6 Months

Our little girl is 6 months old! 

You'll have to forgive me if I get a little emotional on this one.  It's hard to believe that this little creature-- who laughs, cries, and reaches for toys-- who takes up all of my time and energy-- who dominates my every thought-- is already six months old.

Some part of me feels like she's older.  I've loved her since I learned I was pregnant, after all.  I've cared for her-- nourished her and carried her-- for more than a year.  She was a presence in my life long before her actual birthday.  But another part of me is amazed at how fast she's growing.  Just six months ago, she was pink and red and lock-limbed, tiny and helpless and fragile.  Now she's a laughing, sturdy baby.  

As of this month, Lua is:

Starting solid food 

Standing with support

She is still not rolling or crawling, but we aren't trying to rush her.  She seems very content with her lack of mobility, preferring to watch people and interact through babbling.

Compared to her friends at playgroup, she is probably the most expressive.  She's one of the most talkative and one of the easiest smilers.  She's also, without a doubt, the least athletic by far.  Haha.  Her friends will run in circles around her.  

She's exceptionally good at:

Entertaining herself.  She can play with books and soft toys for a long time without help.

Sleeping anytime, anywhere.  She is an amazing sleeper.  She still falls asleep with absolute abandon-- with her hands straight up over her head!

She's exceptionally bad at:

Moving.  She simply doesn't care to be mobile.  We affectionately refer to her as "the blob" or "the blobfish."

She loves:

Reading.  She cries when we finish a book, or reaches for another one.

Dancing.  It makes her laugh.

Singing.  She "sings" more and more-- often in the middle of our songs or when she's left alone.

Hiking.  We go walking every day.

Holding her own spoon.  This makes eating is a special challenge.

She dislikes:

Putting her arms through arm-holes.  The worst!

Getting dressed in general.  Torture!

In general, she is a sweet and loving little person.  She is affectionate, warm, healthy and happy, which is all that we could ever ask for.  We're so grateful to have her in our lives.  I absolutely can not imagine life without her.

Happy half birthday, Lua Claire!  We all love you so incredibly much.