The Six Month Big Girl

I can't believe she's six months. Claire has been a part of our lives for half of a year! 'Precious' doesn't even capture how these last six months have been for our family of three. Before I go all mushy, I better give you the six month scoop:

Eating

We've come along way from the avocado of last month. So far we've tried sweet potatoes, peas, carrots and bananas. Oh, and we just tried a frozen peach in a mesh teether. Does that count? Anyway, she loves peas and carrots and is warming up to bananas. She is now actually swallowing her food - not just tasting it.

She still drinks four bottles a day, but now is more on the 5 oz. per bottle instead of the full 7 oz. Although, today as a mature six month old she has eaten 7-8 oz. bottles. Maybe she heard that she is a big girl now.

Claire also eyes and tries to reach for anything that Joey and I are eating. It's a good reminder that as her parents we've got to get our good eating habits back. Eek!

Sleep

Since we last chatted there has been a time change - Spring Forward to be exact. Apparently kids are supposed to sleep "later". This was not our experience. It's not that big of a deal, but Claire wakes up between 6:15-6:30 AM instead of 7:00 AM. We have no business complaining about sleep as we get plenty for parents of a six month old, but just wanted to share the update.

She is still napping three times a day with a 1.5 hour nap in the morning and afternoon and an hour or so in the early evening. Her bedtime is still between 7:00 - 7:30 PM.

The crib mattress is however about to be lowered. She is getting a little too

curious with the railing and her strength is growing by the day.

Movement

Claire is scooting! Or rolling. Or scoot-rolling. She's on the move. She sees something she wants on the floor and figures out a way to get there. This may entail crossing treacherous toy terrain and showing a few sock monkeys and stuffed giraffes who's boss. Claire and Mommy have yet to go head-to-head on this boss business, but I see a conversation or two in the future.

She sits unassisted for almost several minutes unless she's uninterested and would rather stand. Then she just gets mad.

This girl still loves to stand. She loves her walker although we do limit the time she spends in it to make sure she's spending more on tummy time and learning to crawl. Side note - it really hurts to have ones toes run over by a baby walker.

Play

Play time gets more and more fun! She can now pick up most toys with intent. Her favorite toys are the Melissa & Doug fish and her rings. She spins spin toys, pulls pull toys and shakes rattles. Of course, most of these toys are still going in her mouth.

Books are still a favorite. She leans over the side of the rocking chair to signal that she wants you to read another book. I have to cut her off. Bookworms still need naps.

The best thing? She laughs! Claire likes it when Mommy gives her zerberts or makes funny noises.

She is now singing. I know, I know...singing, right. Well we think she is. She has always loved us singing to her and now she makes sweet little coos and sighs musically. It's so sweet. She would rather sing talk than eat her bottle. And this girl likes to eat!

She is incredibly interested in our small dog, Bo. She scoots around in a circle as he walks around, following him with her eyes everywhere and smiling the whole time. I feel like she wants to make friends. Only, Bo is a little disinterested. She's handling the mild rejection fairly well and continues to persevere in pursuing her little friend. It's so sweet. Keep trying baby, he'll come around.

Growth

Her 6 month appointment is next week so we will get the full update at that time. A few of the things that we have noticed are that her hair is thicker, she seems to be Jolly Green Giant long all of the sudden and she has lost the infant look completely. Wheh! Insert bittersweet Mommy Tears here.

We have pulled out all of our 6-9 month gear and are in a lot of just plain 9 month. More Mommy Tears.

Also to report, we have teeth - two to be exact! I can't say those days weren't rough, but she handled it like a champ. Mommy and Daddy were not prepared for teeth quite yet, but at least we've got those first two bottom teeth under our belt.

A little sad news to report is that Claire apparently has allergies. We went for a walk on the first day that yellow pollen blanketed everything and boy did we pay for it. An hour or so after getting home her nose was so stopped upped and she would sneeze over and over again. So sad! It took her a week to get over it. But there was a silver lining! Lots of snuggles for Mommy and Daddy! We have an active little girl and those moments are
increasingly less so we'll take it!

Joey and I are having so much! Each new stage has its challenges, but there are infinitely more joys at every new turn. On the 7 month horizon (Oh, that sounds way too old!) we're looking at crawling, maybe more teeth...who knows! Whatever it is, we're ready for it!