Six

...and one day.

Little man is half way to his first birthday.  What's new?

You are by far the chunkiest of my babies.  Dr. Mitchell commented at your well check yesterday, "I'm so glad you brought both of your chins!"  We have worked hard to get you those sweet little rolls.  That being said, you're still a bit on the small side compared to the average kiddo.  You now weigh 16 lbs, 8 oz which puts you right around the 32nd percentile.  You are 24.75 inches tall which means that you've actually fallen off the bottom of the chart for height.  Apparently, you're a bit of a shorty right now.  The great irony in all of this growth is that you actually gained more in head circumference than you did in length.  You gained half an inch in length between your 4 and 6 months check ups.  You gained almost three quarters of an inch in head circumference!  Your daddy suggests that you may be slowly turning into a cartoon.

You have begun your foray into solid foods.  Technically, that began last month when you lunged for my breakfast treat.  You still have that tongue thrust reflex, and tend to gag a little when we spoon feed you.  Instead, you've been trying new foods in the mesh feeders.  You tend to prefer things you can do independently.  You're stubborn determined, like that! Your favorite by far is a nice frozen banana.  You were not too pleased with strawberries.  We will try blueberries and maybe some avocado next.

Not only are you my chunkiest baby, you are also my strongest.  Diapering you is like diapering an octopus.  It feels like I am constantly wrestling arms and legs to get you covered.  Trying to put a footed sleeper on you can be almost impossible, especially if it has snaps.   You are skillful at quickly turning from back to stomach and from stomach to a crouching/sitting position.  We had to take the bassinet out of the pack and play because you kept sitting up after nap time.  You quickly decided that sitting was not enough of a milestone, so you have also decided you will start to crawl.  You get up on all fours and rock back and forth.  You're able to move a bit, but you have trouble getting good traction on the wood floors.  I don't imagine that will hinder you for long.  You are bound and determined to crawl ASAP.  I will be surprised if you are not crawling in the next week or two.

You remain a little social animal.  You continue to charm the ladies wherever you go.  In fact, I've been told that some of the ladies in the church nursery quite literally fight over who gets to hold you.  One told me that she planned to arrive early during her next duty week, so that she could have dibs on you. Anytime someone even glances at you, you turn on the charm.  It's coos and grins and giggles all the way.  I can't get enough of your joyful personality!

You are still not an excellent sleeper.  I have seen glimmers of hope, though.  You had two nights in a row that you slept all the way through.  So, I have a feeling that it is coming soon.  Believe me, there will be much rejoicing when that time is here!  You will, however, sleep quite contentedly on someone for hours upon end.

Unfortunately for you, although I am a crunchy baby mama in some senses of the term, I am not a co-sleeper.  Mama is entirely too uptight for that.  Once you're good and unconscious, though, you will sleep pretty well in your crib.  You are certainly a very happy boy when you wake up.  I treasure you're early morning grins.

You are our sweet and joyful little man!  I can't wait to see what the next month brings!