Britta,
6 months old. Half way to a year. How on earth did we get here? Daddy mentioned recently that it seems like your baby-ness is already going away. And I completely agree. Yes, you are still a baby. And will be for a while. But you are growing and changing so much. All of a sudden you aren't just a little baby laying in a bouncer seat. You are a busy, grabby, mobile, chatty little one. It's so amazing and such a joy to watch. We love you so much, little lady!
It's been another exciting month...
You celebrated Christmas...
The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a family favorite. We are big into traditions, particularly around the holiday season. We had a great time last month and this month including you in our special celebrations. Unfortunately, a few traditions didn't work out this year - cutting down our own tree, putting up both trees, decorating (for the most part). I need to remind myself that there is time to bring those traditions back, when things aren't so chaotic. What's most important is enjoying time as a family -which we did!
On Christmas Eve Daddy had to work, so it was just the girls for most of the day. I managed to get both of you to the zoo for a quick trip, and we had a really nice time. Daddy came home around the end of nap time, and we got to enjoy some time together just the four of us. Linnea enjoyed opening your presents as well as hers. You loved taking it all in.
We went back and forth about what we wanted to do for Christmas Eve dinner. For the last several years we had the tradition of going out with just our little family. This year we had the opportunity to have dinner with Grandma and Grandpa but ultimately decided to stick with the tradition. We really enjoy that time just the four of us.
We went to Big Bowl for dinner. Funny story - on our way I found out that your godparents and our good friends, Tom and Jackie, and their son Gavin, were at the same restaurant. It was nice to see them, and wish them a Merry Christmas. You had many admirers from the tables nearby - you were staring people down, and flirting up a storm.
After having dessert at Grandma and Grandpa's we went to late church. I was a little nervous about how it would go since it was waaayy past your bedtime, but you did great. You got a little loopy and chatty. You gabbed your way through the service, and were pretty exhausted afterwards, but you managed just fine.
After sleeping in a bit Christmas morning, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for the day. We had fun spending time together, playing, and opening presents.
We celebrated Christmas with the Hommen/Carlson side on New Year's Day. You were spoiled rotten by Grammy, Grampy, your aunts and uncles, and Santa. We had a fun time!
You started sitting up...
This month you started sitting up! As you've gotten bigger and strong, we started sitting you up and sitting what you were capable of.
It's still a work in progress. You are a bit wobbly, and lean forward a lot, but you are getting better by the day. You look like such a grown up girl!
I think you really like the change in scenery that comes from sitting up. You love to lean forward and grab whatever you can. It's fun to watch you explore in this new way!
We will continue to practice, and work those muscles. You'll be a pro in no time!
You tried your first solid food...
For months, you've been grabbing for things, and showing great interest in what we were eating. At your 4 month appointment, Dr. Khan gave us the go ahead to try solid food. We had planned to wait until after your 6 month appointment, but decided early in January that that was silly - and we should just give it a go.
We started with rice cereal on January 9th. You completely surprised us by being not at all interested. We've tried a couple times, and while you'll take a few bites, you are generally far from impressed. We really don't want to push it - we know you'll eat when you're ready. We'll try more foods in the coming days...maybe you just don't like rice cereal? We are very surprised that you aren't more into it...but you'll get there.
You fell in love with bouncing...
A month or so ago we got the Johnny Jump Up out for the first time. You seemed to enjoy it right away. But this month? Oh man, baby girl. This month you fell in love HARD with bouncing in that thing.
You could spend all day bouncing! Even if you are crabby, when you start bouncing in the Johnny Jump Up, you have the biggest smiles! You are super strong, so you are able to jump really high.
It's a bit of a bummer - I fear that you'll outgrow it quickly. But we will make sure you get to enjoy it while you can!
You've grown and changed a lot too...
