbles a lot and still has yet to roll over from his back to tummy. He loves to blow raspberries; sometimes so much that his shirt is drenched with spit (see photos). He has a new bathtub (see the photos), so he no longer bathes in the sink. He seems to like his new tub. He doesn't really like the cold weather that much. Mommy and Daddy don't like it that much either since it requires putting more clothes on him.

Here's a link to the new pictures: Month 7