Wow, the months are just flying by, huh? I can’t believe a) that Grayson will be seven months old next week and b) Christmas is SO SOON. It feels like just yesterday we came home from the hospital with him!
We’ve had a really fun month! Our first family trip to Yosemite was a blast. Grayson played in the snow for the first time and was very intrigued by it. As you’ve been obviously noticing, I haven’t been online as much lately. It’s honestly been great for our family for me to take a bit of a breather. I’m able to focus more on Grayson during the day rather than trying to balance my time blogging and taking care of an infant. I honestly don’t know where the time goes, but the days have suddenly started going really fast {as opposed to going really slow when I had a newborn..hah!}. I feel so lucky to be his mom and cherish every moment we spend together.
Our big six month pediatrician appointment was two weeks ago and it went great! Our big guy is 90% for height and 95% for weight. We adore our pediatrician — she is very holistically minded and we love that. Grayson is always all smiles when we see her and has yet to even flinch from a single shot! Must be all that extra padding… 😉
Grayson is now rolling everywhere, sitting up on his own and blabbering all day long. It’s so fun to watch his progress, which sometimes seems to happen overnight. I swear he just started sitting up unassisted one morning when he couldn’t do it the night before. It’s nuts. No teeth yet but we all feel like it’s imminent. He is chewing on everything he can get his hands on and lots of drool. Yes, we have an amber necklace!
This month, Grayson is loving Dexter! We’ll be sitting on the kitchen floor playing with measuring cups and spoons when I’ll call loudly, “Dexterrrrrrrrrrr” and Grayson will look around for him! When he comes running in, Grayson will let out a big squeal. They are best buds and Dexter doesn’t even mind the constant tail and fur pulling. He is also loving going on walks, in the stroller or in the wrap, and his stuffed animals.
Oh, and he loves food…obviously. Our pediatrician gave us the go ahead for introducing new fun foods and Grayson is just eating everything up. He’s not picky at all, which I love. I’ve been giving him a big stew made with coconut milk, chicken and a whole slew of veggies that I puree up. He adores it! I have this little French baby food cookbook that I’ve been working through.
Check out Grayson at four months versus six months….what a difference!
We have a lot of holiday travel coming our way! We leave in less than two weeks to spend a week with my family for Christmas! Pray for us. We’re so excited to share Grayson with our families this holiday season. He’s such a jolly little baby and makes everyone smile. I mean all that crazy hair? Come on. It’s the best.
Laura @SheEatsWell
December 5, 2014 at 9:05 amHe just looks so happy all the time! I love it. His pictures are the best and make me smile during my study breaks. Thanks for sharing his story with us…cutest little chunker!
emily
December 5, 2014 at 9:20 amWhat wrap is that? I love the color! For baby #4 I need to get some new cloth diapers and new wraps and I’ll be ready to go 😉
jenna
December 5, 2014 at 9:27 amIt’s a Didymos jade indio woven 🙂
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner
December 5, 2014 at 10:04 amLove his smile and his big blue eyes–what a cutie!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
December 5, 2014 at 10:09 amOh my goodness that sweet face! Absolutely adorable and so happy!
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy
December 5, 2014 at 10:17 amI can’t believe he is is 6 months old already!
Sending prayers your way for your trip! We traveled for Christmas last year when Wyatt was 9 months old. 3 cities in 8 days! It was crazy but fun 🙂
cath
December 5, 2014 at 10:27 amNo offense- I really love your site and reading about your experiences with a new baby, but it’s been good for you to take time away from blogging to manage caring for an infant? What about us mothers who have to work- full time 8 hours a day. You have the luxury of staying home with your child. Some of us cannot afford to. I wish I could be home and write about my days on a blog instead of slogging the days away from my baby.
Angie
December 5, 2014 at 11:06 amOh come on. Everyone’s situations are different and I cannot stand people who whine about this (and it appears as though it’s a bit of jealousy). Jenna’s work is to blog, Jenna has a baby, Jenna took some time away from the internet to spend time with her family- get over it.
Kelli
December 5, 2014 at 11:48 amWow, this comment is really rude! While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, do you really have to go out of your way to say it out loud?!? Let’s face it, we all try our hardest to be good parents. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it. Rock on Jenna!
