James is six months old!!!
month one, month two, month three, month four, month five
weight: 17 pounds, thirteen ounces
length: 28 inches
head: 18.5 inches
hair: lightening up
How in the world has it been half a year since he was born?! It seems like just yesterday he was my tiny little newborn curled up on my chest, and now he’s this big strapping man. Okay, maybe not a man, but he’s a solid baby now. Any traces of newborn characteristics have completely vanished.e
He still likes to cuddle, which is nice. I love holding him but it’s almost impossible to get in the kind of snuggling we’d both like. If I let him sleep on me, he’s probably take two two-hour naps a day. Since I can’t be out of commission for four hours every day, he takes several cat naps. I’d love for him to get some longer nap stretches in his crib, but it hasn’t clicked for him yet.
To add onto the no-sleeping, he’s still waking several times a night. I was really hoping that as he adjusted to teething his sleep would get better, but nope. I’m wiped out. I feel terrible for him but OMG. I am soooooooo tired, and I have to believe he is, too. Of course, you’d never know it because tired or not, the boy is always happy.
Someone asked me if he really is as happy as he looks, and the answer is yes. Even with the poor sleep lately, he’s still the easiest, jolliest baby I’ve ever encountered. We all just adore him. Even Rigby can’t get enough of him.
I’m afraid the next six months will go even faster than the first six. I’m in no hurry for him to crawl, pull to stand, walk, etc. It will be great when he does, but I am enjoying this current age so much.
Kristen says:
James is absolutely gorgeous. What a happy, beautiful boy. Also, in the very first pic where he’s grinning on the chair, he looks like Annie! And I sympathize with you about the sleep issue. My son turned four years old last week and he still wakes once a night (hence why I’m posting this at 3:30 am ET!). At James’s age, he was still waking every two hours. No rhyme or reason, he’s just been a horrendous sleeper since birth. It’s exhausting for sure. Wishing you many peppermint mochas so at least you can festively quell the exhaustion.
Sheila says:
What a delicious boy! Not to eat, I mean, but that smile! It’s contagious!
Leah says:
Always happy and seriously beautiful. Fun to see that one non-smiling shot–although it’s wonderful he’s so smiley–just to see how gorgeous his eyes are.
Kathryn says:
Happy 1st 6 months to James and all of you!! I love this age…it’s my favorite!
Steph says:
Oh, yes, I agree. Six to nine months are my most very favorite time. Happy Half-Birthday, Precious James!
Jill says:
He is such a sweet sweet baby. I enjoy all of the pics you post. He is practically edible he is so sweet!
shannon says:
Such a handsome little guy!
Another Amy says:
I agree You and Mike certainly make beautiful babies!
Claire says:
I can. Not. Believe. It. Where did that 6 months go!!?
Missy says:
He sounds SO much like my LO with the sleep thing! Only I’m not sure if she isn’t sleeping cuz of teething cuz she has NO TEETH at all, at 7 months. But she is up a couple times a night and usually take 3-4 30-45 minute naps during the day, unless she’s in her carseat. Then sometimes she’ll sleep longer:) I SO feel you. And I have a 6 and 10 year old to get out the door every morning for school and to cart around to activities every evening… Exhausted doesn’t even begin to cover it. Praying that it gets better for both of us REAL soon!
Jessica Stringer says:
He sounds just like me little guy! He has yet to sleep the entire night and he’ll be 11 months on the 10th. He is waking anywhere from 2-5 times a night. He’s already got 8 teeth and I think he’s working on 9 & 10. He will also take long naps on mommy during the day but if I put him in his crib, he’s up in 20-30 minutes. I’m exhausted and he’s just the happiest little thing there is! I would love to get some good sleep, but I really wouldn’t want to change anything about my little guy. He’s the best baby!
Meg says:
I can’t believe it’s been six months! I remember when we were all sitting here with bated breath waiting for news. What a wonderful boy!
D says:
Have you tried any kind of cradle swing? My son would NOT nap in a crib, especially when he was teething or his ears hurt (always went along with teething). We got a swing and he had his first good nap in MONTHS. Here is a link to the one we have. http://www.toysrus.com/buy/babies-r-us-exclusives/activity/fisher-price-cradle-swing-ocean-wonders-r9951-3799972. There are cheaper versions, or you can get one more reasonably priced on EBay. Good luck!
Heather says:
Oh, I have something similar, but never thought to try him in that for nap time. I will attempt it today! Thanks for the idea!
