Dear Rowan,
Today, I marveled at you all day long. You sat unassisted in ever increasing increments, smiled and laughed and squealed and just genuinely made me happy every hour on the hour. You're six months old today, and we have really hit our rhythm as a family. You bring such peace, such joy, such contentment to our house and to my heart. I expected the joy, but the peace caught me off guard, and has been the most welcome, amazing surprise of all. When I am with you, I don't need anything else. I don't want to be anywhere else. Everything is as it should be, and it is all just…enough. More than enough.
Your sixth month was an incredible one, my darling, and in between our outings and traditions and holiday celebrations, you literally exploded with new skills and personality every day. You blow raspberries and giggle with your whole body. You shake your head no a lot, and even though you don't know what you're doing, you have quite comedic timing, and appear to be telling us no multiple times each day. You're a riot, squealing at top volume from your jumper and whenever you see your fur brothers (and also at restaurants), treating us to your fake cough, leaning in close to our faces with your mouth open wide (it's the worlds slobberiest and most amazing kiss), "patting" my back as I sing your good night song before bed and grinning with your whole face all day long.
You really play now, concentrating on your toys and shifting positions to get your preferred angle. You make sounds that are very close to "Mama," which is music to my ears, of course. You reach your arms out to be picked up and dive forward toward me no matter whose arms happen to be holding you. Your jumper is your happy place these days, and you really go crazy in there, hopping and squealing and banging your hands against all the various toys and accoutrements. You're growing so fast, and just yesterday we had to run out to get a few clothing essentials for you in the next size up. We also said goodbye to your size two diapers, and you're currently rocking size threes with a little room to grow.
For most of the month, you slept like a champion through the night and got better with your naps too. The last couple of weeks though, you've regressed a bit, and last night you woke up at 2:30 needing a feeding which you haven't done in a long while. I brought you into our room and cuddled you as you ate, and you slept the rest of the morning right by my head, which was a special treat, my sweet girl. Between teething and what I suspect is a growth spurt, I think you might just need a little extra food and a little extra mamalove right now, and for the record, I am fine with both.
Your eating has been erratic this month, and you keep me guessing each day on how many ounces of formula you'll take during your feedings. You still adore your oatmeal cereal each morning, and we've added carrots, squash and sweet potatoes over the last few weeks. Carrots were your least favorite, squash was a little better (but you definitely didn't love it), and sweet potatoes at least prompted a couple of "mmmsss" which is your version of two thumbs up for culinary matters. We'll keep trying things until we find your preferred palate, don't worry.
We celebrated your first Christmas, and you were an angel for all of our festivities and had so much fun with Nana, Grandad, Uncle Matty and a few other extended family folks. You loved Santa and you had a blast on Christmas morning opening gifts and coming downstairs to see what he had left for you. It was my very favorite Christmas, and I can't wait for next year.
At six months you love: flying with Daddy, your fur brothers, playing on your mat, bouncing in your jumper, reading books, bathtime, walks, twinkle lights, clapping, being outside, oatmeal cereal, your pacifiers, snuggling when you're tired and chewing heartily on your teethers.
Your six month dislikes include: diaper changes, having your face and nose wiped, getting strapped into your car seat, feeling tired, carrots and squash, teething and loud, startling noises.
We'll see Dr. Cherian next week for your well baby visit, and I can't wait to see what your official stats will be. But no measure of length or weight or head circumference could compare to our adoration for you. You light up my days and settle my nights, and I love our moments together more and more as time progresses. I gave you a new book for Christmas called "Mama's Right Here," and at the end, it says "my love is wherever you are." I read it to you every day now, and it is the most absolute truth of my life.
Happy half-birthday, my love. Mama's right here, and there isn't anywhere else I'd rather be. xoxo
Oh, how you've grown:
Oh my sweet April, that was simply beautiful! My heart felt the same for you and Matthew as you grew up and now my heart bulges with my love for your daughter, our precious Rowan!!!
Posted by: Lee Ann Brock | December 31, 2012 at 09:27 AM