month six
I know what you think I'm going to say. "I can't believe it's 6 months blah blah." Well, I can't but what I really want to say is that this month has be jam-packed. This letter could take days to write but unfortunately Mama just has a little time this morning. It's been an awfully busy month for everyone.
Since it's Sunday, I'll have to update your stats after Daddy takes you to the pediatrician tomorrow. But you and I were there on Thursday. It was your first legitimately sick baby appointment. I'm not sure how long you are since they don't measure that when you're sick but you were 17 lb 4 oz. My guess at your length? 27 inches. We'll see. Ok, so this was about as far as I got on Sunday... I can now tell you (as I'm late finishing this letter) that you had gained 2 ounces by your Monday appointment and I was only off by 1/4" on your length (26.75"). You're in the 78th percentile for weight and 84th for length.
So why were we at the pedi on Thursday? You had fever off and on (mostly on) all week. On Wednesday night, it was just you and me--Daddy was in Ft. Worth. You woke up around 10:45 and were unhappy and shaking. You seemed a little cold and I tried to warm you up. I took your temperature and confirmed that it was low. I called Daddy and was just scared for you. About 30 minutes later you threw up and then seemed better. I made an appointment for you for the next morning and found out you had a urinary tract infection. I was glad it was something relatively easy to fix, and you're now on the mend. You have been a cranky baby, though. But I can't blame you.
On to happier things. You went to your first July 4th party (held here at our house). You looked very cute and patriotic in a little red, white, and blue floral dress. You had a good time with everyone. You also attended your first family reunion. Now, these reunions are a big deal and this year we hosted it. The next time our branch hosts it, I hope you're old enough to run the show because it is a lot of hard work. Mama was exhausted. But again, everyone was very excited to meet you (or see you again). You hung out with some of your cousins and were exhausted. I'd never seen you so tired. The last big event was your Great Uncle Bob's funeral (actually, that was one day past your 6-month mark and is also the reason I'm writing this late). You again got to meet more family members and you helped make a sad time a little less so. Chicken, I wish you could have known him. He was a great man and whenever I picture him I don't have recent images of him when he was so sick. I see him about 15 years ago, a little younger, and laughing. I think that says a lot about a person. I hope you grow up to be the kind of woman who people think of that way.
Ok, so seriously. On to happier things. In addition to having the UTI this last week, you had another interesting health issue. You cut not only your first but also your second tooth. Crazy! I can't say for sure, but it doesn't seem like they bothered you much. Hopefully tooth number 3 will come without any other illness so we'll know for sure. They're both just barely peeking out so your grin is still gummy. I can't believe it's soon going to include teeth. That makes you seem so grown up.
You also seem grown up because I cut your hair for the first time this month. It's already growing out some so it doesn't look as weird to me anymore. I just couldn't leave you with that mullet any longer. I see pictures of other people's daughters and some of them have hair that looks just awful. I wonder why no one tells them that. And I didn't want to be those people.
You still don't sleep through the night very often. I sure wish that would change. We're working on it. BUT! When you turned 5 months old, we moved you from the co-sleeper upstairs to your crib in your room downstairs. It was hard for me the first few nights but I think we've all adjusted to it now. We had been trying to put you down for the night without a pacifier but since you've gotten sick, we've given in. You're awfully sad in the evenings right now.
Speaking of, you have recently discovered anger and frustration. Sometimes it's actually kind of cute. One of the things we got at your last doctor's visit mentioned that around now we may start seeing dramatic mood swings. I think you're ahead of the curve on that one. The good thing, though, is that you are somewhat easily distracted when mad. And also? Maybe this means you'll end up with red hair afterall.
You got a few new toys this month. You're still enjoying the exersaucer. You sometimes like the high chair and sometimes REALLY DON'T. You got a Johnny Jumper and you like sitting in it and spinning but have only jumped a few times. Since you like kicking so much, I thought you'd like jumping. We'll see if you catch on. And I got you a tummy time mat. You really don't mind tummy time quite so much when on it. We make you roll over from front to back before picking you up. You're getting a little better at that but don't roll back to front hardly ever. You do, however, sit up on your own now. You're a little shaky sometimes but you suddenly just got quite good at it. That makes you feel pretty grown up, too. You just change so quickly. Oh, and you now use your wrist. I think you first started using your shoulder joint, then elbow, then wrist (over the last 6 months). It's funny because you sometimes just sit there and twist it like you're revving a motorcycle.
And eating. Now, you've always been a good eater and I've been grateful for that. We decided a few weeks ago, however, to see what you'd do with rice cereal. It's been challenging. Some days you're almost close to being somewhat good at not spitting too much of it out and some days you're the worst eater ever. Like I think you'll drink nothing but smoothies the rest of your life. Out of a bottle. Given all the craziness lately, we haven't been the best at trying solids everyday. And practice makes perfect so I guess Daddy and I better buckle down. When you take a bottle now, though, you often at least try to hold it. Some days you do better than others at that, too. I'm very much looking forward to that skill. It will make things easier on me since you still seem to eat so frequently. You're also 100% on formula now. I made it 5 1/2 months which was pretty close to my 6 month goal. I think we're both happier for it, and I think it was the best decision. I didn't love breastfeeding like some mothers do but I was glad to do what I could to give you a good start.
Well, that's about all I can think of right now. Oh! Except that we got your passport on Saturday--or the paperwork submitted anyway. In a few weeks you will be free to move about the world. But before then, we have to make it through this next month, which is going to be a toughie. I've really enjoyed our first 6 months together and I know the next 6 are going to be even more exciting. Now, Chicken. Do me a favor and sleep till 7:00 tomorrow morning, will ya?
Comments
I ♥ that elbow dimple!
cph