Ashley Lomax
December 5, 2014 at 12:56 pmToo bad you couldn’t be paid for being jealous. You’d make a mint!
Ellie
December 5, 2014 at 3:58 pmI had to respond here because this comment is not only rude but it also makes no sense.
Nothing Jenna said suggests she has it worse than moms who work outside the home, which is what you seem to imply. She is merely saying that she is choosing to spend less time on her blog because she is focusing full-time on caring for a baby. It is a completely reasonable thing for her to say.
Additionally, I think many moms who work outside the home would make the same choice as Jenna if given the opportunity. If they could, I think many of them would love to spend less time working and more time with their babies. Why fault Jenna for making that choice? Oh, and unlike working moms, Jenna probably does not have daycare/nanny/other help with the baby. She has 100% of the responsibility (at least when dad’s away). That’s not to say that it is impossible to care for a baby full time AND work part time, but if Jenna prefers to focus on the baby, why on earth would that bother you?
I’m really just confused about your comment and what your problem is with what Jenna said. I think you were really reaching for a critique here. It’s interesting… I find that with this blog more than any other I read, there seems to be a group of people just determined to give the blogger a hard time. Fortunately Jenna does not seem to let it get to her, as far as I can tell.
Brigette
December 5, 2014 at 4:28 pmThis hostile response is completely unnecessary. Jenna simply said that it’s been good for her and her family…not implying anything about those who can’t. I have a 5 month old and work full-time but I don’t go around attacking the mom’s who are happy because they get to stay at home. If I had the choice I’d spend more time with my baby too. Instead of being jealous maybe you should work on being happy for other people who are more fortunate than you…you might find yourself a lot less bitter.
Grace
December 5, 2014 at 10:39 pmJenna is not the reason you cannot be a stay-at-home mother. You are. Take responsibility for yourself and focus on setting a better example for your children, rather than using the free time you do have spewing completely unsolicited vitriol.
jen
December 6, 2014 at 11:22 amI second this sentiment. So tired of hearing folks complain lately about how they wish they were as lucky as so and so. It’s all about choices and priorities. It may be an easier financial choice to stay home for some mothers than for others. But only the very disadvantaged truly don’t have much choice.
christina
December 7, 2014 at 12:10 pmditto to you both. well said.
Mrs. O
December 7, 2014 at 2:14 pmWay to go ladies- now let’s get on with more appropriate holiday sentiments-
Such as, wishing Every mother regardless of who she is, where she is, what she does, …. The very best in life. We are each other’s hand up in life- we should support each other, period. Women everywhere struggle- it’s relative. Not one of us has walked in each other’s shoes-
To anyone who is unhappy or is unable to make the choices they wish they could- your life is what You make of it. Do what you can to change your life into what you hope for and find other women who support you and help you along the way. Don’t waste a single precious moment tearing away at your fellow sisters in life.
rebekah
December 5, 2014 at 10:29 amI have been reading your blog and using your recipes for 5 or 6 years now.. and I know you don’t know me, but I feel like I know you, so it’s quite fun to watch your little man grow up. He is just adorable! He is sooo pudgy and I love it 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Also, I do hope your travels go well! We have 2 little boys and know it can be rough, but he seems like a jolly little (big 😉 ) fellow, so praying all goes well 🙂
DessertForTwo
December 5, 2014 at 11:07 amWhat a little cutie!
I’m glad you’re taking some time off–it’s the holidays, after all. I mean, I miss you and all, but your update posts are always chock full of stuff, so I feel caught up when you return.
The only parenting books I’ve read have been French (not sure what this means for me and bebe), but THANKS for another great French baby book! I’m obsessed 🙂
Nicki
December 5, 2014 at 11:15 amHE IS SO CUTE! Gah, I can’t handle it. Keep doing what you’re doing, and I LOVE these updates! Happy holidays!
Stephanie
December 5, 2014 at 12:11 pmGrayson is so sweet!! What a cute little guy!! Thank you for sharing him with us 🙂
Lauren
December 5, 2014 at 12:28 pmWhat a cutie!!!!!!!
