Month 7

Happy 7 Months Bryce!  That makes me uneasy because 7 is too close to 12 and then it's back to work time.  Gulp!  How am I going to leave my little guy?  No one will be able to take care of him like I do! :s  And worse yet, we haven't heard back from any of the daycare facilities!  We're on waiting lists for a 1/2 dozen or so.

Bryce has a matching set of chompers!  His top two teeth broke through on July 13th - his 7 month Birthday.  A friend of mine has a daughter who is about 2 weeks older than Bryce, and also has 4 teeth now.  She apparently likes to grind them together when eating which makes an awful, bone shivering sound - like nails on a chalkboard.  I really hope that Bryce doesn't  do that...although I would imagine the sensation of having new hard, pointy things in your mouth would warrant the desire to click them together!? :s

At the recommendation of the Pediatrician, I am to start feeding Bryce meat.  However, this is proving to be much more difficult than anticipated.  Something about the texture of pureed meat, that is unpalatable to Bryce. (And really, I don't care much for it myself!!)  I guess the key is to keep introducing bits of it at a time and hope he takes a liking to it.  Or I could wait another month or two and introduce meat as a finger food instead of pureeing.  At the suggestion of my Mom, I tried the pre-pureed organic store bought versions like chicken and rice, & beef and pasta.  Ick!  The dog even turned her nose up at it initially....then had second thoughts and ate it anyways! lol 

Bryce has made huge advancements in the "sitting on your own" department.  He still topples occasionally but usually only when tired or craning his neck to find the dog!  (Oh how he loves Maddie.  As soon as he hears the nails clicking on the hardwood, he breaks out in the biggest grin! He still must think it's his uglier, really hairy Sister!! lol) I've noticed he leans forward a lot, like he wants to get on his hands and knees.  But if I attempt to put him on his tummy, or prop him up on his hands and knees, he wants no part of it.  Perhaps he'll just be a "bum scooter".  Guess I should just enjoy this time of immobility because soon, I will be VERY busy chasing a VERY active little boy!

Any similarities yet between Bryce and Daddy?

Does anyone see a resemblance yet to Daddy?  All of our friends say they can't figure out who Bryce looks like?!  I know we brought home the right baby because he never left my sight! Ha-Ha.  I guess he really is just a perfect 1/2 and 1/2 combo of Daddy and me! :) 




Daddy was away at a finance convention for a week this month and it was just Bryce and I at home.  It was a LONG, quiet week!  When he returned, I was afraid that Bryce might play shy but not a chance.  He face lit up as soon as he saw and heard his Daddy approach.  Daddy is a very 'colourful', playful character around Bryce and not easily forgettable.  I guess it's just me (the lady who spends 24/7 with him) that he forgets when I go away!! :s

It feels great to be caught up on the blogging. Perhaps update 8 will actually be posted in Month 8!  lol

Month 6

Our little bean is 6 months old!  How can that be?!  It seems like only yesterday that I was creating weekly pregnancy updates!!

Well he actually isn't so little.  His last weight was 22lbs, 3oz!  He is wearing 12-18month clothing!!  Most everyone we meet comments on his chubby legs!  I bet most people look at him and wouldn't  guess he is only 6 months old.  In fact, we were at Chapters the other day and a little guy ran up to us who was about 2 - he was the same size as Bryce!

As I contemplated doing in my pregnancy blog, I've started signing words to Bryce. Apparently it will give him the ability to communicate his needs before his speech develops, thereby potentially alleviating frustration and tantrums.  Now you might think that signing would delay speech, but it is supposed to actually encourage it. Studies proved that babies who were taught to sign, consistently spoke sooner.  The optimum time to begin this method is 6-8 months and gradually Bryce will associate the spoken word, object and hand sign. So far we use these words on a daily basis; Mommy, Daddy, Doggy, Kitty, Snake (Daddy's Pet) Eat, Milk, More, Finished, Hungry, Tired, Good Morning, Good Night, Happy, Excited, Bath, Sleep, Sit, Stand, Up, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, Be careful, Ball, Cookie, Diaper, Poo, Pee, Brush Teeth, TV, and Blanket.

We are still waiting for more teeth to arrive.  The count remains at 2.  It seems to be taking forever for those top two to make their appearance and Bryce is at times pretty miserable.  At the recommendation of my Pediatrician (who also practices holistic health), we've tried Camilia.  It contains Chamomilla which supposedly relieves teething pain and the accompanying irritability. And interestingly enough, it also contains Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) which is toxic at certain doses.  (But I guess all medicine is "toxic" if enough is ingested!)  It is supposed to ease the redness, inflammation and discomfort of the child's gum that occurs during the teething process. It can also have a sedating effect...which is why it's recommended to be given at night. Bonus!! :)

In addition to the Chamilia, I purchased an Amber teething necklace.  It's not meant to be chewed on, as some people think.  The theory is that Baltic Amber (a fossil resin) contains succinic acid.  When worn (and heated) against the skin, this succinic acid is absorbed.  Succinic acid allegedly has an analgesic effect that reduces the pain of teething.  Now being neurotic and a Medic, I did much research about this "medicine".  I was a little concerned because succinic acid is a precursor to ASA - which should never be given to children due to Reye's Syndrome.  However, its properties are not the same and there have not been any reported (that I could find) instances of untoward effects from Baltic Amber.  My other concern is that how do I know the "dosage" that he is absorbing if at all?!  To tell the truth, I haven't noticed much difference. But in fairness, he doesn't wear it very much - and NEVER while sleeping.

Well I guess I'll sign off as I must now write Month 7 - late with that one too!  lol