Wes' 1/2 year birthday!

Wes is 6 months old!  Whereas last month he wasn't sleeping, was screaming all the time, squirming constantly and, in general, driving his parents bonkers; he is back to cool dude status.

He started solid foods and busily PLOWS sweet potatoes, squash, peas, parsnips and pretty much anything else we can give him - all while still nursing.  We started solids at about 5+ months because he would SCREAM when we ate if we didn't give him any.  Once we started giving him food at meal time he was content as could be.  We also started sleep training around 5+ months and he is sleeping much better, about 2 wake ups per nights.

His gross motor skills are exploding - he can sit unsupported for at least a minute or two now and is able to keep himself supported on hands and knees if  you put him there.  He does the backwards scoot during tummy time but no more rolling yet.  He is also babbling and trying to have conversations with everyone.  He is still the same old Wes and LOVES attention.  If you walk away from him, he will let you know that he wasn't done with you yet :)  All in all, after a rough month 5, he is settling in to life in our new house and in Portland.  

Big sister has gotten more demanding on little brother.  Now that he is more interactive she involves him in all her games.  Bringing him toys and making him smile at times.  At other times biting him and pushing him down.  I alternate between thinking she is a saint and a sociopath.  Ha she will thank me for that later.  Elliot's favorite word is Why?  She is an intelligent and very curious girl.  Nothing gets by her and we have to always be thinking 2-3 steps ahead.  

Wes loves

 - EATING, particularly sweet potatos

 - looking at mom / dad / Elliot during family dance parties

 - grabbing hair 

 - grabbing dog ears

 - being warm

 - sitting facing forward in the BOB stroller to watch the world go by

 - putting everything in his mouth

-duck voices, peek-a-boo, belly buzzes and pretty much any other silly baby game.

 - did we mention he likes food?

Wes doesn't like

 - being cold

 - not be gazed at longingly by mom or dad

 - feeling alone 

 - poopy butts

 - when he can't shovel food fast enough into his mouth

Man this kid has a smile and a laugh that melts your heart.

Wes 5 months and no more toddling for Elliot

Time is flying!  Between traveling home from New Zealand, moving into a new house and getting ready for new jobs this month has flown by.  Unfortunately all this change has rocked Wes' world and little guy has decided he hates sleeping :(  There is little sleep in this house this month, for the first 2 months Wes was a rock star sleeper and then I think being in the camper van and not wanting to wake Elli up, we created some bad sleep habits with Wes and now we are all trying to recover.  He usually sleeps max 1-2 hours at a time and wants to eat all night.
Wes has also developed a blood curdling scream.  It is so high pitch you can't think.  Love the little guy but this scream a form of torture.  Funny thing is that it sounds the same if he is happy or pissed, you have to look at his face to decide.
In the last week he SCREAMS when he sees other people eating and grabs for it!  While it doesn't seem that he is fully ready for solids we have let him get little tastes of advocado and squash during dinner to keep him happy.
Wes has also developed alot more core strength and can nearly sit on his own, he tripods super well, then all of a sudden he crashes forward, backward, to the side...hard to predict.  He has a smile and a laugh to die for, seriously it is contagious.  He is more ticklish than anyone or any baby I have ever met.
Wes rolled!  Just from front to back twice but we are getting there.  We have also re-instituted the safe zone where nothing that can be spilled or broken can be in front of you because Wes grabs for everything!  Favorite things to grab are mom's hair, Elli's hair (she is surprisingly ok with this), and eyes.

Likes:

-Peek-a-boo

-Avocado

-Big sister Elliot

-Nap time cuddles

-Being outdoors and looking at the world

-Tickles...he is so ticklish

-Belly buzz's, did I tell you he was ticklish yet

-Standing up and pulling himself up on your hands

Dislikes:

-Sleeping, he really hates sleeping

-Being hungry!

-Not having your focus...and boy will he let you know it

-Getting pulled by Elliot
New Developments:

-The most blood curdling scream you could ever hear.  Sometimes its a happy scream, sometimes its pissed off but man is it load

-Wes rolled from front to back

-Trying solids

-Sitting in tripod position

-Full grasp of things into his mouth

-Scooting and lifting his belly off the floor

ELLIOT

Big sister Elliot is really stepping up to the plate.  She constantly brings him toys, nuk's, plays peek-a-boo.  Seeing Elli always brings a smile to his face.  Except when she is pulling his arm of or smothering him...oops.
Elliot is getting so smart and big.  She has complete sentences, tries to negotiate, can tell small "fibs."  Her favorite thing to do is ask one parent, get a no, then turn to the other and say "she said yes."  Seriously we are in trouble when she gets older!  Climbing, jumping, spinning, dancing you name it.  Her favorite past time right now is...reading books!  An interesting turn for our very active little girl