How is it possible that it has already been half a year since we welcomed you in to our lives? It seems like you were just a tiny, curled up newborn with your little squeaks and grunts, always looking off in to the distance. I can remember getting excited that you were able to lift your head high enough to turn it side to side while doing tummy time, and just the other day you were pushed up all the way to your waist while reaching, grabbing, and playing for nearly 20 minutes! I've packed away even more of your clothes and pulled out some larger clothes only to find that some already fit you perfectly (which means they won't be out for long!).
It blows my mind how fast you are growing and changing, and it is hard to wrap my brain around the fact that you are now closer to being a toddler than a newborn. I am doing my best to embrace this time while you are still small to indulge in extra snuggle time; and I admit that sometimes I just sit and hold you for a few minutes after the occasional middle of the night feeding even if I am bleary eyed and exhausted. I know these days will pass too quickly and there will come a time when I miss our special 3:00am snuggles (which are already not a regular occurrence... admittedly this is bittersweet as I really like sleeping but I also cherish the extra moments we have together).
As you head in to your sixth month of life we are beginning the teething journey! You have been drooling like it's your job and sticking everything in your mouth since before Christmas but there hasn't been much going on in your mouth. Recently, Dad and I noticed that we could see two tiny little nubs just under your gums on the bottom, and a few days before your six month birthday they broke through your gums! We affectionately call them your "toof-ers" and you are always rubbing your tongue against your new little teeth. We knew something was up, too, because the day before you took a really, really long nap and then that night you nursed two or three times at night (you usually don't nurse at all overnight).
On a related note, we are going to start feeding you solids pretty soon. You now sit in your little booster seat/high chair at the table and we've given you a few "practice" bites with an empty spoon. It's so cute to see you take a "bite" and to have you at the table! It makes you seem and look more like a boy, but at the same time you still possess so many of your little baby qualities that we adore. We love watching you pat on your tray and bang your little toys around. While you are in your chair we have given you an empty plastic bowl to play with, too, and it's so neat to see you explore it as a new object when, to us, it's just a mundane, ordinary thing we interact with each day.
Like last month, your hair continues to grow and fill in. There is finally a little peach fuzz on the bald spot you had rubbed on the back of your head, and the top is getting long enough that we comb it a bit to the side. It makes you look so fancy. You were born with a little bit of hair on the "rims" of your ears (weird, right?) and for the most part it has finally fallen out. There is still a little fuzz, though, and I admit we are glad it seems to be falling out rather than filling in!
You've learned to roll from your tummy to your back and we were so, so excited! Unfortunately you only did it three times one morning and haven't done it since; and you have never rolled from your back to your tummy. We give you lots of "tummy time" so you can continue to build your strength, and we help you do some practice rolls to help you get the idea of what to do. Your pediatrician said she is not worried about it because of your other physical skills (I've been a bit obsessed with the fact that you haven't rolled because it was on the list of milestones for your four month well visit). In fact, she said there is a chance you could just skip rolling over and move right on to crawling or pulling up to standing! It will be fun to see how things progress with your physical development.
The jumperoo continues to be one of your favorite activities during playtime. You seem to alternate between bouncing and being very still and focused on the toys that are attached on the rim. It's neat to watch you explore how the different toys work. Sometimes Dad or I will lay on our backs and have you either sit or stand on our hips. We raise our hips up in the air and then drop you halfway down and back up again. It makes you laugh so much! You seem to like it most when we make sound effects at the same time.
Getting you dressed and changing your diaper is starting to get more interesting these days. You often flip your feet up to your face or straighten your legs and hips so much that we almost have to force you to bend a leg to get it in your pants. One cute thing you do is when we are putting your arm in a sleeve you have figured out how to push it through on your own. Basically we just get it started and then pull the end over your hand if it gets stuck and you do the rest! Sometimes when we are getting you out of your car seat you will pull your arms inside the straps and start leaning forward to help us lift you out. Such a helpful little baby.
Your six month well visit at the pediatrician went well. The doctor answered all my questions (I always ask about a million things!), and you didn't seem to mind all her poking and prodding. As usual, you had a round of vaccines and Dad and I continue to marvel at how well you seem to handle the prick. You always cry, of course, but it only lasts ten or fifteen seconds and then you're all set. I accidentally left the pacifier at home and was worried you'd cry longer, but it didn't seem to make much of a difference. You're one tough cookie!
Here are some facts about you as a six month old boy...
Nicknames: Muffin, Sugar Plum, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Face, Silly Head, MJ Butter Boy
Loves: Jumping in the jumperoo, playing "drop" games with Mom and Dad, co-sleeping, playing with your feet, snuggling, tasting everything, playing peek-a-boo type games
Dislikes: When we've had you on your tummy too long, not having a captive audience
Height: 26.25 inches (44th percentile)
Weight: 16 pounds 7 ounces (36th percentile)
Head Circumference: 17 inches (34th percentile)
Clothing Size: 3 month, 3 - 6 month, 6 month, size 3 diapers
You are such a special boy, Max, and there are so many people who love you! Dad and I are Co-Presidents of your fan club, and we are so glad that God chose us to be your parents. You amaze us everyday and we truly treasure each moment we spend with you. It's hard to imagine what life would be like without you!
Love,
Mom