Paige
December 5, 2014 at 1:50 pmLove to see your adorable and healthy baby boy smiling back at everyone! He always looks so happy! Wondering where you found the cute animal bib Jenna?
jenna
December 5, 2014 at 4:34 pmI found that at Whole Foods! The brand is called Modern Twist 🙂
Rachel
December 5, 2014 at 2:33 pmMy friend swears by the amber necklace, so much so that I’ve permanently filed it away in my mind of “must have’s” for when I have a baby.
kristin @ W [H] A T C H
December 5, 2014 at 2:42 pmwhat a big boy! so sweet.
Sophia C
December 5, 2014 at 2:58 pmThat smile is just like my little nugget–precious!
Thanks for the French book resource regarding babyfood. I’ve slowly been doing research on DIY babyfood and the French seem to have a knack for it, who knew!
Laura
December 5, 2014 at 5:48 pmi was talking to my husband a couple days ago about when ellie rae was a newborn and i asked him “do you remember when i would call you every afternoon in tears begging you to come home soon?” bahaha. there also may have been a time i called his boss……YIKES. she used to be my boss too so i guess it wasn’t too bad. thank goodness we can blame those irrational moments on hormones!!
all that to say—this age is SO FUN! i swear ellie rae legitimately makes me laugh everyday. she’s sleeping right now and i miss her! waaaah.
Diyet
December 5, 2014 at 11:37 pmThank you for sharing him with us 🙂
Mette Struckmann
December 6, 2014 at 4:57 amLove to read your blog – and wow what a difference with Grayson in the pictures 🙂 Love how much those little ones change in the first couple of months. Suddenly you can see the little child and that the baby dissapears.
I have to ask – why the amber necklage?
carol
December 6, 2014 at 6:29 amHave a blessed holiday with your family and friends ! Grayson is wonderful – how lucky you all are to have each other !
jan
December 6, 2014 at 9:54 amWhat a happy baby!! Love your pics. Glad to hear he’s doing so well!
krista@pastryinparis
December 6, 2014 at 7:27 pmAbsolutely adorable Jenna!
Tara
December 6, 2014 at 7:59 pmLove this post!!!! Kinda gives me baby fever 😉 sooooo are you planning to do a favorites post soon?! I always get the best suggestions from you! Safe travels for the holidays!
Megan
December 6, 2014 at 8:11 pmFor me, it seemed after my son was 5 months old, time flew by. Everyone told me that would happen, but like you said the newborn stage goes so slow. In a blink together f an eye, they are doing so much more. They just keep getting better and better. One super cool thing about your job is the record of events in your sons life. It will be really awesome to look back and reminice. Sure we try and keep up with a baby book and\or remember our kids milestones, but let’s face it, who can really do that in the amidst of busy life. It’s cool you are forced to write it all down. You get to remember everything, and that’s special.
christina
December 7, 2014 at 12:10 pmi love that he’s wearing a necklace. adorable. he definitely has your blue eyes!!
AshleyL
December 7, 2014 at 3:49 pmI bought that cookbook too! It’s the only one we have. We tried at 4 months and she wanted nothing to do with it. So we’re trying again at 5.5 months. I noticed you’ve done fruits and vegetables and proteins. Did you do any baby cereal like rice or oat? I’ve been going back and forth about introducing them first this time.
I totally understand stepping back and enjoying your son. Congrats!
April
December 7, 2014 at 5:35 pmIf I were Jenna, I’d give up sharing with such judgmental people. Be happy with what you have and who you are! For goodness sakes, you don’t have to read her blog! She’s a new mother with her own set of woes and stress, I’m sure. It’s time to end “mom wars” and lift up and support other women!
April
December 7, 2014 at 5:39 pmClearly, not everyone is judgmental 🙂
Hanna
December 7, 2014 at 6:29 pmI so agree with you! I don’t know how she does it. I’ve honestly never seen a lifestyle blog with so many rude/judgemental commenters . Jenna is much stronger than me.. I would have quit ages ago!
April
December 7, 2014 at 6:47 pmSome of the comments honestly shock me! I guess I just don’t think that way. Insane jealousy and disdain have no place in my life 🙂 it takes a lot to just get through the day sometimes and there is no room for wasted energy!
