I cannot believe it. I cannot believe that my baby boy is already 1/2 a year old. The last 6 months have been a wild ride, and I have loved every second of having my sweet boy around! Even the long hard nights and restless days. Watching him grow and develop has been such a joy. As a second time mom, I think I appreciate things a bit more because I fully understand just how short these times are. But also as a special needs mom, I know not to take any moment or any milestone, no matter how small, for granted. I have to watch myself and balance that with not spoiling him rotten!!! Although I will say that- be it because he is my second or just typical- I do not have the same overly protective, almost obsessive need to be with him every second. Sadly, he didn't get that memo! He is a MAMA'S BOY!!!! And I just love it! I will add pictures later (when my camera charges so I can take them!).
Weight
You are just over 18 lbs and growing like a weed! . And you love to eat so I know that you will continue to gain! Length
You are still very long, and are in the higher percentiles for sure! You are over 28" now, and we will find out your percentile at the doctor's office. But you are a tall boy for sure. In fact, a lady at Kroger yesterday didn't believe me that you were only 6 months. She kept asking me if I was sure of your age! HAHA!Clothes
You now wear all 6-9 and 9-12 month clothes now. It is getting harder and harder to keep you in clothes! You have been wearing hats and sunglasses too, since we are spending more time outside (which you love!). Your socks are 12-18 month socks- you have HUGE feet!Nicknames
Arch, Bub, Bubs, Bubba, Brother, Chubs, Chunky Monkey, BuddaBall, Chubbers, Archie-Boy (I am the only one who is allowed to call him that...he will NOT be called "Archie" if I can help it!)Food
You are exclusively breastfed, and will take a bottle if you have to (of breast milk). But you won't take it from me at all! You love to eat and are eating every 3-4 hours usually. Although sometimes you still want to eat every 1-2 (I think that is when you are going through a growth spurt). You nurse for about 10-20 minutes on one side at a feeding, and it seems to work pretty well for us! I can now pretty much eat anything I want, and you are now off your reflux medicine and doing well! You have started going about 5 or 6 hours each night, which has been nice! You eat around 10-11, then not again until 3 or 4.
We have also started solids. We started with avocado. You are not a fan. Yet. But we are pushing forward and hope that you will learn to love it. It is so good for you and your development.
Sleep
You are sleeping more and more at night these days, and I LOVE IT! Still not through the night, but I am hopeful! You still don't like taking naps, but I am trying to solidify your routine, so I think that will help. You are STILL co-sleeping with mommy and daddy, but that is about to change. You hate your bed and laying down alone, but we are going to try some different methods and work out one that works for us. You need to learn to love your bed. Stinker! :) You are a morning kid like mommy used to be. Emphasis on past tense. It is okay to sleep in on weekends, buddy!
Fun Stuff- some are the same from months 1-5!
* You smile and laugh a lot!
* You love to bat at things and love to stare at yourself in the mirror and look at lights and fans!
* You have started tolerating your carseat better, which has been nice!
* You have decided that you hate bathtime. You also hate swimming. Bummer.
* You still love to be naked! You just smile and smile when you are stripped down!
* You are only fussy in the evenings now, and those times seem to be getting shorter and shorter!
* You are sitting all on your own now! It is so fun and you prefer that to laying down.
* You can now spin around when on your belly, and you are starting to get up on all 4's. I think you will be crawling by this time next month!
* You have started taking a paci on a regular basis. It still isn't "needed" for you, but you will take it and enjoy it some, too. You really like that you can put it in your mouth all by yourself!
* You are super gassy and have really stinky toots! But most of the time it doesn't bother you!
* You are very tolerant of your sister, and have really started watching and smiling at her. I think the two of you are going to be very close! Although you do love to pull her hair!!!
* You still prefer mommy, but are starting to really like that daddy guy, too!
* You are really getting good at grabbing things and love to put things in your mouth!
* You give kisses now!
* You don't have any teeth yet, but I think one is coming!
* You have started waving!!!
* Everything you do, you prefer to do with your left hand! I think you are going to be a south paw!
* You are babbling so much now! You are saying mamamama and dadadada, as well as lots of other fun sounds! It is so funny!
* You have really taken an interest in Hugo and Wesley, and just laugh and squeal when you spot them! It is the highlight of your day if you get to touch one of them!
Archer- happy 6 month birthday!!! You are getting to be such a big, happy, fun, and outgoing boy! We love you so much and you have brought so much joy and happiness to our lives! We love you, and we thank the Lord each day for you! I pray that your daddy and I can honor God and raise you into the man He wants you to be!
~Mommy, Daddy, and Sister (Ava)
