Yesterday, you turned 6 months old - one half year. I remember the first few days after you were born, just like the first few days after each of your siblings were born, everything was a bit overwhelming. The best advice I can give any first time Mom is that no matter how much reading and preparation you think you have done, you have no idea until that baby is staring you in the face. Like literally, no idea. With your brother, I definitely had zero idea. I had some idea with your sister. I had a decent idea with you. But still, those first few days, as much as your heart is exploding with every coo, every slight opening of eyes, the work is hard. I knew too much this time around. I knew that the nights ahead would be long, I knew that establishing nursing would be tough, I knew that integrating you into our crazy household would take time. I remember saying to your Dad that I just needed to get to 6 months - at 6 months, I felt that things would have settled down again. And honestly, I wasn't wrong. Here we are, at our milestone and things are fairly calm. You are definitely well integrated into this family and eating and sleeping have long been established.
I kind of feel like we are in the calm before the storm around here. I'll explain. You are at the age where you still sleep (a lot), but while awake, can definitely entertain yourself with the help of a few strategically placed contraptions. We pretty much rotate through the exersaucer, jolly jumper and play mat. You love them all and can spend as long as I will allow reaching, batting, gumming and bouncing your awake time away. The beauty of it all though, and the reason for the "calm" is that you still stay where I put you. Besides a bit of shifting and pivoting on your play mat, your toys and your immobility contain you to one place. Tis no better a thing than a happy baby who stays in one place. The storm that awaits us is when you can move around and all of a sudden the death trap that is our house will become a real threat. What do I mean by death trap, you ask? Well let me tell you. It starts with Lego, thousands and thousands of pieces of Lego, continues with a bazillion places to climb and ends with 2 other children who know how to open (and leave open) the basement gate. Yes, it's going to be a learning curve for us all. For all of these reasons, I will love this time and soak it in as long as I can. I am in no rush to get you to the mobility stage. No rush. Hear me? NO RUSH. Stay put for as long as you like, little one.
This past month we said a definite goodbye to your acceptance of a bottle. At first, I was upset and frustrated, as taking a bottle means that I can have a bit more freedom and a break from time to time. But shortly after, after I really thought about things, I realized that it doesn't really matter if you take a bottle or not. I have decided that I don't care. Yes, when the time to wean comes it will make things a little harder, but for now, I promise, it really doesn't matter. For one, where am I going? I have no weddings in Mexico (unfortunately), which is the reason I needed your sister to take a bottle. Secondly, I have three kids. Yes, it is true. And when you have three kids your list of social activities tends to be quite short anyways. And lastly, this is the last time of my life where I am going to have a nursing baby. Even if I nursed you another 2, 3, 4, 5 months even, I am never ever going to do this again and that is a-ok by me. For now, it's you and me, my girl. The time will come to part ways (at least eating wise) and that's ok by me too, but for now, we come as a set.
We celebrated Christmas over the past month, and just like most things in life, I don't think you had any clue what was going on. That being said, you were as joyful as always and put up with the chaos and business that is Christmas. I can only imagine the difference in you by next Christmas as each year with your siblings is better than the last. I imagine that next year might be the typical "more interested in the wrapping than the presents" year which is one of my favourites.
Ok, lady - just in case you haven't picked up on this yet, you are just the best baby ever. When you are done nursing, and it's just you and I in your room, I sometimes hide in there with you for a minute or two longer. I can hear the crazies being crazy outside your door, and even though I know I should go supervise their craziness, I can't quite make myself get up. We have mini conversations (me talking, you grunting), read a quick book, and enjoy the quiet (or at least the muffled craziness) for a few minutes. Can you keep a secret? It's often my favourite time of day.
Here's to you at 6 months new.
Love x6,
Mama
xoxo
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