So How Do You Say That?

Dear Patrick,

You’ve just turned six months old and you’re becoming such a big boy! Half a year. Already? Wow, how did that happen? You’ve changed and grown so much. Daddy doesn’t even think we should refer to you as a baby any more. He says that you were a baby when we brought you home - now you’re a boy. And a happy boy at that! You flash a smile when you see me or daddy and even sometimes squeal with delight when you see Sadie, Ranger or Nala (you don’t see much of Kiki – I think she’s terrified of you).

You had your fourth cold last week, along with your first ear infection. While we were at the doctor’s office, we found out that you weigh 18 lbs, 3 oz. Wow! You’re almost too big for your infant car seat. It’s supposed to go through 22 lbs., but you’re feet are almost at the edge so I’m pretty sure you’ll need to be in the convertible car seats before then.

You’re wearing size 3 diapers and still a few 6 month outfits, but mostly 6-9 and some 12 month outfits.

You’ve been eating solid foods now for about six weeks and you love it! Grandma Krueger was at our house when you tried your first bites of rice cereal. Since then you’ve tried apples, bananas, pears, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, oatmeal cereal, and now peas. Pears are clearly your favorite so far! We’ve been doing mostly homemade baby food so we know it’s healthy and you’ll get to try lots of new things. I think mangos will be next. Or maybe apricots. Or some kind of berry.

You’re drinking at least 25 oz. of formula each day (Enfamil Gentlease) and sometimes you have a little bit of apple juice. We tried the sippy cup a few weeks ago, but you weren’t ready for that yet. Nothing came out and you were just getting frustrated. We’ll try it again soon to see how you do.

You’ve also started sleeping through the night. Thank you. Daddy and I really appreciate the extra sleep. This started shortly after you started eating solid foods. You’re still going to bed around 8:30 or 9 (after dinner, bath, bottle, and a little cuddling/rocking with Mommy), but now you usually sleep until at least 5:30. You still take a nap each morning and afternoon.

No teeth yet, but I think they could be coming any time now because you drool – a lot. Some days you’ll even drool through more than one bib. And everything finds its way into your mouth. You like to chew on wash cloths, your burp rags, toys, your fingers, my fingers, my hair, etc.

Sitting? You’re getting there, but you still topple over fairly quickly so we have to stay close by to catch you. Sometimes I think you fall over on purpose so you can roll (front to back and back to front) and scoot on your tummy. I’ve even seen you get your tummy up off the ground briefly while you’re on your hands and knees so you’ll be crawling very soon. Daddy and I better get the baby gates up!

You love to stand! You’ve been supporting your weight on your legs since you were about four weeks old, but you just keep getting stronger and stronger. Now you love to bounce up and down when we hold you in a standing position. You must have a lot of muscle under those chubby little thighs with all of the bouncing you do.

Since you love to bounce, you absolutely LOVE the Jumperoo. You also love to read (eat, lick, chew) books, drop rattles and other toys on the floor to see how many times Mommy will pick them up, smile at each other in the mirror, and watch the kids at daycare.

You also like to go shopping with Mommy. I take you out of the car seat and carry you so you can look around. I absolutely love to see your eyes get big as you absorb the world around you. You make lots of friends wherever we go – the ladies love that smile! And that hair. Did I mention your hair? You have these adorable curls up on top in the back. They’re getting kind of long and some days they look a little wild, but they’re the cutest. Daddy wanted to cut them, but I haven’t let him do it yet. You also have one little curl on each side. Oh. So. Cute.

You’re such a sweet, happy little boy and your Daddy and I love you very much. More than words can say. I’m so glad I get to be your Mommy. Happy Half Birthday, Patrick!

Love,
Mommy