First Kisses

I know that Jon Loran was both hungry and teething, but I just have to call these kisses for mommy!

Six Months Old!

 Jon Loran turned six months old last week! He weighed in at 16 lbs 3 oz (25%ile) and 26 inches long (50%ile)--what a big boy! Here are a few things about him:

• Still has gorgeous blue eyes
• Hair seems to be blonde, but there is not much there :)
• Loves to smile and laugh with us
• He laughs at funny sounds, coughing, sneezing, and spitting up, splashing in the tub, funny faces, and stuffed animals
• Snuggles with his daddy every morning after he eats so I can finish getting things together for the day
• Loves being outdoors--a great bad mood fixer-upper!
• Plays in the exersaucer and still loves his play gym
• Starting to grab for his toys
• Sits up with support and plays with toys
• Still loves his bath time
• Started teething and is often found with four fingers or a fist in his mouth.
• He found his toes and loves to hold on to them!
• Eats peas, sweet potatoes, squash (not his favorite), pears, apples, and bananas
• Starts kicking really hard with a big smile whenever I pick him up from daycare each afternoon--I love the recognition, what a treasure!
• He's made a few friends at daycare and we even have a picture of he and another little boy holding hands (sorry, but can't post it). 
• Jason and I treasure our evening time with him by taking a family walk, sitting with him while he eats his big boy solid foods, playing on the floor together, and then bathtime. These are such special moments I pray we never forget! 

Sweet face! Gnawing on his fist for comfort :).

Played outside while I worked in our garden.

6 months old!

Playing in the exersaucer.

Beginning to Imitate

We just wanted to record some of this fun stage of imitating our crazy sounds. We LOVE these smiles, and yes, he really is this much fun!

Four Month Update

Jon Loran's life has become very exciting these days with new people and new things to learn each day! He's been attending daycare full time now for about a month and has the sweetest ladies that take such good care of him. He's giving us lots and lots of smiles, eating more, and sleeping through the night most nights (yippee!!!). The ladies at daycare say he is such a cheerful little guy and a big time snuggler! I do love those snuggles! He did his first roll from his belly to his back during tummy time yesterday! He's even started to giggle a little. Jon Loran gets lots of good daddy time when he gets home and seems to really love his daddy. Jason and I are constantly amazed with the gift we've been given in our son. We are overwhelmed with joy and love each day through the smiles and coos and even the tears.
My favorite part of the day each day is taking him up to his room after dinner time to get ready for his bath. He lays on his changing table with only his diaper on and plays with his towel. He'll "talk" and smile for a good 30 minutes here if I let him! We sing songs, I'll even read him stories here, or just talk to him. Bath time continues to be a fun time too, but very relaxed! :)
We just had his 4-month check up and here are his stats:
Weight: 13 lbs 13 oz (25%)
 Height: 24 3/4 in. (50%)
The doctor said his growth chart looks wonderful! Preemie, shmeemie! :) We are so thankful for this healthy, happy baby boy!

He loves standing up with us!

Daddy and dog playtime!

This was around 3 months old, but a cute one from daycare.

He's Giggling!

My first glimpse of his giggling was when I picked him up from daycare two days ago. He was propped up in an exersaucer and the daycare caretaker was sitting by him and chatting with him. She showed me what she'd been doing--something like a tiger noise and leaning into him and he let out this big giggle. It was so cute! Here is my first successful video of it...

Finally Loving the Swing

Jon Loran used to hate the swing, but over the past couple of days he has really improved in focusing on nearby objects. I was just over in the kitchen (the other side of that green wall), and heard the sounds you'll hear at the end of the video over and over. He was gooing and cooing and talking to the bears for a good 10-15 minutes. It was so cute!

Family Photos and the Holidays

The Catching family was all together this Christmas in Montgomery! So, we were able to get some wonderful pictures of everyone! Thank you Matt--we love our photos!

My precious son and me!

Little Benjamin loved his baby cousin! It was wonderful to spend time with all of the boy cousins, even though this resulted in Jon Loran's first cold :(.

 

Big smile on his first Christmas morning!

I was able to have a wonderful lunch with my dear college friends the day we left to get back home. We have so many special memories and lots of fun together!

Jon Loran's first New Year's Eve! Though he went to sleep WAY before the celebration, we were able to enjoy our 6th annual reunion with our friends from the house in Chattanooga where Jason and I first met. We hosted this year in Knoxville and loved getting to just relax and visit with these wonderful friends.

The boys from 4103 who were able to be there.

Doesn't he look thrilled!?!