.5 years

And just like that.. a half of a year is gone. My sweet sweet precious girl. I think i'm still in shock that I am raising a daughter. There are times where I think of you as a boy because that is what I'm most used to, but then I mentally correct myself and get all excited that I do in fact have a little girl! When Colter turned 6 months, I felt like he was so old. I'm not sure why, but you still seem like a little lady to me. Definitely not a newborn anymore, but still a snuggly, sweet baby.

                                              

I remember someone telling me that something magically happens at 6 months that makes you forget all the crazy newborn months, and makes you want to have another baby. I'm definitely not there yet, but 6 months is truly one of my favorite ages. You are so alive to the world. You've always been one who seeks out connections with others, and this is only growing. You are constantly looking around the room trying to make eye contact. You've added quite a few noises to your repertoire of attention seeking.. some of them are hard to believe they come from you.. they are like shrieks and growls.



Because I am so divided in my time between two kids, i've struggled off and on with feeling guilty that I haven't been able to spend as much time working on your "skills" as I did with Colter. Have no fear though.. you don't need me. You started sitting up at about 5 1/2 months.. first pretty wobbly & constantly falling over, and then all of a sudden you got so steady! I still have to put a pillow behind you for those times when you reach too far for a toy or try to turn around and see brother.

                                                 

                              

I don't know how much you weigh, but I'd guess it's around 17-18 lb.

                                   

You roll both ways and push up really high.. there's part of me that's excited for you to start crawling, but then there's the other part of me that knows how crazy it will get with two mobile kiddos going in different directions.

                                    

You are turning out to be a pacifier baby, which I know i'll regret later when it's time to take it away. You are out of the swaddle at night and you love to snuggle up on your side with your lamb in your face, pacifier in, and sleep sack on. You are not the best sleeper.. i've been putting off sleep training at night, but your 6 month appt is right around the corner and I know Dr. Reese is going to give me a talkin to. You go to bed easily around 6:30/7, and then you're up usually twice around 12:30 and 3:30. You used to sleep in really late...almost until 9:30, well around 5 months you randomly decided to move that wake up time to 6:30. Lately you've been getting up earlier than your brother which is crazy. Naps aren't that great either. When you're in your pack & play or ergo, you still nap only 30 minutes at a time. Our little secret is that i'm still putting you in the swing and swaddling you for your afternoon nap and you will sleep 3-4 hours. Hopefully we wont have to take the swing to college with you. haha.

There are so many ways you are different than your brother.. one of them is eating solids. Colter about ate the spoon out of my hand at 4 1/2 months, and you couldn't be more different. I've tried solids a few times.. bananas, rice cereal, avocado and you look at me like i'm poisoning you. Your face gets super scrunched up and you spit out 99% of what goes in. After 3 bites, you refuse to turn your head towards me. Don't worry... there is always a willing brother to finish what you don't eat.

Your obsession with the jumperoo continues. You jump and squeal and jump and squeal for so long. You also love to be carried in the bjorn, swing in your swing in the garage, go for walks, and put pretty much everything in your mouth. You love the pop up animals toy, the wipes container, the jumbo knob puzzles, books with things to feel/shove in your face, and your feet.

                           



Your best friend is Harper. She always comes right up to your face and gives you love and you get the biggest grin on your face. I think we're in for it with you two when you get a little older.

We had a 1/2 birthday party for you with your cousins & aunts/uncles. We had pizza, brownies, and gave you your first dolly. You barely napped that day, so you were one tired birthday girl.

My sweet sweet pumpkin, I adore you. I can't imagine not having you in our family.. I know you will continue to light up this world for the rest of your life.