Photo Bomb: Trying to Crawl & Some Other Stuff

We've had some great progress over the past couple of weeks and Little Mango continues to develop so quickly! I had to catch him in action showing off some of his new moves and his favorite ways to play.

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ATTEMPTS AT CRAWLING

I would not be surprised if little man is crawling by the end of this week...he is so close. Its just a matter of him figuring out how to make his hands and knees move in the direction they are supposed to, but he is a little weary of that just yet. I know people say you're going to wish they weren't crawling once your house is completely baby-proofed and you can't sit them in one place and expect them to stay there any longer, but I don't care! I just want to see this baby move! Plus, I'm tired of pushing his toys "just out of reach" in hopes he will crawl to them...that just seems so mean.

Hmm...I think I'm going to try it...

Just need to get this leg behind me
(you know he's really trying when that tongue is out!)

Alright...here goes nothing!

Umm...I don't think I'm going to try that just yet.

How about a snack instead, mom?

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I love my TOYS!

Little man has been loving up on this toy...I do not remember who gave it to him, but a big THANK YOU goes out to them. It has sounds, lights, music and tons of action!

Picking up the weeble wobble

Sticking it in his mouth for a bit

And throwing it aside so he can get the other two!

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SITTING UP

 Cruz learned how to go from tummy to sitting up last month when my mom was here watching him while he was sick. I was SO impressed when I got home from work that night...and now there's no turning back! The best part is that he is able to sit up in his crib now and greets us every morning sitting up and smiling at us as soon as we enter his nursery. Not a shabby way to start the day!

Relaxing while mama takes some pictures

Strengthening those arms...ready to push off

Using his head to push himself up
(We've got the makings of some bad rug burn right here)

So proud of himself!

Our Little Guy: Nine Months Old

Happy 9 months to our Little Mango!!

What has Cruz been up to?

• Big News: this was another busy month for the Mango's, specifically little man. We had our first words - of course, da-da - and now we can't get him to stop...or say anything else for that matter! He has started clapping, giving high fives, shutting off the light switch, blowing kisses (his interpretation is sticking his whole fist in his mouth, pulling it out and saying muuaah!), giving kisses (wide open mouthed and slobbery...just like I like them!), going from tummy to sitting, standing up against furniture unassisted, turning in circles while he's sitting and actually "playing" with his toys and knowing how to use them. I can't tell you how crazy it is to see how much he is learning and retaining every single day...it's so amazing to watch! In addition this month, little man has been sick (again), had his first chest x-ray to make sure there were no congenital issues (none - phew) and moved to preventative antibiodics (Flovent Inhaler & Singulair). Finger crossed - since this last bout with RSV, Croup and double Ear Infection he has been feeling SO much better.  We are scheduled to get tubes in his ears later this month (after his 5th ear infection) and also to see an Allergist. On the helmet front, little man has graduated to only wearing it 8 hours a day for another month and then we should be DONE. Ahh...that would be great. Finally, he is this.close to crawling - he just hasn't figured out how to get his hands and feet to move where they are supposed to...any day now, I know it.

Looking for his puggle

Quickly growing out of his helmet

"Ok, I'm on my hands and knees like you told me...now what, mama?"

• Eating: he is still taking 6oz of formula every 3 hours and eating solids morning, afternoon and evening. He loves all of the foods he's tried and hasn't had any negative reactions to anything. At our appointment this morning, we were told we get to try table food! I'm so excited for this and to see him start trying cheese, lunch meats, bread, real fruits & veggies...you name it. Which also means we get to pick off the menu at day care as well. Our Pedi is hoping this will help him ween off his formula a bit more and bring it down to only 20oz a day.

He loves his Plum baby food

• Sleeping: he continues to impress with his great sleeping habits and has been sleeping through the night, unless he isn't feeling well. We are making sure that if he does wake up a bit earlier than normal (anytime before 6am) and we hear him, we give him a few minutes to get himself back to sleep and that works like a charm. At first it was hard because I wanted to go running to him, but I also love being able to stay warm in my bed while he figures it out for himself. Lately, when we do get up in the morning, we walk into his nursery to find him sitting up and talking to himself...or playing with Maya if she beats us in there! I love that he is always in a great mood in the morning...it helps me start my day off right.

