6 Months!

Dear Landon,

Today you are 6 months old! I can't believe half of your first year is over. When I was rocking you to sleep last night and you were cuddled up in my arms and holding tight to my fingers, I got a little choked up realizing that time is passing and you won't be content to snuggle in my arms forever. The days of a hug from mom making everything in your world better are numbered, but we're trying to enjoy every one of them!

This morning you had your check-up with Dr. O. You always give her several of your signature sideways smiles and she calls you her "handsome little man". You also threw a few coy smiles to the nurses and have quite a little fan club at the office. You've grown since your last visit. You are now 27" inches long, which is between the 50th-75th percentiles (you had been hovering in the 25th). Your weight is up to 17.5 lbs. which put you in the 50th percentile, down from the 75th. Dr. O says that's because you're more active now (and yes you are!). Your head is still huge at 45 cm and in the 90th percentile; Dad considers this to be proof of your brilliance. You used to hate getting naked at the doctor's office, but now you seem to revel in the freedom to pooch out your belly as much as you want- you proudly showed it off to the nurse when she weighed you. You were very patient while the doctor examined you and very brave when the nurse gave you two shots- you didn't even cry! You were chewing on your bib at the time, so maybe that served as a leather strap to help you cope with the pain. Or maybe you're just easily distracted.

Lately you've been refusing to sleep and making your mommy and daddy very tired. It's been hard on everyone in the apartment (and probably the entire building)- even Lilly the cat is distressed. Last night you were up almost every hour, and it turns out something was wrong! You have an ear infection. While I was very sorry that your ear hurt, I was happy to find out you weren't just trying to drive us crazy. You now have some medicine and should be feeling better soon.

Month 6 was an exciting one for you! You found your toes and think they're the silliest things ever. You also figured out how to eat off a spoon. Sometimes you forget and spit the food everywhere, but I'm pretty sure you're doing it on purpose because you smile while you spit. You love carrots, squash, peas, green beans, pears, and peaches. You hate bananas, tolerate sweet potatoes, and projectile vomit after eating applesauce. We're going to start you on Stage 2 foods soon; every time we have your rules somewhat figured out, the game changes. You've become a pro at rolling from front to back and like to play a game at night where you flip over and cry until one of us rescues you. You look like a turtle on its back, flailing your arms and wailing. We're hoping you'll figure out how to roll back soon. Your other big accomplishment has been mastering the art of the tripod-sitting position. You still fall to the side after a few minutes (I blame your 90th percentile-sized head), but your endurance has been steadily improving. Your new move is to sit, bent forward, hovering over your belly with your arms out like you're flying. It cracks us up. You've discovered Lilly and find her endlessly entertaining; you like to pet her soft fur and sometimes she even lets you.

The past month also brought your first Christmas celebration- and even though you weren't quite sure what the day was all about, you knew it was a special one. The wrapping paper was fascinating and you loved all the attention from your grandparents and great-grandma (and mom and dad). Last weekend Mom hosted a brunch and you had eight lovely ladies fawning over you- you had no idea how lucky you were!

So Landon, in spite of your continued refusal to sleep through the night, and your remarkable ability to attract rare medical ailments, you are an absolute delight, and mommy and daddy can't imagine their days without you. We love your smiles in the morning, your cuddles at night, and the joy you find in the ordinary things around you. The past six months have introduced a new range of emotions- higher, lower, and deeper than we'd ever experienced. Our lives our infinitely richer and our laughter more frequent because of you. Happy 6-month birthday little guy!

Love,
mommy