Dear Ellison -
Happy Half Birthday, Sweet Girl! I can't believe we're here already. You are growing too fast and are learning to do so many new things. We love you more than words can say. You truly are the light of our lives. Here's what you've been up to the past month...
-Your six month checkup is next week, so we'll know then exactly how big you are. I think you're pushing 18 pounds and you're definitely growing taller. You are mostly wearing 6 month clothes now. Most of your 3-6 months still fit, and you can even wear a few 3 month outfits, but I don't think that will last much longer! You are still in size 2 diapers, but I think we'll be moving to size 3's soon.
-You are eating like a champ. You typically have four or five 7 oz bottles during the day. You eat 2 tablespoons of rice cereal mixed with 1.5 oz formula mid morning while you're at school. We started on some fruits and veggies this month too and we usually feed you 2 oz about an hour or so before we start getting you ready for bed. So far, you've tried sweet potatoes, bananas, green beans, and carrots and have loved them all! I am planning to make your food for you and so far it's been very easy.
-We have been getting you into bed by about 7:30 every night and usually wake you up around 6:15 during the week to get ready for school. On the weekends you're usually up between 7:00 and 7:30. You usually take two naps a day...a shorter one in the mornings for about an hour and then a good 2-3 hour nap in the afternoons. You like sleeping on your sides and still move all over during the night. More often than not, your head is where your feet should be in the mornings when you wake up.
-You are a great sitter. You can sit for a really long time unassisted. You have super trunk control and can reach out for your toys and pull yourself back to sitting. You can twist to look at things behind you and still keep your balance.
-Tummy time is still not your most favorite thing to do. I really think you might be one of those babies who just skips crawling. You love to stand up and pull up whenever you get the chance. Your legs are super strong.
-You are so chatty! You babble and talk constantly! We really think "Buddy" will be your first word. You are making lots of "Buh Buh" noises and have done it a few times in response to Buddy coming into the room. Could be just a coincidence, but your daddy and I have conceded to the fact that the dog may have won over the two of us. You also love to shriek. You've most certainly found your voice and love exploring all the things you can do with it now!
-You are such a smiley, happy girl. You give the biggest grins and your giggle is the sweetest sound.
-You're very into faces now. You like to reach out and grab our noses!
-You are still into the exersaucer and have also found a new love for the jumper. You love to bounce!
-Bath time is lots of fun these days! You will be graduating from your bath chair really soon. You LOVE the water and have learned how fun it is to splash around!
-There were lots of firsts this month!!
-Your first snow was a bit of a surprise. We had heard there would be flurries, but we got big flakes for hours! We were sure to take you out for lots of pictures. Your little eyes were as big as saucers!
-You had your first fever this month...and that wasn't so fun! You'd had a cough and cold for a couple of weeks, but the fever sort of came out of nowhere. You were out of school for two days because of it. We think it might have been from teething becuase....
-You have your first tooth! Your bottom middle left tooth has just broken through the skin. You didn't complain too much, but we gave your a little tylenol and Orajel as needed and it seemed to do the trick.
-You took your first trip to the grocery store and sat in the front of the buggy like a big girl! You were so well behaved! There were lots of things to look at....lights, colors, people, and new sights and sounds!
-You also took your first stroller ride without being in the car seat. You sat right up, kicked your little feet back and forth, and enjoyed seeing the world.
-We celebrated cousin Lola's first birthday this month too! It was your first party! We had lots of fun and got some really cute pictures.
-You also had your first Valentine's Day! Daddy and I joined you for a Valentine's Ball at school. You were sleeping when we got there but we woke you so you wouldn't miss all the fun! You got a few sweet cards for your first V-Day, and we can't wait to start lots of fun traditions with you!
-School is going great. You are learning lots of new things and making new friends. There were lots of fun things happening at school for you last month. You had your first school fundraiser...you sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts....8 boxes to daddy's work friends and 3 boxes, 2 partnership cards, 1 gift certificate, and 1 bag of coffee to mommy's work friends! Mommy came and read to your class one day too. I read The Belly Button Book, which is one of our favorites! You also took class pictures this month.
-Nana came back to visit us from Florida. She came the day after Valentine's and got to be here for your first snow! Mike came a few days later and got to meet you for the first time too!
-You are such an angel. We love you to the moon and stars and back. Happy Six Months Ellie Belle!