• Developments:  we had his 9 month appointment this morning and Little Mango is right on target. He weighs 21 lbs 7oz (66%), height 29 3/4 (90%) and his head circumference 17 3/4 (44%) - which is shocking because the hubby and I both have large noggins.  We've got no teeth yet, but I have a feeling they will be there soon, little man is slobbering like a fool! I only hope it isn't as painful for him as I hear. We are also gung ho on walking and practicing every night (though I know it will come in time) - we really hope he will be walking in time for Nick's brother's wedding in a month. Is it possible? Only time will tell...

• Features: we've taken to calling him "Mini Me" - Cruz looks just like his daddy! His eyes seemed to become even bluer over the course of the past month and really pop in pictures. Speaking of pictures, we had his 9-month shoot over the weekend and even incorporated a couple family shots. I can't wait to see how they turn out. 

Little poser - Cruz LOVES the camera

Wow...hard to believe it's already been 9 months. A year is just creeping up on us!

NINE Months!

Laughter IS The Best Medicine

Little Mango was in the BEST mood yesterday...it started off with 9 month pictures in downtown Omaha yesterday morning, then his future "auntie's" wedding shower in the afternoon, followed by dinner with friends last night. He slept all the way home from dinner, but wasn't ready to sleep when we got home. Instead, we played...and laughed, and laughed and played. I adore his laugh.

My Baby Boy: Thirty-Nine Weeks Old

Happy 39 weeks, Little Mango!

And daddy had to jump in and take a quick pic with little man!

I Would Like to Thank the Academy...

...so I'm KIDDING! However, we did win "Family of the Month" at Primrose for August. When I asked our teachers to explain what this is (of course because the Hubby brought the "details" home so it was vague), they stated it is one family each month and usually based on their contributions to the school. Whelp, all we can say is thanks to the school that we've loved since Little Mango was two months old.

It's so hard to believe that he has been there for just about seven months (7 months already?) and the relationships we've made with the staff and the parents have been great...

Well, we are featured on the Family of the Month board at the school and they asked us to submit some pics and a paragraph about our family. Here is what they got...

"We are the Manganaro's - Nick (the dad), Katie (the mom), Cruz (the baby) and Maya (the Puggle). Nick & I met in college and have been together for 10 years, married for three. Nick is a professional poker player and I'm the Vice President of Marketing at Harrah's & Horseshoe Casinos in Council Bluffs.  Cruz came into our lives on November 13, 2011 and we couldn't have been blessed with a more amazing little guy. We love our very large network of family & friends, sports (baseball specifically), going to dinner, watching movies and spending time together as a family. We've also appreciated the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people through Primrose!"

Ahhh...thank you for the opportunity and for being an awesome school.

Helmet Update

Yesterday was our four month check up for little man's helmet. I can tell you that this last month we have slacked in making him wear it...between him being sick with a fever and the 100 degree temps we just couldn't do it. So it was no surprise to us that his improvement was only 1mm, however, I was happy to hear that he did have 1mm improvement because that brings us one step closer to being finished!

Overall his head is looking great (as seen here)! Tim would just like to see a bit more rounding in a few areas in the back, which we notice as well. However, we have seen amazing improvement and I would recommend the process to anyone who has a child with extreme Torticollis and/or Plagiocephaly. Trust me, it's not easy or fun, but it's so important and the time really has gone by quickly.

Obviously, as with every appointment, we were hoping this would be our last, but.....we did get some great news - little man only has to wear his helmet 8 hours a day from here on out! That is SO much easier/better than 23 hours a day. We are going to try it out at night while he's sleeping and if it impacts his sleep we will change to wearing it while he's at day care (sorry ladies) because I need all the helmet-free cuddle time I can get from our little guy.

Waiting for the scan results - we won't miss the nylon over his head!

Hamming it up - while the doc was shaving down his helmet for a better fit

Can't get over him sticking out his tongue

Ready to go!

My Baby Boy: Thirty-Eight Weeks Old

Happy 38 weeks, Little Mango!!

(Had the hubby behind me to distract him from grabbing the chalk board!)