Mara-6 months

Weight: I'm thinking you are still around 16 lbs. 11 oz.  and 25.5 inches long.  We go in for your six month visit in about a week so we'll know if you gained any more weight.

Riding in the cart like a big girl

Health: You are over your cold and hopefully will be cold free for a while.  We got your 5 month shots about a week ago and you did super as usual.  You didn't have any reaction and handled them great!  Shots always tend to be worse on mama then they do on you!

Your skin is still the usual battle.  You keep scratching at your cheek but we've gotten the lotion that worked last time and are trying to keep some on it at all times.

You giggled the entire time

Social: You have become more talkative with others besides mama and daddy.  You babble and make gestures with your hands.  You love to observe activity around you and are most content when there is a lot to look at.

Diet: We are still breastfeeding and doing purees.  You get about 1 ounce at night.  We have tried sweet potatoes, avocado, pears, and red peppers.  You aren't too sure about the avocado or peppers but slurp down the pears.  We have slowed down the food because you have been a little "stopped" up lately.  Even with the pears (which are supposed to loosen things up) you aren't completely back to normal.  Some days we just breastfeed and that seems to help.  I'm wondering if your body isn't maybe completely ready but boy girl you are!  Its hard to deny you food when you stare and reach for things at the dinner table.  You are so interested and love trying new foods.  Hopefully things will even out soon.

You still don't mind having food all over you and are a bit of a messy eater.  You still try to help feed yourself and love having your own spoon.  The trick is trying to get that spoon out of your mouth so I can put the spoon I'm feeding you with in there.  

Not sure about red peppers

Clothes: You are still in 6 month clothing.  I've put away all your 3-6 month things and am thinking that the 6 month clothes will shortly follow.  We may try to get another week on somethings but then I think we will have to move up to 9 month.

Your diapers are doing better this week.  They aren't leaking so much so I don't know if it was the stripping I gave them or if your legs have just gotten a bit chubbier.  Probably the stripping.

Still loving this military outfit!

Mama's Favorites: I loved watching you interact with your grandma and aunt mary this week.  They were down for a visit and you loved having two more people to keep you entertained.  You showed them your new toys and smiled for a few pictures with them.

I also loved the few moments you've gotten to be with your daddy.  He's been extra busy and in the field so every moment with him is special.  Thankfully you've been waking up earlier and he's been having some late reportings so you can catch him in the mornings.

Crying: You really are only fussy when you're bored at this point.  You don't like to play by yourself for very long and then start to look around for mama.  At night you can have your moments but for the most part are fine as long as we don't wait too long for bedtime.

Look at that face

Sleep:  You are still doing great in your room.  You have even been waking up in there rather than having mama bring you back to her room.  The last few nights your initial stretch has been at least four hours which is really nice.  The amount of time between wakeups varies and we rejoice if its at least three.  You are not a sleeper girl.

You still fuss in your sleep some nights.  I've been able to tell when you really aren't awake and I let you soothe yourself asleep.  This works best because if I do go in there you wake up even more.

We are still swaddling you but you are finding ways to escape.  Last night you had your hands out every time I came to check on you.

You love to hike

 This Week: This week your grandma and aunt mary came to visit you.  Daddy was in the field so it was nice to have two extra pairs of hands.  We went shopping and mama got a day without you to run errands and attend meetings.  Next week daddy is headed back out to the field and we'll be on our own again.

My aunt mary calls me Kenya

Baby Likes: Anything you can chew on!  You put everything in your mouth including a ton of things you shouldn't.  I've noticed you aren't as entertained with your jumper as you used to be but now love to sit in your highchair with a few toys around you.

You are still a morning girl and immediately break into a smile when I come and get you.  We have recently been getting out of the house on walks with the nicer weather and you seem to really enjoy this.  You are still getting used to the stroller but we can usually make a loop around the neighborhood before you get fussy.

Cheezin for the camera

Milestones: We have added red peppers and pears to your menu!  You LOVE pears but aren't so sure about the peppers.

You almost have a tooth.  One has definitely broken through on the bottom but still needs a few more days to pop.  I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't been using my finger as a chew toy.  Man that tooth is sharp!

Best of Times:  Getting to spend time with grandma and aunt mary.  It was so good to have them here and do grandma's favorite thing: shopping!

This face kills me

Worst of Times:  I'm still struggling with our night schedule.  I could really use some more uninterrupted sleep.

Also not having your daddy around for a few days wasn't fun.