Jan says:
Oh, those beautiful eyes! Do I see a hint of red in his hair coming through? Such a happy smile all the time! I can see why you all adore him!
Mary Brock says:
Heather, what has happened to your poor chair?
Meghan says:
She has two children and a dog lol. No, I used to have a couch of the same material and it shows if you go against the grain (like if you rub it to the left instead of the right) so it looks messed up but it isn’t. They are also super soft.
Heather says:
Our sofa is the same way!
Mary Brock says:
I meant the cushion, not the material. It used to sit up more when you took pics of Annie!! The lovely things kids do to our furniture!!
TonyaM says:
This boy is so happy that it’s contagious. He makes me smile every time I see a picture of him. My sympathies on the sleep issues. I’ll keep to myself how old mine were before they slept through the night.
Laura says:
My two little ones are practically the same age as yours — my daughter turned 4 in September and my little guy is 11 months old. And their personalities seem similar too — my daughter is energetic and highly imaginative, while the little guy is happy & mellow. Perhaps having an excitable older sister mellows you out?
James is absolutely gorgeous. He is so photogenic — that’s a Gerber baby if I’ve ever seen one. His eyes are amazing!
Jana says:
What a gorgeous baby!! I love his monthly updates.
Megan says:
Such beautiful photos! His skin is so smooth and soft. Can I borrow him???
I see a lot of Annabel in the second photo down, and Maddie in the third and fourth ones.
Hope says:
Ok, that 4th picture did me in. He is so freaking cute.
Christie says:
He is freaking adorable! Honestly, he is a wonderful mix of both Maddie and Annie – I can see many similarities in his face that remind me of both your girls. You Spohrs make beautiful children :^)
Pattie says:
He is such a beautiful, happy, healthy little boy. It really is hard to believe he’s already six months old. Happy half-year, James!
Kathy Shipstad says:
I am so glad you get the experience of having a son. Mine son is 19 and I truly do enjoy him – he makes me laugh. He is my joy! James is definitely model material. Enjoy! It goes soooo fast.
Rachel says:
He is such a beautiful combination of Maddie and Annie. They are both just gorgeous children, and I am so happy to see the Maddie resemblance in there. I read your blog often but rarely comment. Just one of the many who are wishing you happiness from afar, crying along with your sadness, and are so proud of the way you and Mike have built your family in spite of so much heartache and struggle. Sharing that struggle takes a lot of courage, but I think you have helped so many people along the way.
Jeanie says:
He is the most beautiful baby! Does he ever get mistaken for a girl? I ask because 50 years ago my son was also a gorgeous baby and people always referred to him as she. A little irritating, but understandable.
mary ann says:
James is such a gorgeous baby! My Godson was just like him, happy and smiling all the time when he was a baby. I always wondered how long it took you to get such great shots of your kids – you have such an eye for photography. Do you have any tips to share?
Skye says:
I have loved watching all your kids grow with these awesome monthly photo shoots! Can’t believe how fast time goes by. Happy half birthday, James!
Lanie says:
Happy 6 months to sweet baby James and his parents! It does seem like 6 months went really fast. Wishing you all more sleep! xo
Denise says:
He is an absolutely beautiful baby!! Gorgeous!! As are all your children!
VDog says:
He is the most delicious EVER.
Amber says:
Holy crap, he is WAY too cute for his own good!!! Such a beautiful smile and I want to squish those chunky little thighs!
Sarah says:
You guys make beautiful babies!! If you’re still breastfeeding, you might think about cosleeping…he’d probably sleep better, but if not all you’d have to do is latch him on then you’d both go back to sleep. My son is very similar to yours in terms of napping and nighttime awakenings (he’s 10 mos) and I am a single mom – I feel very well-rested for the most part. As long as it’s done safely, it can be awesome!! Check out Dr. James McKenna’s book on cosleeping (very quick read – and he’s a notre dame guy, bigwig with the SIDS task force) and also Dr. Sears has great info. Just a suggestion!
Paula says:
I would totally buckle and let him sleep with me for two hours a day…just to get some energy if I could. It sucks being so tired. I’m running on empty most days right now and my youngest is 15 and has nothing to do with it.
Stephanie says:
I check your blog from time to time to see your beautiful children and what you’ve been up to. I love that you still use Maddie’s Monster for the photos. It makes me smile.
All the best,
Stephanie (from CurlyQ Cuties)