Six

Tadpole,

This week you turned six months old. Six months! Already! How did that happen?

Daddy and I took you to your six-month appointment.  There, I once again won our monthly bet regarding your weight by correctly suggesting that you weighed 18 lb. 1 oz.  Daddy guessed 18 lb. 2 oz.  You actually weigh 18 lb, 1.5 oz.  Unfortunately for Daddy, we played by the Price is Right rules. Dr. S says you're tall for your age, but that your weight is appropriate for both your weight and your height.  She was pleased to see you standing when she walked into the examination room (with Daddy's help, of course) and was equally satisfied to see you wave, sing a bit, and 'talk'.  We talked about your sleep patterns and eating habits.  I expressed my concerns that you do not roll around quite yet. Dr. S. told me I'm silly and says you're doing just perfectly.

Your fifth month was an exciting one. Not only did you get to celebrate your first Thanksgiving (three times none-the-less!), but your daily life is busy too.  You and I go for walks almost every morning.  You like to look at the trees and listen to me sing as I carry you in my kanga pack in front of me.  It is a wonderful way to start the day.  It gets us both some fresh air and allows me to get my body moving.

You now understand when we tell you it is time to go to school.  You get excited to go and seem to truly love Ms. P, Ms. A, and Ms. E.  They treat you with so much kindness and really seem to be in tune with your needs.

This month you also started waving.  Daddy and I were so excited the first time we saw you do it.  We think you learned it from your friend, C. We melt each time you wave to us too.  You know this and now laugh at our reactions.

You also eat food in addition to Mama's milk.  Thus far, you have had rice cereal, oatmeal, avocado, bread, and mashed potatoes. I may have snuck you some whipped cream on Thanksgiving, too.  You eat like a champ (much like your parents).  Ms. P even says that it looks like you have been eating for months.  You seem eager to try new things, love your high chair, and think that you're pretty cool because you get to eat like the rest of us.

You're also finally into playing.  You love a good old-fashioned game of peek-a-boo, but are content to play by yourself on your activity mat too.  You think rattles are the bomb and are willing to make anything work as a toy. In fact, Cousin T gave you an empty water bottle a few days ago and you were quite pleased with it.

Of course, you continue to love to sing and for others to sing to you.  Sometimes you sing with the radio. At other times, you will sing a cappella. While you still love 'Wheels On the Bus', you now have an extreme fondness of 'Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee'. Reading is another activity you continue to adore.  While Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? reigns supreme, you are open to almost any book.  We seem to read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Goodnight Moon quite often. You even help to turn the pages.

Aunt K came to stay with us for a few days around Thanksgiving. You continue to have her wrapped around your finger, which is awesome.  You seem to have won the affections of pretty much everyone else too. Grandpa and Nana adore you, as does Aunt B. The 'Block Watch' guys love it when you come to visit and offer you a beverage each time you are around. You engage with each of these people and seem to enjoy being around others.

While 9.8 times out of 10 you are a complete love bug, when you are done you are done (another quality inherited from Mama, I suspect). You are fiercely stubborn when you want to be and are not afraid to express them same.  Typically, you are most 'done' if you will, when you are tired.  You express this, typically, by making a silly growly noise.  The good news is that this does not typically last long, and, after a short catnap, you are as a good as new.

Unfortunately, we had another side-sewer debacle this month.  It resulted in Daddy having to re-do a portion of our basement and the plumbing crew tearing up our front yard.  The whole thing was unexpected and a bit stressful.  Not only were you completely awesome when we had to meet with various inspectors, etc., but you were a welcomed distraction from the situation as well.

This afternoon, we started to decorate the house for the holidays.  Daddy lifted you up and had you put the star on our tree. It was no less than awesome.  You seem excited about the new things to look at around our house.  I cannot wait for a clear night during which we can walk around the neighborhood and look at everyone's Christmas lights.  I know that you will love them.  After all, you are much like your Mama in that you like almost anything that sparkles.  Daddy thinks it might be fun to take you to see 'Zoo Lights' too.  We cannot wait to spend the holiday season with you.

We love you and are so grateful to have the honor of being your parents.

Things are exactly as we imagined they always could be.

Love,
Mama