10-month update!

 

Iver turned 10 months while we were in Virginia last week, and:

- probably weighs 17.5-18 lbs. At his 9-month checkup, he was 17#1 oz and in the 9% for weight, but closer to 50% for length and head circumference. He still fits 6-12 month clothing

- is still exclusively on breastmilk as well as a variety of solids, except for on our vacation, when he went on a bit of a solids strike (while now, home, he's going on a bit of a bottle strike). He seems to prefer finger-feeding (himself) than being spoon-fed, and being fed on the run rather than in the high chair. He's tried a variety of foods, including (most recently) olives, but the quantity he takes down is less than impressive (except when Grandma cooks special porridge and feeds him!), which makes me nervous because he is on the smaller side. But I hear children don't starve themselves and that "food before one is just for fun."  It still keeps the pressure on me as a milk-producer. We'll continue to chase him around trying to get bites in him. We tried peanut butter a few weeks ago, with some newer evidence suggesting that early introduction of allergenic foods may be beneficial, but he had an immediate facial hives/swelling/vomiting reaction.... so we're holding off and being cautious for now. I sincerely hope he doesn't grow up to have a true peanut allergy, as I'm pretty philosophically against the concept of "nut-free schools"; however, my perspective is a bit different now, as a parent!

- still has 4 (two upper, two lower) teeth, which seem to be growing (I call the top ones "chiclet teeth") and which he uses very well, continuing to bite collarbones when you're holding him, your fingers (when he's bored or when you fish out undigested food), still (occasionally) my nipples, and the whole side of his crib, which looks horrendously chewed! He does also grind these teeth.

- poops pretty much every morning and pees regularly throughout the day on the baby potty over our toilet

- is still pretty fearless and very adventurous. He crawls with alarming speed, and quickly can get into anything (blinds, drawers, trash cans, dog food), etc. if left for even a moment.  He loves to climb, onto steps or ledges, into laundry baskets, etc. He cruises like a madman and will free stand momentarily, but hasn't shown any signs of walking yet.

- mimics us and suggests that he can understand some commands. He'll wave and clap his hands mostly on command, as well as close his eyes and give us this flirty, squinty smile! See movie below.

- talks a lot, saying "baba, papa" "caca" a few "mum-mum"s and lots of pterodactyl-sounding noises

- he shows some signs of stranger anxiety, like on the cruise boat, preferring only mama/papa to pick him up, but after a couple of days, he gets used to a new face, allowing my sister and my parents to pick him up.  He seems to love other babies/children, and will smile for just about anyone. 

He is a really happy baby and frequently doles out smiles and great belly-laughs, particularly when playing "peek-a-boo," and generally only cries when fighting naps and sleep, or when restrained in a carseat for long periods

- has one international (Ecuador) stamp in his passport!

- was not a great sleeper on our travels, partly due to co-sleeping (we think) and waking frequently, every two hours, to nurse (he'd start in a pack and play and end up in our bed).  On Tuesday night, he actually went 8 (YES, EIGHT) hours without waking up in his crib, which was a miracle (I still woke up at his usual times, wondering if he was alive). I am really hoping this becomes a pattern. He's down to only one nursing session/diaper change at around 3 am, but still usually wakes around 11pm- midnight and sometimes at 5 am, but if he can go 8-3, and then 330-6, I'll be happy!

He usually naps twice a day for 1-1.5 hours, mid-morning and early-to-mid-afternoon, although he still often puts up a fight, particular for the afternoon nap and for mommy

- loves to be outside, walking in the stroller/BOB or being carried forward-facing in the Lillebaby carrier, or swinging or going down slides at the neighborhood park 

- has gotten more interested in Pepper, trying to pull on her paws and/or fur, which she actually tolerates remarkably well (or runs away)

- has figured out how to blow raspberries, mostly on Kelvin which is really cute

- is a bright, delightful, and funny little guy who is looking more like a "boy"/toddler than infant every day!

"Closing his eyes" (responding to the Vietnamese command)

"Bite and smile"