Kate
December 9, 2014 at 9:39 amI agree, there are some very rude comments, and I do not agree with the comments whatsoever. However, I do believe these blogs are a job and a source of income for the bloggers so all forms of critique and commenting are unfortunately allowed. Just like in life with freedom of speech, not everyone that reads the blogs and comments need to applaud the bloggers and their lifestyles. Much of the bloggers, like Jenna’s, ability to be a stay at home mom comes from the blog readers! Perhaps varying views, so long as they are constructive and not mean spirited, can spark interesting debates.
Lindsay
December 7, 2014 at 6:17 pmThat face!! What a smiley little man! The days do go by so quick but are full of perfect little moments ????
jillian
December 8, 2014 at 6:35 amhe is so darn cute! happy for you and your family!
Elizabeth C
December 8, 2014 at 7:32 amWhat an adorable little butterball you got….He is absolutely adorable. Love following your blog. It will be such a joyous and fun Christmas as you see all the excitement in his eyes……ENJOY…..so blessed !
Colleen
December 8, 2014 at 7:58 amWho is Dexter? Dog or cat? 🙂 That’s so adorable.
Philippa
December 8, 2014 at 8:05 amHe is seriously the cutest little guy! He always looks so happy and friendly. You must be chuffed he’s growing so well and enjoying his food! xx
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork
December 8, 2014 at 9:40 amAw! He’s such a cutie! He looks so huggable I’m sure you must spend your days just cuddling him! Hope he enjoys the holidays and tearing through presents!
P.S. At first when you were saying he was loving Dexter, I was thinking you meant the TV show! Yikes!
em@simplypresent
December 8, 2014 at 8:24 pmSuch a precious boy! I wish you and your growing family a very happy first Christmas together!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
December 9, 2014 at 3:15 pmHe is just way too cute! Christmas will be so fun this year 🙂
Pam
December 9, 2014 at 4:16 pmHe is adorable!! So happy for you and your hubby. God is good.
Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists
December 9, 2014 at 4:24 pmHe’s getting so big! Love keeping up with your updates:)
Jen@jpabstfitness
December 9, 2014 at 5:16 pmHe is so cute! My youngest just turned 8 months yesterday, I swear she was just born!! And now she’s crawling everywhere, pulling up on things and I swear she’ll be leaving for college soon 🙁
Kari@Loaves n Dishes
December 9, 2014 at 5:40 pmSuch a cutie, and I love that you posted the messy face pics!
Emily
December 9, 2014 at 6:43 pmSeriously. Can I just eat him up?! Those cheeks and that hair! My little guy was born just a week before Greyson, so it’s fun to see what he’s doing to compare!
ali
December 12, 2014 at 6:47 amHi Jenna,
I’ve followed your blog for YEARS. I feel like we’ve gone through our 20s together . I’ve read just about everything you’ve ever written, including your book, and I regularly use your recipes! I just found out last week that I’m expecting my first child! I just wanted to say that I’m so thankful for all of the tips you’ve posted about your pregnancy and about raising a (totally adorable) newborn!!!!
Jen
December 14, 2014 at 6:48 pmJenna,
Enjoy the holidays with your beautiful little family. Been following for years..you are so lovely. Thank you for sharing pieces of your world with us 🙂
Ashley
December 16, 2014 at 9:14 pmThis post made me SO.Happy. !!!! I have been a long time reader and I am just so Thrilled for you. You seem so wonderfully happy and it fills my heart with joy for you.
Enjoy your precious baby boy and your hubby! Life is about these sometimes difficult but very rewarding little moments that happen every single day.
Many blessings for a beautiful Christmas season!
good tarotista
December 19, 2014 at 5:20 amGreat post. I will be experiencing a few of
these issues as well..
Modelleri
January 7, 2015 at 4:28 amWhat a happy baby!! Love your pics. :))
Chelsea
January 7, 2015 at 2:51 pmJenna, I have been reading you blog long before you have Grayson and I have loved following along with his growth. I am glad to hear he is in such good health.
You are a wonderful writer and mother. I am so thankful for all the recipes you post and advice you give. I am glad you get to spend more time with your little man. I hope that comment above didn’t take root- because you are just delightful and everyone makes their own choices. Be encouraged that what you are writing and doing in life is for the glory of God- whether that’s at home, on the blog or in an office. You are on your path and that’s all anyone can ask!