Happy half year my big little girl!
I know everymonth I can’t believe how big you are and how much cool stuff you’ve learned to do, but really. Watching you grow up and enjoying each day is truly amazing. You learn so many cool things and the look of surprise and pride on your face when you figure it out, well, it’s something truly special.
We celebrated last night with some fireworks in Fullerton. It still sounds weird for me to say that, since I grew up in a different Fullerton, but either way, we went to Fullerton Elementary School and they had a very impressive fireworks display for your 1/2 birthday. Oh wait. It wasn’t for YOUR birthday, it was for the 4th of July, America’s 233rd birthday. You had a BLAST. I had my “escape route” planned with you. Turns out your big sister was the one who needed an escape route. You watched the fireworks with such intent. The bright colors and loud pops were fun, not scary. I hope you feel the same way next year!
What amazing things have you learned this month? Last month I said you were starting to sit for a few seconds here and there. The next day you amazed me by sitting for 5 minutes at the park! Wow! Now you are sitting like a champ. Sure you fall over here and there when you try to reach for something that is out of your reach, but you no longer loose the ability to sit up and being to lean over. You weren’t a fan of putting your mouth on your toes and not being able to get back up. Don’t get me wrong, you love to suck on your toes, but you prefer to be in control of when, how, and for how long.
Your exersaucer and “play station” are your favorites at the moment, thou you do enjoy brief moments in the bouncer or swing. You don’t get those every day, since they aren’t in the main living level of the house, but you will happily chill in the bouncer while I do laundry or get some orders together to ship. You’ll even sometimes hang out in the swing so I can shower! You can sit in that saucer or in front of your play station for 30 minutes easily. As long as you’re in a good mood of course! You have so much to explore there and so many things to stick in your mouth. It’s pure bliss for a 6 month old.
You now have much better control of your hands. You love to reach for things and put them in your mouth. You are now pretty good at reaching out to the side when you are sitting, and then sitting back up and putting the toy in your mouth. Today you managed to stretch your arms straight and grab the toys hanging from your swing. You were pretty proud of yourself, sitting there hanging on to the toys!
Your next big step is that sometimes, when I try to sit you down to play, you decide that you will NOT bend your legs and that you will stand and hold on to the toy. You like it for a few seconds, then your fingertips turn white from hanging on so hard. I am terrified that you have learned about this standing thing so soon. In other good news, you now enjoy spending time on your tummy for a few minutes. You still have no intrest in fully rolling over, but rolling from side to side is fun when you’re on your back. You’ll figure it out eventually. I have this feeling you’ll be walking before you roll over, but it’s ok. I’m not going to worry about it. You’ll do it when you are ready.
Your weight seems to have stabilized since you learned how to sit up. We haven’t been in for your 6 month well visit yet, but according to our scale you’re still 16 lbs. It’s pretty common for breastfed babies to chunk up at first and plateau later, so I am sure there will be no issues when we do go get you checked out. We’re STILL waiting for that tooth, so I have given up on looking for it. I’m sure that one day I’ll wake up and there will be a tooth in your mouth. That’s ok. I’m not going to worry about it until it shows up. The drool thing is getting old, but I guess I’m rather used to it by now! So, your tooth can come in when it wants. I’m not going to keep looking for it!
The big news this month is that I figured out the reason for all of your spit up. You, my child, have an allergy or intolerance to dairy foods. We haven’t bothered with allergy testing and such to see exactly what it is, because at this point, it doesn’t much matter. I have cut out dairy from my diet, and you now spit up very little. That is of course, unless I just HAVE to have that piece of cheese or something. Then? Then the next day you are a fountain of spit up. The good news is that you don’t seem to care either way. It doesn’t bother you that you are spitting up all over the place. It just bothers those around you. I’m trying to be good on this modified vegan diet. I am learning that I like a lot of the healthier substitutions. Though, having ricotta in the house to make lasagna for someone else? That was torture.
Your sister also started pre-school this month. This means that two days a week it is just you and me. You miss your sister, but you love having the quiet mommy/Bekah time. It’s pretty special. Enjoy it while it lasts! Your sister has an amazing ability to calm you down and make you laugh. The two of your are hilarious to watch and listen to from afar. I am so thankful that you two love each other so much. I know I say that every month, but truly, it’s amazing and wonderful. Ashleigh’s one complaint – You won’t stop pulling her hair. She wants her hair cut short like mine so that you won’t yank on it. If you could start yanking on other things instead of her hair, she’d REALLY appreciate it.
Now we’re off to the beach to have some fun in the sun. I know you’ll have a blast. I can’t wait to see your reaction to the ocean and the sand. We need some family time to enjoy you and your sister. I can’t wait, I hope you have a blast!
Happy half year kiddo!
Lots of love and tickles,
Mommy