Axel is 6 months old!!

Axel turned 6 months this past Wednesday, on the 30th of Sept. It is amazing to think that he is half way through his first year. We just got back from his 6 month Dr.'s appt. He is still 25.5 inches long (they have mis-measured him a couple of times), which is the 30th percentile and 14lb 15.5 oz.......oh so close to our goal of 15 lbs. He is now in the 9th percentile for weight, which is a bummer because he was eating very well for a couple of weeks. He took a negative turn about a week ago. The Dr. thinks it is because he out grew his current dose of medication. We are all hoping that be increasing the dose he will start eating more again which equals sleeping more.

Here is Axel all ready to go this morning. You can see how thrilled he is by needing the Binkie to calm him :)
The medication makes a world of difference. To give you an idea when Axel is on a clinically effective dose of Zantac he is able to eat 6oz at a time and he easily consumes 32oz for the day. On days he eats well he is able to sleep in 4 hour stretches, getting up only 3 times a night. The past week or so he is back down to eating 3-4 oz at a time, barely consuming 25+ oz for the day, waking 6-8 times with 1-3 of those times being a 1 hour cry fest. I have never been an advocate for drugs until now. Keith and I are praying that he will return to his happy self within a day or two once we increase his medication.

Axel has been eating rice cereal off and on for over a month. We have been much more consistent the past week giving Axel rice cereal after his morning and late afternoon bottle. Yesterday we started sweet potatoes. He seemed to like them, despite only eating 10 spoonfuls both in the morning and later afternoon. The good thing is I know that he is finally starting to consume "solids" because his poop has changed. Yes people, they are no longer yellow and runny :)

Axel has also been on 50% formula, lactose free, for one month now as well. The GI specialist suggested doing half and half for as long as possible. This way he would still get the benefit of breast milk without having as much irritation if he is allergic to something that I am eating. She wants us to continue this for as long as I am willing to continue to pump. I have been pumping 100% of the time now for 6 weeks and luckily I am trying hard to decrease my milk supply because our freezer is getting too full so I think we will be able to make it close to the year mark.

Physically Axel continues to practice sitting, rolling and standing. He is getting better at rolling from his back to his stomach and he does a great job of being pulled up to standing from lying down on his back. He was difficult to keep still at the Dr.'s office today. He is into reaching for everything. Including blood pressure cuffs and table paper. Everything goes into the mouth! Here is Axel playing while I fold clothes. Axel accidentally opened his play gym and had more fun playing under the gym than on it :) Axel responding to his name.....he is about 50% on turning when I call him. He loves inspecting his toys more closely. Axel now pulls the animals off the play gym. He much rather play with the plastic hangers and bite the mirror :) Axel also continues to be a jabber mouth. Those of you who talk to me on the phone know that Axel is always busy talking or screeching up a storm when mommy's talking. Here is a video of how his babble has changed. I love the new cooing over the old. It sounds more real to me. Sometimes I think he is actually saying mama, dada, baba, but I know he has no idea what he is saying.

Oh, I am sure Keith would like me to include that while I was at a conference this past Saturday he took Axel for a walk with his college buddies Mark and Tyler. Yes, it was quite a scene, with three men and a baby :)


It is also important to note that with the cool weather came our first official pumpkin pie. I am excited to be in our pumpkin pie season which lasts through the end of the year. I asked Keith last night if he thinks we will break our record of 11pumpkin pies this year. I hope so because I absolutely love them. He is going to be suprised to see half of it already gone when he gets home tonight. What can I say....I had a pumpkin pie diet today :)

Ok, hope you all have a great weekend!