Happy Half Birthday, Sweet Boy!

Our sweet baby is 6 months old! I'd say "I can't believe it," but this really has been the longest 6 months ever. But as hard as it's been, it's also so so wonderful. I can't believe how much I love Carsen. There is nothing I wouldn't do for him. My heart feels sometimes like it might just burst open from love. I wonder how moms go about their days, how they have other children, how they ever can let them grow up. I get it now. I get some much that I never understood before.

He is growing and changing so quickly. His hair is now almost totally blonde. His eyes are starting to shift to a greener color than the steel blue they were. He's eating a lot; in fact his pediatrician just told us he should eat three meals a day and much less formula. (We stopped nursing shortly after his 5 months; he just wouldn't do it, kept pulling off, just wasn't interested. I cried for a week but whatever, he's happy with a bottle and isn't looking back).

He's just starting to sleep more consistently. He seemed to hit a growth spurt last month, coupled with moving, and he wasn't sleeping well. Now he's much more consistent even during the day- takes naps around 9am, 1pm, and 4/5pm although they vary from 45mins-2hrs and I never know which they'll be. I've been trying to be better at getting him to nap in his crib (instead of rocking him to sleep as much, or having him nap in his carseat) and that seems to be working. He started sleeping on his stomach, which initially freaked me out because "they" make a big deal out of putting babies on their backs to sleep for the whole first year. But he's so strong now and he scoots all over the bed. One night, I woke up to find him on his stomach with his butt up, knees tucked under, in the corner of his crib. I very carefully moved him to the center of his crib onto his back, then went to the bathroom, looked at the video monitor again and he was in the EXACT spot I'd just moved him from, exactly as he'd been. He seems to be sleeping better. And now that he's 6 months I've read that it's not as big of a deal if he flips over himself.

He had taken to waking nearly every morning at 5 or 6am. On a few ambitious mornings, I actually got up at 6am (hate!) and took him for a walk. One morning he wore this adorable sweater suit (so cute!!!); I almost missed the chance to put it on him cause it's been so warm this summer.

 

Seriously this kid is so photogenic!

We've been having fun doing some activities with our Moms Meetup group. Carsen is definitely bigger than some other 6mo olds. Our Meetup group had a summer picnic and we hung out with his friend Katie, who is three days older than him. And look how tiny she is next to him! He's just starting to notice other babies and animals; previously he'd either stare blankly or look away as if he hadn't even noticed. He squeals at the dogs now.

Macking already

At his pediatric appointment, he weighed in at 17 lbs 12 oz (50th percentile), and is now 27.5" tall (80th) with a head in the 75th percentile. He's consistent with the growth curve and his doctor said he looks good!

Okay, cute pic time...

Look how hunky Matt is :)

Carsen is so chill; he was such an easy baby at the Brewfest

love my men

We're so lucky to get to see Gramps and Grams so often

now HE's practicing his Heisman

He's so excited about crawling

I'm trying a little "baby led weaning," i.e. just feeding babies chunks (err chip sized/thin) pieces of food instead of purees

first cap

 This is a hilarious photo shoot. He'd just woken up from a nap and I thought surely I had a few minutes to dress him in this adorable plaid shirt/sweater vest/khaki pant outfit and take a few pictures before he ate lunch.

Look at this perfect pout; did he learn that from Mama?

I get him to smile for a brief moment...

And total flip out... someone's HUNGRY!! He's really developed his different cries. Ahh this one sounds so bratty :) Oh yes, and he's quite loud

And post lunch = happy baby

He is close to saying words, I swear. It sounds like he's saying "hi" to us sometimes when I or his Grams say "hi." Tonight he was saying "bbbb" "baaa" during bath time. And I keep hearing "maaaaauum" but I'm not sure if he's really trying to say "mom" (esp because I keep saying mama) or if I'm just hearing what I want to hear ;)

He JUST started teething, getting in his lower right front tooth. It's true what is said, it is not pleasant. He's been soooo drooly the last month. Since Friday though, he oscillates between a pleasant mood and being downright grumpy. He's pulling his right ear and stuffs his fingers in his mouth. I can feel the tooth starting to break through. Poor lil guy.

And... ta da! He crawls now!! (I'll try to post the video...) We are so proud but we are about to be endlessly busy.