To my sweet baby boy,
Happy half birthday to you! Wow, I cannot believe how quickly the previous 6 months have gone. I will save most of my sappy recollections of the day you were born for your first full year birthday, but today, I just want to say how incredibly happy I am that God put you in my life. The past 6 months have been a whirlwind. Honestly, having 2 kids is much more difficult than I was prepared for, but I wouldn't change a single thing. We tried for so long to give Kate a sibling and now I know why God made us wait, it was clearly because he was perfecting you. You are truly the happiest and most content baby I have ever seen. The only time you ever cry is when you are tired or hungry, which is a good thing since Mommy and Daddy have taken a little longer to adjust to the change than perhaps we expected.
Mommy's Favorite Times: I can always count on bath time for some good giggles from both of my babies. I love how you know when I am starting the bath water and you kick your little legs as hard as you can out of excitement. You just love your big sister, so bath time with her is definitely one of the highlights of your day...and mine too ;) After bath, bottle and books comes snuggle time! I love to get you all swaddled up, snug as a bug, and then rock you until you either fall asleep or grunt enough to let me know you are ready to get in your bed. I always kiss your little cheek, lay you down, put my hand on your little chest and say 'Good Night Sweet Boy'. I think you know this routine because as soon as I tell you good night, you turn your little head and drift off sleep. I leave your room every night with a big grin on face :)
Milestones: You have been right on target for most of your milestones. I know you are fully aware when you are doing something new because for the first few days after your accomplishment, you will practice it non-stop! First was your little grin. Once you learned how to smile, your personality started to shine. Daddy and I call you 'Cheeseball' because we just look at you with a smile and you practice that toothless grin of yours. Then came your little coo's and giggles. You love to 'talk' to Mommy. You are too big to sit this way now, but you loved when I would bend my knees, lay you on my thighs and talk to you. You would listen so carefully and then 'talk' back to me; too precious for words. I absolutely love your laugh, I can't get enough of it. I'm not sure why, but you love to be startled...apparently it is hilarious! Kate can make you laugh at any given moment - I am amazed at how connected you two are (she loves to say 'gitchi gitchi goo' and tickle you...I honestly have no idea where she got this as I don't think I have ever said it, but you think it is very funny!). Oh and then came the raspberries. You blow raspberries when you are happy, when you are sad, when you are tired and even when you are eating (quite messy!). I wasn't sure if you were ever going to roll over; you hate tummy time and had no interest in partaking in any activity that involved such. However, you finally rolled over on June 27...just a few days ago! You actually started sitting up on your own before you rolled over, amazing! I am very proud of your milestones and look forward to the many more we will watch you achieve in the years to come.
Sleeping Habits: You have been a good sleeper from day 1. The entire first week, I had to wake you for feedings, even at night. Your nights progressively got longer and at 8 weeks you were sleeping 8 hour nights! By week 12 (when Mommy went back to work), you increased your nightly sleep to 10 hours! I admit that I am a bit obsessed (some say too much) with your schedule, but my payoff is a good night sleep for the entire family (well, for me and you..Daddy and Kate always sleep good). You take 3 naps a day, usually 1.5 to 2 hours each and then go to bed between 8 and 8:30, waking up at 6:30 every morning. You have to be swaddled very tightly at nap/bed time (the miracle blanket is your best friend) and you really like to have your paci.
Eating: You nursed exclusively for the first 4.5 months. I supplemented some formula for a month and then you started exclusively on formula around 5.5 months. So far, you have had rice cereal, carrots and peas. You are still trying to figure this whole spoon thing out, but you seem to like the taste of peas the best so far (oddly enough). I usually have to make the spoon do fun things to get you to open your mouth (the airplane trick only worked for a few days, so now we have Peter Cotton Tail hopping down the bunny trail). Right now, you eat 5 bottles a day, 7 ounces each and have a little ‘solid’ with your 4th bottle.
Miscellaneous facts: You love to hold things, preferably a blanket or a finger. You love your big sister; she is a very funny and entertaining girl. You often show the same emotions as Kate; if she is laughing so are you, if she cries, so do you. You giggle uncontrollably when you are startled. You pucker up and start to cry when someone raises their voice. Your favorite toy is clearly your vtech ball that lights up and moves. You like to bounce in the frog jumper. You are a bit of a Mommy's boy and sometimes get sad when I walk out of the room. You aren't a big fan of being held and rocked. You love to be tickled on your belly.
My sweet little Monkey, I wouldn't change a single thing about you. You are such a blessing to our life. We have enjoyed the last 6 months more than words can describe and look forward to what the future holds for you!
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| Had to add a few tiny pictures |
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| First bottle. Look how tiny! |
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