Julia || 6 Months

Sweet Baby Girl,

Where to even begin? It's so cliche, but I can't even wrap my mind around the idea that you are already six months old. A whole half year. It's gone so fast. Too fast. I'm tearing up just thinking about how quickly the time just slips through our fingers.

If we're being honest, this month was kind of a rough one for us all. I firmly believe you're teething, yet your teeth have zero interest in actually breaking through. You've been much more fussy than you've ever been, and often times seemed to have been uncomfortable or in pain. You couldn't escape a nasty cold your brother so kindly shared with you, so runny noses and icky coughs have been lingering.

We finally bit the bullet and started a little sleep training. The first week was rough (like reeeeally rough), and you were less than thrilled with the idea of going to bed around 7:00. However, after some work with the Ferber method, it rarely takes you longer than 5-15 minutes of crying and you're out. Generally, you'll sleep for 6-7 hours before you're up and ready for a quick nursing session. Six to seven hours sounds great, until it's realized that means it's still only about 1:30AM. After the early morning session you typically sleep till about 6:30. I'm patiently waiting for the day/night that you sleep right on through. Your naps continue to be all over the place, and rarely will you nap for more than a 45 minute stretch.

This is the first month we've been able to exclusively nurse, and I can't even express how much this thrills me! You tend to want to eat every 2-3 hours. We also introduced rice cereal, pureed carrots, and pureed peas this month. All of which you seemed eager to try. You'll eat the rice and peas, but the carrots you absolutely devour. I have a sneaky suspicion you're going to be my good eater.

You are rolling and pivoting like a pro. If I place you on your play mat you immediately flip to your tummy. You love reaching for your toys, and if you can get your hands on something (anything!) it immediately goes in to your mouth. You are doing mini push-ups and propping yourself up to see the world around you. We're still working on the whole sitting business. You're not much good at it, and don't seem too terribly interested in getting that skill mastered.

If you're placed in your bouncy/exersaucer thing you'll hang out for a handful of minutes, but it's by no means your favorite place to play.

Twinkle Twinkle is your jam, and on more than one occasion I've had to sing it over and over again to keep you calm.

Thankfully you're getting better about being in the car seat. You still object when initially placed in the seat, but typically you settle in and just enjoy the ride.

Marcus is your best buddy. He can make you smile and laugh like no one else. When you hear his voice you are immediately drawn to him. I love how much you love him, and he you.

Your smile is the best. When your smile is real big your get the cutest crinkle in your nose.

Sometimes, if we're really lucky, your smile will give way to that adorable little dimple that tends to hide. Your giggle is infectious, and is the sweetest sound around. When your dad comes home from work you immediately light up when you see him. My heart melts every time.

Little Dolly, you're pretty amazing. It's crazy to think you've been here six short months, yet it feels like you've been apart of our family forever. Thank you for being ours.

Happy Half Birthday, Peanut!

I love you to the moon and back. Twice.

Love,
Mommy

Stats
Height:: 27 inches (90th percentile)
Weight:: 14.05 pounds (25th percentile) - you're long and lean, little lady!
Teeth:: None
Clothes:: 6-9 month
Diapers:: Pampers Size 2
Nicknames: Jules (though Scott insist I not call her that - sorry, it's happening), Dolly, Peanut

Just for fun, a little side-by-side of both babes at 6 months:

Marcus was 28 inches long and 21 pounds (7 pounds more than Julia), and he already had two teeth!