6 months

Dear Natalie,
You are 6 months old. I can not believe how fast time has gone by!!! You are becoming such a big little girl. At your 6 month check up, I was sure you would have gained a few pounds, but no such luck, and 4 months you weighed 14lbs 3oz, and at 6 months, you weighed 14lbs 12 oz. You went from the 75th percentile to the 30th. Yet you are still growing, and meeting new milestones each day! You are now 26 inches long, in the 75th percentile, it seems to me that you are going to be long and slender just like Carson. You still wear 3-6 month clothes, some are still too big, some fit just right, and yet other are too small already, this is going to be the toughest size for you to grow out of for me, because you have so many adorable outfits and there are hardly enough days for you to wear them all! Maybe someday we can talk dadd-o into a little sister so she can use them too. Your head measured 17 inches, the doctor says this is off the charts! Your dad says you are exceptionally smart, have to have a big head to fit your big brain!
You love going to concerts, and just like Carson, you usually squirm and fuss when the music stops, but will dance to the beat when the band or choir is jamming. You love, love, love your big brother. He also loves you very much! I keep reminding him that he needs to be a good example for you, and he trys his best to make all of your worries melt away. I hope you always look at him with those big adoring eyes, and know how excited he was for you to join our family.

You are a bit stubborn when it comes to the whole rolling over thing, you don't mind lying on your back, but you absolutely despise lying on your tummy, so usually in protest you will flip over to your back, Aunt Jenn says that even though you don't like it, it's important for you to keep working on your tummy time. I'm excited for your milestones, but I am really okay with still having an immobile baby. Just this last week, you started eating some rice cereal, and although you like it, we decided to take it a little slower because it has been hard on your digestive track after going from an all liquid diet. We also started you on green beans, you made the funniest faces! You didn't like them at all, but for some reason you kept eating them. The next time we tried them we heated them up a bit, and it seemed to be a bit more pleasant for you! I'm glad we didn't start with fruit, I don't think I could have ever gotten you to eat vegetables. You also got your first sippy cups from Santa Claus, you are very interested in drinking like a big kid, but usually not incredibly impressed when all that comes out is water, we'll see what we can do about that in the next few weeks. Many people have said that you look like a little doll, with your big blue eyes. You are a mellow, and very curious about the world around you, unlike Carson you would much prefer to face out and look at the world, it is very fascinating after all! One other big event for you, you also started sleeping in your crib finally right on your 6 month birthday! You loved the bassinet so much and liked the feeling of being snuggled, but we finally decided that with your feet hanging over the end of the bed, and the possibility that you might figure out how to roll over it was time to transition into the crib. You have done very well, and find your new sleep surroundings satisfactory. Speaking of sleep, you are a champ! You normally go to be between 8 and 9, an then wake up anytime between 5 and 8am to eat, and then go back to sleep until 9:30-10. I am so grateful for your AWESOME sleep schedule, it definitely makes me a happy mommy.

As I looked at you today, I thought how can you possibly ever turn into busy curious toddler. I know it will happen, but looking at you now it is just such a peaceful feeling knowing that you are my baby, and trying with every part of me to enjoy it to its fullest because too soon you will be a very busy bee, and snuggles will be fewer and further between, but for now I will savor this time with you. I love you with my whole heart Natalie Claire, and am so thankful that you chose me to be your mom! You made 2009 such a wonderful year, and I know that my love for you will only deepen as time goes on. Always know how much I love you, and how happy I was for you to join our family.

Love,
MOM