Wow, time flies! Been about 3 weeks since my last post. So much has happened; I've thought so many times of things that I want to record about Cooper, but just haven't quite made it to the computer. And of course, I now can't remember most of what was so sensational to me at the time. Which is exactly why I keep this blog - things fade and blur so quickly, and he is only little for such a short time - I want to be able to remember as much as possible!
Sleeping...
I'm so happy to report that Cooper is starting to sleep better. Last night, for example, was sensational - he went to bed about 10:30 (Silly me didn't go til at least 11:30!), and slept through til 3:30. Back in his bed before 4am, and slept through til 6:45! Wohoo! Only one wake-up! (He had his morning feed and dozed off for his usual cat nap of 20 min or so, but then must have been tired, as he then demanded more milk and went off again!)
What has 'changed'? What are we doing differently? Not much, really.
I did have a couple nights sleeping in the lounge room (Cooper up in the room with Jase so that hopefully Jase would wake to him before I did!) when Jase wasn't working the next day, which recharged my batteries slightly.
This gave me more energy to persist with re-settling him without feeding a bit more often, which maybe helped? People kept telling me that if I fed him to sleep, he would continue to wake regularly for more comfort feeds. Bit of a catch 22 though, as I was physically unable (fatigue and hip and back soreness) to get him back to sleep any other way.
I'm not sure if he is sleeping better which enables me to put him to sleep without feeding, or if the putting to sleep without feeding encouraged better sleep? Bit of both, I reckon. I know one day/night when I was having a bad day and just fed him to sleep each time, and he actually slept really well (I think that was the first 'break through' night), so I'm pretty sure it is a developmental thing at least as much, if not more than our patterns and habits.
Achievements...
Cooper is such a fast crawler now. He is pulling himself up on furniture and people, and starting to walk along the furniture and a little while we hold his hands. He will let go of the couch and turn to grab me, still mostly falling, but continuing to try. He is so very proud of himself! So cute when he gives himself a clap, and falls over in the letting go!
Oh yeah, clapping is a new achievement, which is loves to do! He also high fives, but doesn't get the point of waving yet.
He is definitely understanding key words now. For example, he will clap on command, without demonstration. I believe he also understands up, finished, bathies, mum, dad, Ama (Grandma), and... other words which I can't think of right now.
Development...
He is still growing like a weed. Although, on the charts, percentage-wise for his age, he has slowed quite considerably, I believe. (Haven't checked for a month.) Weighs a ton. I find it really difficult to carry him for long.
He still loves people and the outdoors. It kills him on Friday arvos when we have a bunch of kids over, and the 4 big kids go outside to run around and he usually has to stay inside with the other baby. He can't wait to be one of the big kids.
Cooper still flashes his gorgeous smile around, although not with quite the same abandonment as before. He often takes longer to check people and situations out before he shares his smiles and chatter with them. When he does, however, he is still the charmer he always has been.
He will be 9 months tomorrow, and Jase and I still love him to bits!
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