6 Months

Dear Pupules,
I have to admit, writing this post is an eensy bit hard for me. Because this means that you are whole half year old! When did that happen? How is possible that you have been with us that long? I know every parent says this, but time has just gone by way too fast since you came into our lives. These last six months have been some of our most joyous, and you have been a major part of that.

This month, you have gotten even more active and fun. You are constantly rolling around everywhere. You absolutely love exploring, and grab anything within reach. Sometimes I yearn for the days when I could just set you down and know that you wouldn't get into anything, but you more than make up for it with all the fun and entertainment that comes with your increased mobility. Take today, for instance: I set you down to play on the ground. I looked away for literally no more than 30 seconds, and you were over on the opposite side of the room, reaching into the bookshelf. You played there contentedly for a while while I laughed at how tasty you seemed to find particleboard. Something I don't find quite as entertaining is your fascination with various cords. You are constantly grabbing power cords and, in particular, the bright red ethernet cord. I feel bad always taking it away from you, but I don't want you gnawing on it for reasons that will one day become obvious to you. Instead, I've tried substituting with some success a play stethoscope that has a nice long blue cord.

It has been so fun to watch you learn so many new things this month. You have started to really love copying whatever you daddy and I do. Be it drinking out of a cup or opening a door with keys, you love being our little shadow, and we love having you there. You absolutely adore jumping up and down and would love to do it all the livelong day; despite my aversion to acquiring "stuff," we may break down and get you one of those exersaucer things. You've also started to develop your arm strength a bit more and will manage to hold yourself upright for a few moments. You've also started scooching ever so slightly; heaven help us when you start to crawl.

Along with this increased activity is increased distraction while nursing. It's gotten to the point where I really can't feed you unless you're swaddled (which, fortunately, you still love). You are just so interested in everything and especially everyone around you. You are constantly smiling, cooing, and "chatting" at those around you. Yesterday, you and I went downtown on the Metro to see Daddy and go to a museum., and at least 5 people commented on how you were such a happy and friendly baby. Several of these comments I just overheard, so my mommy bias only accounts for part of this.

I was a little sad today when I realized you had outgrown some of your aforable little clothes. Granted, they were 3-month outfits, but still! Evidently that growth spurt has really been happening.

Speaking of growth spurting and on the not-so-bright side, your sleeping has been an absolute disaster this month. Lucky us, you started sleeping like a little angel through the night at about a month old. This continued, thank heavens, all the way through our Africa trip. And then we got back. At which point you decided that you don't like to sleep at night anymore. I'm not sure why, exactly, this is, but I'm not so much a fan of this decision. The last few days, we've tried just not feeding you in the middle of the night and simply rocking you back to sleep. That's all fine and good, but your body still hasn't adjusted to just not waking up at those times. It probably doesn't help things that you are decidedly teething, which makes both of us sad. Still, it would be nice if you could start sleeping again, little buddy. Mommy is much more pleasant when she's well-rested.

On the subject of increased food intake, in honor of your 6-months of life, we started offering you some solids on Saturday. We were going to wait until the official 6-month date, but, well, your grandparents wanted to be here and Saturday was just easier for all of us and I figured 3 days didn't make a whole ton of difference. In any case, you haven't really eaten enough for it to matter, anyway. It was extraordinarily cute watching you grab a soft sweet potato slice and try to push it into your little mouth. We're generally doing baby-led weaning, although I did help you out a little by putting a little bit of sweet potato or banana on my finger and letting you pull it into your mouth. You seemed to like both okay, although you haven't eaten very much (and it appears that what little you have consumed has come back out in the exponentially greater quantities of spit up). It will be fun seeing you try new things. You've definitely become more interested in copying what we do, and we can't wait to experience the world through your eyes.

You've always loved music, from the time you were itty bitty, but you've come to appreciate it all the more now. You get so excited when you hear music on the radio, and you unfailingly give me this huge smile when I start to sing you a song (your current favorites are "I Am A Child of God," "I Wonder When He Comes Again," and "Accidentally in Love." ha.). You particularly enjoy sitting in your little bouncy seat in the kitchen while I cook and sing along with the iPod. I especially love that when you like a particular song (or anything else, for that matter) you'll start wiggling your legs in delight, then pause to listen or look, and wiggle again - it's as though you're saying, "Hey, Mom! I like that! Keep going!"

Tiny, there have just been so many things this month that make my heart swell with love and gratitude for you. I know every mom says it, but your dad and I just didn't realize it was possible to love a little person this much. It's a little bittersweet, seeing you grow up; I was a little nostalgic the morning of the day we let you try some solids as I realized that you would, for the first time, taste something other than breast milk. It tugged at my heartstrings last night as we tried (out of a tiny bit of desperation) moving you into the other room see if maybe that would help you sleep better, in case our rustling was waking you up at night (it didn't, in case you were wondering). It was the very first time that you hadn't slept in your little bed right at my side, the first time that I hadn't peeked at your sweet little face right before falling asleep.

But then, as I feel these sad little tugs, I grin as I think of the joy that lights up both of our faces when I walk in the door from school. I smile as I think that it is me who you want to hug when you are sad or tired. I am humbled as I remember how happy you are when I come home, and how you immediately get sad if I leave the room right then to go wash my hands, even if you were perfectly content before I arrived. Though we were sad last night as you were in the other room, your dad and I were so thankful as we remembered that our family can be together, forever. I feel calm joy and gratitude as I realize that I love you more now than I ever thought possible on the day you were born. And you know what? I know you love me more, too.

love,
mama

**I promise, I'll update with pictures soon. I get some credit for actually getting the letter posted ON his 6-month, right?

A Week Shy of 6 Months Stats:
Length: 27" (75th percentile)
Weight: 14 lbs 10 oz (although you woke up right before so I hadn't fed you...we weighed you again after and you were 14 lbs. 15 oz...either way, it is about 15th percentile)