Dear Gabriel,
When you were first born, my mother, Grandma Lori, told me that babies start to get really fun right around six months. This month you have proven her right. You have just come alive and are exploring and charming your way through this world.
Stats
You currently weigh __________ and are __________ inches long. You wear size 6-9 month clothes. They're generally still a little big on you, but that's okay. :)
Sleep
From the moment you were born and getting you to sleep wasn't as easy as we had anticipated, we began co-sleeping and I told myself that I wouldn't push you to sleep on your own until you were six months old. Arbitrary, seemingly, but my gut told me that was right for us. Along the way, I have tried about once a month to get you to sleep in your crib and every attempt failed. We were just more comfortable having you with us - it was where you slept best.
Almost six months to the day, you went down in your crib. We put you on your tummy and you seemed almost grateful. We have a nighttime routine of nursing you down to the tune of your spiffy mobile at around 8 pm and when the song finishes, Daddy puts you down.
You still wake around every two hours on average. Daddy brings you in to me and I nurse you until you fall asleep again, then he takes you back to your room. Around 4 am, Daddy leaves for work, so he brings you in to me and we co-sleep until you wake around 8 am most days. You sleep more lightly during the wee morning hours and I still get to enjoy waking with you, which was always my favorite part of co-sleeping. It has been a great system.
I do miss having you sleep right next to me. That time was so fleeting and I did wish it away. I don't regret having co-slept with you and cherish that time together.
Eating
You've been trucking through the solids this month! You really enjoy eating and have yet to refuse a food. You reach for our plates and cups and we pretty much let you taste anything we're eating.
Foods you've added to your repertoire: applesauce, guacamole, mandarin oranges, black beans, bananas, queso, tortillas, bell peppers, yogurt, tomato, and Thanksgiving fare: olives, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. You loved cranberry sauce.
You've had some milk, water, and smoothies from straws, but you haven't sucked liquids into the straw yourself just yet. You're close, though.
You like to feed yourself with your hands, not be fed. If I try to feed you with a spoon, you grasp the spoon yourself and put it in your mouth.
Milestones
You play on your own, now. You reach for toys you want and enjoy digging in boxes for items. You especially like to play with whatever isn't a toy - straws, keys, bottles, eating utensils, etc.
You sit like a boss these days, and roll over like crazy, too. You are so so so close to crawling. Your dad and I have bets that you will crawl by Christmas.
In the middle of the month, you said, "Da da," for the first time! It was fun. Now you say it a lot. You don't call for Daddy, but I can say, "Where's Da da?" and you look for him. So adorable.
Events
Early in the month, Daddy traveled for the first time on business. Instead of staying home alone, you and I stayed with Grandma Lori and Grandpa Bill. It was my first time to have you overnight without Daddy. It went really well. We stayed in Oklahoma from November 5 - 10. While there we visited with Great Aunt Sharon. We also saw my best friends Lacey Green and Meghan O'Bannon. On our way to Oklahoma, we stopped off at Ikea. It was your first time going. While there we purchased your high chair and crib bumpers.You love your high chair. I'm not really sure why. You like banging on the tray.
We traveled to Oklahoma again for Thanksgiving and stayed from November 21 - 25. We stayed with Grandma and Papa Chambers. Your Great Grandmother Hoppe came all the way to California just to meet you and spend time with you. She really enjoyed watching you play and commented on how smart you are.
You loved Thanksgiving. We had a Mexican themed Thanksgiving meal and you sampled just about everything that wasn't too spicy. My parents came over for that meal. The next day we had a more traditional Thanksgiving meal and you had a little bit of everything from that meal as well.
I have enjoyed this month with you so much, Son. You have just lit up our world. Some days, I cannot believe I have a baby! And other days, I just cannot remember life without you. It seems you've always been here.
Love always,
Mommy
When you were first born, my mother, Grandma Lori, told me that babies start to get really fun right around six months. This month you have proven her right. You have just come alive and are exploring and charming your way through this world.
Stats
You currently weigh __________ and are __________ inches long. You wear size 6-9 month clothes. They're generally still a little big on you, but that's okay. :)
Sleep
From the moment you were born and getting you to sleep wasn't as easy as we had anticipated, we began co-sleeping and I told myself that I wouldn't push you to sleep on your own until you were six months old. Arbitrary, seemingly, but my gut told me that was right for us. Along the way, I have tried about once a month to get you to sleep in your crib and every attempt failed. We were just more comfortable having you with us - it was where you slept best.
Almost six months to the day, you went down in your crib. We put you on your tummy and you seemed almost grateful. We have a nighttime routine of nursing you down to the tune of your spiffy mobile at around 8 pm and when the song finishes, Daddy puts you down.
You still wake around every two hours on average. Daddy brings you in to me and I nurse you until you fall asleep again, then he takes you back to your room. Around 4 am, Daddy leaves for work, so he brings you in to me and we co-sleep until you wake around 8 am most days. You sleep more lightly during the wee morning hours and I still get to enjoy waking with you, which was always my favorite part of co-sleeping. It has been a great system.
I do miss having you sleep right next to me. That time was so fleeting and I did wish it away. I don't regret having co-slept with you and cherish that time together.
Eating
You've been trucking through the solids this month! You really enjoy eating and have yet to refuse a food. You reach for our plates and cups and we pretty much let you taste anything we're eating.
Foods you've added to your repertoire: applesauce, guacamole, mandarin oranges, black beans, bananas, queso, tortillas, bell peppers, yogurt, tomato, and Thanksgiving fare: olives, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. You loved cranberry sauce.
You've had some milk, water, and smoothies from straws, but you haven't sucked liquids into the straw yourself just yet. You're close, though.
You like to feed yourself with your hands, not be fed. If I try to feed you with a spoon, you grasp the spoon yourself and put it in your mouth.
Milestones
You play on your own, now. You reach for toys you want and enjoy digging in boxes for items. You especially like to play with whatever isn't a toy - straws, keys, bottles, eating utensils, etc.
You sit like a boss these days, and roll over like crazy, too. You are so so so close to crawling. Your dad and I have bets that you will crawl by Christmas.
In the middle of the month, you said, "Da da," for the first time! It was fun. Now you say it a lot. You don't call for Daddy, but I can say, "Where's Da da?" and you look for him. So adorable.
Events
Early in the month, Daddy traveled for the first time on business. Instead of staying home alone, you and I stayed with Grandma Lori and Grandpa Bill. It was my first time to have you overnight without Daddy. It went really well. We stayed in Oklahoma from November 5 - 10. While there we visited with Great Aunt Sharon. We also saw my best friends Lacey Green and Meghan O'Bannon. On our way to Oklahoma, we stopped off at Ikea. It was your first time going. While there we purchased your high chair and crib bumpers.You love your high chair. I'm not really sure why. You like banging on the tray.
We traveled to Oklahoma again for Thanksgiving and stayed from November 21 - 25. We stayed with Grandma and Papa Chambers. Your Great Grandmother Hoppe came all the way to California just to meet you and spend time with you. She really enjoyed watching you play and commented on how smart you are.
You loved Thanksgiving. We had a Mexican themed Thanksgiving meal and you sampled just about everything that wasn't too spicy. My parents came over for that meal. The next day we had a more traditional Thanksgiving meal and you had a little bit of everything from that meal as well.
I have enjoyed this month with you so much, Son. You have just lit up our world. Some days, I cannot believe I have a baby! And other days, I just cannot remember life without you. It seems you've always been here.
Love always,
Mommy
No comments:
Post a Comment