You had your 6 month well baby check with Dr. Khan right as you turned 6 months. You are continuing to rock the 95th-99th percentile in all of your measurements. You weighed 21 pounds, 10 ounces, and were 28" long. Big girl! What surprised me the most was when I looked back at your sister's measurements and found that you weigh the same as she did at a year. You didn't seem that big to me - you are just perfect. Right as you should be. Dr. Khan said you look awesome. She was surprised how well you support your own weight. Your legs have gotten SO strong (must be all that bouncing, huh?).
You are mostly in 9 month clothes. There are a few 6 month clothes still in the mix, but most of them are too tight and/or too short (6 month pants are totally capris on you these days). There are a few 12 month clothes I've started to pull out...and will likely pull out more soon since the 6 month clothes are dwindling. We'll probably have to buy more clothes for you than planned because the 12 month clothes we have are more summery. It's fun seeing you in the same clothes your big sister wore! I enjoy taking pictures of you in the same outfits, and seeing my beautiful babies side by side.
You are in size 3 diapers (though Grandma & Grandpa and Magna still have size 2s they are using up). We still put you in size 3 overnight diapers. They work better at night to keep you dry.
You are absolutely in love with your big sister (and vice versa). No one can get you laughing like Linnea can. She loves to make silly sounds and do goofy dances, and delights when you smile and laugh at her. Linnea often requests that you lay in bed with her, particularly around bedtime, and again in the morning. I love watching the two of you. I can already see your bond forming. What an amazing thing to watch.
Nothing within your reach is safe these days. I thought it was bad last month! Your hand control is accurate, and you are fast and strong. You'll grab at anything in front of you, pull it towards you, and almost always it will go right in your mouth. Daddy and I were surprised food hasn't been more of an interest for you because of this. We thought you'd for sure gobble it up (literally and figuratively). We'll just keep trying, I guess. And until then, I'm sure you'll just continue grabbing at our food (and everything else you can get your hands on).
You continue to be as observant and content as ever. Magna will regularly write things like - Awesome day, content and happy, loved just watching the other kids. You have your moments where you are fussy - mostly when you are hungry and/or tired, but your norm is content and chill. I'm so glad you got your daddy's disposition!
Your eating has been consistent.You usually nurse at least a bit in the morning, unless you nursed in the 4 o'clock hour or later. Then three bottles at daycare, 5 oz. each time - 9:00, 12:00, and 4:00 or thereabouts. You nurse right before bed as well.
You continue to be ready for bed by around 6:30 or 7:00. Usually down by 7:00 or 7:30. Sometimes we can stretch it a bit later if we are out for some sort of family event. We try not to do that too much, but we really appreciate your flexibility!
Like last month, I'm frustrated with night time sleep. There is just not a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it. You continue to be up usually twice a night. Again, you are still usually legitimately hungry...or at least seem to be. I've tried to settle you down before trying to nurse you, but you just aren't having it. I do still think some of it is gassiness- you wake up fairly regularly between 9:30 and 10:30, and seem to be really uncomfortable. I talked with Dr. Khan about it. She suggested trying gas drops, so we'll see if that helps. You will sometimes randomly sleep through the night, but those times are few and far between. I am thankful that when you are up you eat and (usually) go right back to sleep. That helps at least...
Naps (and everything else for that matter) still are great at Magna's. As was true with your sister, she tells us that she would have 10 of you if she could. That makes us happy and proud. We continue to "go with the flow" on the weekends. Morning naps are generally what suffers the most. Sometimes we're home and can get you down for a good nap, but a lot of times we're out at about - errands, church, etc. so you nap in the car or as needed. Afternoon naps are better because it's nap time for everyone - Linnea doesn't nap usually, but we all need rest time! It made me feel better looking back at my notes about Linnea at this age, and realizing it was the same way with her.
Britta, we are halfway to a year. I just can't believe how fast it's gone. It's cliché, but we really can't imagine our lives without you. You fill our hearts in a way we didn't know was possible. You are such an awesome baby, and we love you to bits!
We love you!
Mama (and Daddy & Linnea too)
