6 Months Old (My Baby's Half Birthday!)

Dear Brenna,


You are half of a year old. That's impossible for me to believe, but it's true. If we're being honest (and let's always try to be, okay?) you are really 6 months and 3 days old. Yep, I'm late. But I have a good excuse this time. We spent your half birthday (and the next 2 days) in Washington, D.C. with Nanie, Aunt Mal, and Sissy. And Internet was expensive at the hotel, so that's why you're getting a 3 day late letter. I'm pretty sure you're okay with that, right?


Anyway, we had a great trip but I'll have to wait and write about that in your 7 month old letter since it was technically after your 6 month mark. So, instead, let's talk about your sixth month.

This month you started going to a babysitter since Mommy went back to work. It's been hard on me, but you seem to not mind a bit. You seem to really like playing with Liam and his mama Kate during the day, and I hope you will continue being such a good baby. I miss you terribly during the day. I described it to Daddy as my heart "throbbing" for you during the day. Everyone says it gets easier, but I know I'll never miss you less than I do right now. I don't want to miss anything with you. Teaching is a fun job - but not as fun as being your mama. Not even close.


You're growing and changing so much, Brenna. You are an expert at sitting up now and you are SO, SO close to crawling. You can easily get on all fours - now you just have to figure out that you can move your hands and arms. I think it will be VERY soon. It's exciting and scary at the same time. I'm not sure what to do with a mobile baby. Except baby gates - I know we need more baby gates. Oh, the joys of a 3 story house and a baby. You also rolled over from your belly to your back finally this month. I still think it's funny that you rolled the harder way first and so early. You also LOVE to pull up on things that are at about a foot and a half height. You're really good at it and so strong. I'm amazed at how strong you can be in such a little body.


You're still wearing 0-3 month clothes but I think we'll be able to move into 3-6 pretty consistently soon. You actually wore a newborn onesie the other day and just today you wore the same onesie that you wore to church for the first time when you were 17 days old. You look so big to me, but I guess you're still pretty little! I'm okay with that since you're growing and gaining weight just fine. I can't wait until your appointment next week to hear all your stats. I can, however, wait for the shots. I hate it for you, baby girl. You're about to move up to size 2 disposable diapers and you still wear your size small cloth diapers almost all the time. I think you're almost ready for the mediums. Can you believe it? You're also still a wonderful sleeper - going down about 8:15 or 8:30 at night and sleeping until we (usually) have to help you wake up about 6:40 for breakfast before going to Kate's. You take 2 naps for her and usually one more short one for us at night. You're such an easy baby, Brenna. It makes us worry about having more babies - What if we get a bad sleeper next time?


On Saturday, August 28, one week shy of your 6 month mark, Daddy and I fed you your first solid food - avocado. You weren't too impressed but you didn't seem to mind, either. You've had squash and carrots baby food since then and it seems to be growing on you. We enjoy watching you try to help feed yourself (or are you just playing with the spoon?) and getting all messy. I bet you're going to love food! You're still nursing 3 times a day with 2 bottles during the week and then nursing 5 times a day on the weekends. Keep it up little Sprout, you're doing great!

This month you got to go to Richmond, VA to see your Uncle Brandan and to see Lisa and Kevin White get married. That wrapped up your four-wedding summer. You always stole the show from the bride and groom - but this bride and groom love you to death and enjoyed spending time with you on their special day. Oh, and guess what! You get to be IN a wedding next summer. Your cousin Carrie has asked us if you can be her flower girl in June. I cannot wait to see how precious you will look. You'll probably be WALKING by then Brenna. Can you believe how fast time is flying? You also got to go to Daddy's 10 year high school reunion and meet some of his friends. In the blink of an eye it will be YOUR ten year reunion.


Your personality is emerging more and more and you are such a happy, lovable, expressive baby. You love to smile at us when we make silly faces at you and you talk up a storm when you get going. Oh, I love your baby sounds. You have some important things to say and I can't wait to hear them all! Until then, I'll try to record your baby talk in my mind so I can always go back to this time when you are so innocent and fun. You're such a joy to be around.

This has been the best half-0f-a-year in my life. It's such a pleasure to be your Mommy and I love our little family. We're off toward your first birthday and I can't wait to see what's around the corner for us.


I love you, my little Sprout.
~Mommy