This Month is Such a Special One

Thomas' favorite toy in all the world

I love the month of June. But this June was a little difficult, having Thomas turn half a year old and Abigail turn three years old within a couple of weeks of each other. Where are my babies going?!? Seriously. I thought time went by fast with one child, but let me tell you - with two, it flies. Definitely feeling a lot of this right now: Slow Down

It's all too fast, people.

Anyway.

I have a little six-month old on my hands now.

It just so happens that my all-time favorite baby moment and my most dreaded baby moment both happen around six months. Most dreaded: sleep training. Even now, I can't talk about it. It was awful. Nor was it as successful as I was hoping (as successful as it was with Abigail). I've given up on having Thomas sleep well, at least for now.

My favorite baby moment: introducing solids. Oh, how I love this moment. Thomas did not disappoint.

You might not guess it based on those pictures, but Thomas really is a great eater. He always seems very horrified by any new food, but he will take it and eventually warm up to it. He gets very excited now when I sit him in his high chair.

Who needs birthday cake when you can have sweet potatoes on your half birthday?

At six months, Thomas is:
-So sweet and content. It's hard to imagine that this is the same baby who screamed through his first six weeks. He still has his difficult moments, but most of the time he is happy just rolling around on the floor, sucking his toes and babbling to himself.
-A terrible sleeper. Already mentioned it, but...*sigh*. Go to sleep, kid.
-So tall and so thin. At his six-month doctor appointment he measured in at the 89th percentile of height and the 24th for weight. The doctor read over the numbers, glanced at his naked body so thin that he barely can keep a diaper on and said, "Does he eat?" Boy, does he eat. He only looks like he's starving.
-Seriously in love with music. If he starts crying and I can't immediately pick him up (because I am taking something out of the oven, in the shower, helping the firstborn go potty, etc), I just sing a song. He will stop crying and break out into a huge grin almost every time. It's a lifesaver.
-Not at all interested in baby toys, but is fascinated by anything that could potentially kill him. I spend all day taking things away from him. No, Thomas, you may not chew on the vacuum cord! I can't tell you how many times a day I have to stop him from chewing on the furniture. And, believe or not, I've caught him gnawing on the wall more than once.

He's a good little boy and so much fun to have around. Can't wait to see what the next few months have in store for this guy!

Six months old

Happy half-birthday, little one.

Happy, Happy Birthday

At the end of March we attended the birthday party of Abby's cousin Nathaniel. There were party hats, balloons, cake, and a moon bounce. Ever since then Abby has asked me dozens of times each day, "Is today my birthday?" We passed the time dressing her teddy bears in birthday hats, making birthday cakes out of play dough and colored rice, and making birthday wish lists. She was so excited!

Finally the big day arrived! Last week Abigail turned three years old. The day started early, when Abby woke in the early-morning light to see balloons tied to her bed. She was too excited to go back to sleep! She ran out to the living room and found her first present: a tricycle! She was so excited that she hopped right on and rode around the apartment.

We could barely slow her down enough to eat breakfast, get dressed, put on shoes, and put on a helmet. Jacob took her outside for her first ride while I finished up party prep with Grandma.

We had a pretty mellow party. We invited some friends, Grandma, Granny & Poppy, and cousin Nathaniel and met up at a playground. We played simple games and ate food. It was easy and Abby loved it.

Then we came home. After naps we took another tricycle ride. Then we ate pizza, opened presents, ate more cake and ice cream, and went on another tricycle ride (notice a pattern?) Besides the tricycle, Abby's favorite gift was this doorbell doll house from Granny and Poppy. She played with it for so long that we had to delay opening all other presents until the next morning.

It was a good day.

Happy birthday, little one.