Hannah: 6 Months

18 pounds 4 ounces

25.5 inches long

44 centimeter head circumference

Dear Baby,

Happy 1/2 year birthday, Hannah!! Woohoo!! We applaud you many times a day for various accomplishments like doing well on exercises or tummy time, giving big burps, big jumps in the jumperoo, etc etc. We say "yayyyy Hannah!!" and clap our hands together. You always give us a big smile, usually inhale deeply and kind of bobble around with excitement. You are just too cute, and seriously the happiest little girl. You give away smiles for free and light up the room. Everyone compliments your eyes, smile, cheeriness and most of them also comment on your perfect chubby cheeks. I glow with pride every time. You are too sweet for words and I am so very proud to be your mommy! Pretty sure Dad feels the same way!

those eyes

those cheeks!

This month was pretty exciting and full of many firsts. You found your thumb and your index finger. You like to stick both fingers in your mouth at the same time and suck on them. You cover everything in drool. Sometimes you gag because you stick your finger too far into your mouth. You'll cough, look surprised then do it again. You have become very proficient in jumping in your jumperoo. You know how to work it now and bounce until you've worn yourself out. You interact with all of the toys now and have gotten pretty good at grabbing what you want. You rub your eyes frequently and have very good hand to eye contact. We introduced you to the high chair (thanks Aunt Teresa!!) and you love it. We don't have a dining room or large table so we move it around from the living room and kitchen, depending on where we are. The tray is covered with toys and you will happily sit in it for long periods of time just playing with your toys while I work at the desk or do dishes and laundry. You much prefer sitting up straight over your bouncy seat these days. We use the bouncy seat less and less which is strange since you spent most of your awake time there for so many months. You ran the highest fever we've experienced (102.8). I was pretty scared but Tylenol brought it down and we kept you dosed up for a few days and you were all better. You tried so hard to be happy and feel good but it wore you down some. Once it passed you were back to your happy self. Such a trooper. You learned how to grab your feet while laying down and when we practice sitting up you want to eat them, so you end up face-planting into the floor to attempt it. You get frustrated with it when I prevent you from diving down awkwardly.

fingers are the best

What may be our most exciting first is that we started solid foods on your 6 month birthday! After some research I decided to completely forgo the rice cereal and we went straight for vegetables, starting with sweet potatoes. Dad got a good video of you happily opening your mouth for bites, even though you didn't know what to do once the puree was actually in your mouth. It was super cute and entertaining. We've now done 3 days of sweet potatoes and will do bananas next. (I just asked Dad which we should do next - bananas, carrots or green beans - and he voted for the bananas). You try to put your hand in your mouth mid-feed, which is messy. You also grab for the spoon sometimes. I see messy meals in our future!!

unsure at first

but a little more agreeable after a few tastes!

Another big change that's new is how we are diapering you. After our generous stock of disposable diapers ran out (thanks Aunt Teresa [again] and Mr. Chris!!), I started researching cloth diapers and cost savings. We invested in a stash of cloth diapers that should last us until Hannah is potty trained, and possibly a while into another child down the road. Of course it could turn out differently, but I'm hopeful! We will still use disposable diapers for when we are on long outings, while someone else is keeping you and for bed time. But during the day while we are home and short trips out you're rocking some spiffy new diapers! We have different colors and two different textures (minky and PUL) and while they make your butt a little more 'fluffy,' they are way too cute.

one of the new cloth diapers

You have the cutest laugh, but we have to work for it. You think Dad's silly, fake laugh is pretty funny and airplane is probably the coolest thing ever as far as you're concerned. We love hearing that giggle and the huge grin that comes with it. I'm so thankful for how happy and at ease you are (for the most part). You love life and wake up with a smile every morning. You sleep wonderfully in your crib until about 7 am, then you start wiggling and fussing so we put you in our bed for another hour or two. Usually you'll fall back to sleep, but sometimes you just lay there an stare at your hands, or my hand when I give it to you. Many mornings you try to tickle my chin or punch me in the face. But when you're done sleeping and I look at you and say good morning and give you a kiss, you give me a huge smile, a little laugh and start babbling to me and I melt. I am not a morning person, but that sweet demeanor of yours makes it much easier to get out of bed each morning.

sweet smiley girl

zoo smiles, 1st time sitting in the stroller like a big girl

I hope you keep this love of life and happiness for all of your years. I hope you wake up on the right side of the bed every morning and greet each day with a smile and a positive attitude. You bring so much happiness to everyone around you and we are so glad to call you ours.

love,

Mommy