Chompers

Back to baby stuff, at least for this post. We were very surprised to discover that Declan has been working on three teeth concurrently over the past couple of weeks. We knew that the bottom lateral incisors were working on coming in but I hadn't noticed that one of the upper lateral incisors was also working its way in until Tuesday evening while I was brushing his teeth. That brings his grand total of teeth up to 7 and I suspect that since the rest of the teeth have come in pretty well paired that number 8, the second top lateral incisor will be making its way in soon. Declan has been handling this surprisingly well but not without incident. I have frequently seen him rubbing his toys on his gums which is interestingly different behavior than the chewing he was doing before when the central incisors were coming in. We've heard him wake up in the night and make noise briefly a number of times over the past few weeks. One night, a few weekends ago he woke up really fussing so we got up, comforted him and gave him some infant Tylenol. That seemed to do the trick and so now we make a point to give him some before bed most nights until the teeth break through. This has helped immensely with his sleep. I've been sending frozen teethers over to the nanny and he has been using them during the day but I'm not sure how much. Overall he's been slightly more fussy but not for any prolonged period but he also seems distracted. He was really making some progress towards learning to crawl but that seems to be on hiatus currently, I assume as he deals with the discomfort.

Teething seems to be the only thing he is really ahead of schedule on and this surprises me a little as I was the slowest ever with getting my teeth. I guess he doesn't have my genes on that. I didn't get my first adult tooth until I was in 2nd grade, last in my class, as most of my peers joined the "loose tooth club" in first grade. (I never got to have my name on the special tooth paper up on the classroom wall like every one else and I obviously felt left out and have issues if I am still harping on it, ha ha!) Declan's rapid growth of teeth really only has me concerned because I fear that if he starts to get the more painful teeth early he will be less equipped to deal with it. From what I have read by the time kids typically get their molars it doesn't bother them as much because they are more distracted with running around and such. I suppose only time will tell and there isn't anything we can do about it anyway.

Little man enjoying his second visit to our favorite Mexican restaurant. I must say that although pricey the Cool Wazoo is a pretty awesome thing to have between your kiddo and the table when he decides he wants to chew on that table. (Oh and they didn't pay me to say that, I'm just genuinely glad to own one.)

Aside from teething the little guy has been expanding his food choices a little more. He's now had purees with chicken, ham and beef. I mixed each with a vegetable, sweet potato, peas and broccoli, respectively, and they have gone over well with him. The spinach/rice puree I made is the only thing he really seems disinterested in although I can typically coax him into eating at least some of it. Feeding time has gotten a bit longer as he is now way more interested in what is going on around him than eating. The dog walks by, Jake goes into the kitchen or turns on the TV and his attention is immediately away from food. I suppose this is very normal and I can usually get his focus back by making funny noises. He's still working on his pincer grip. It is getting better but not enough that I am willing to give him anything other than baby puffs. He's still clutching them in his fist and then trying to fit his fist into his mouth. He does manage to eat more of them on his own now so we're getting there. I'm in no rush because I know the mess factor only goes up once he is feeding himself.

One final note, I seem to have been able to teach him that "high five" means he slaps my hand when I put it out in front of him. It surprised me that he figured this out and although it isn't a traditional high five the fact that he understands what something means is awesome. He's a week away from being 9 months old. Ack! How did this happen? Before I know it he's going to be smashing cake in his face. I don't even want to think about it right now!