6 Months

Height: 27 inches (86%ile)

Weight: 17 pounds, 11 ounces (75%ile)

Oh my sweetheart, how has 6 months already passed?! Although it feels as if you've been a part of our family forever, I can't believe that you're already half way to your first birthday and doing things like eating food and sitting and almost crawling! The newborn stage just whizzed by! You're wearing 6-12 month clothes now, too, and I'm pretty sure you're working on some teeth. You chew on everything and constantly smack your little gums together.

You started out the month with another bad ear infection. Since you had two, back to back, the doctor prescribed a stronger antibiotic this time. While it seemed to do a better job knocking out the ear infection, it caused some major tummy issues. The pharmacist warned me that the antibiotic may cause "problematic" diarrhea... If you ask me, all diarrhea should be considered problematic. Well, it became clear after two days that we had passed from just regular diarrhea to problematic diarrhea. (We're talking massive blowouts multiple times a day- as in up the back, out the front, and out the sides). The pharmacist recommended giving you a pro-biotic a couple times a day to ease your tummy. Thankfully, it seemed to do the trick, and we avoided any major blow outs while celebrating the holidays with relatives. Whew!

With all of your ear and tummy issues (and possible teething), came continued sleep issues. Not only have naps been scarce, you've been waking in the night again and the only thing that will calm you is nursing. Even now that your ear infection is completely better, we're back to one or two night time feedings... I guess I got spoiled with you sleeping through the night so early! I'm hoping that you're just going through a growth spurt and that it will work itself out soon!

You love eating and are getting really good at it. We just started some blends and you seem to like everything you've tried (although you prefer fruits to vegetables). I think your favorite right now is a plum/apple/barley blend! You're still nursing about five times a day and taking a few supplements a day. You're getting pretty good at holding the bottle yourself, too!

You're also becoming little Miss Independent! You used to be happy spending the day on my lap, or in my arms, but now (if you're not nursing) you squeal and squirm until I put you down. You just love hanging out on the floor with your toys (and brother).

(I think, you're telling him to back off above... He was just trying to help, Izzy, no need to punch him in the eye!)

This month, you've perfected the art of sitting. You went from supporting yourself with your hands to balancing upright in a matter of days (just after you turned 5 months).

You've also been using your floor time to play with your feet and strengthen your core. You have just started lifting up your tummy and rocking on your hands and feet. I don't think it will be long before you're crawling (you're getting pretty frustrated with this immobile business).

Finally, this past month brought both some fun outdoor activities as well as Christmas and New Year's celebrations! We visited the Ice Castle in Eden Prairie,

went sledding (well you didn't get to slide down the hill, but daddy did pull you in the sled a couple times),

and we even went to a kite festival (although I'm not sure how much you actually saw since you were bundled up next to me).

We celebrated Christmas with extended families on both sides and you got to meet some new relatives (including several second cousins).

New Year's was pretty wild. We had a family game day and were all asleep by 11. At least we got some party hats!

The past 6 months have truly flown by! We love you so, so much and are thoroughly enjoying the happy, vivacious little person that you're becoming. I can't wait to see what the next 6 months brings (but I'm praying that it goes a little slower)!

Happy 6 months, sweetheart!

Love, Mom