Landon is 6 Months Old!

Dear Landon,

I can't believe you are already 6 months old. I feel like I just gave birth to you, but that was a half year ago. In my eyes, 6 months is a milestone. When you were first born, I wondered what you would be like at this point in your life, and I have to say that this is such a fun age so far. Your personality is really starting to show, and you can do so much more.

You're such a great eater! You've been eating solids for awhile now and you've had rice cereal, oatmeal, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, pears, and bananas. You've loved everything, and I think your favorite was carrots. Unfortunately, carrots give you a terrible tummy ache, so you can't have those again until you're a bit older. I'm excited to give you more fruit and eventually meat. You have shown a great interest in what mommy and daddy are eating and drinking in front of you, and you love to touch and try to eat our drink glasses! It's been fun seeing what you like to eat, and so far you are not picky like your parents! You still love to nurse and are doing that every 2 hours, sometimes a little bit more or less.

You are a rolling machine! If I put you down for a minute, you are across the room almost immediately. You are constantly moving, playing, and exploring everything around you. You are interacting more with your toys and grabbing at everything, including mommy's hair! We're working on you sitting up on your own. So far you can do it for a few seconds, but then you either fall forward and flop backwards. You're a big boy and I'm sure it's hard to hold that big body up! Your legs are much stronger, and you can stand with someone holding you up for a long time now. Last month you could only do it for a few seconds and then your knees would buckle. You're not crawling yet, but you can either get your bottom half up, or your top half up and hold it there for awhile. Once you get the hang of doing both at the same time, we're in trouble!

You still love your jumperoo and your exersaucer, but your new favorite toy is an empty plastic water bottle. If you're playing with it and you drop it (which you like to do with all of your toys), you cry until you get it back. It's so funny to me how such a simple item entertains you, but everything is new to you and it's cool to see the world through your eyes.

You are drooling and chewing on everything like crazy! You don't have any teeth yet, but you are showing all the signs that some will be coming soon. You've recently decided you like your cold teething rings as well. You've also discovered your feet and like to put those in your mouth during baths or when you're in your crib.

You are very alert and are great at paying attention when I read to you. You like to hold one side of the book and sometimes you help me turn the pages. I hope you continue to love reading throughout your life. Your Kindermusik teacher has said how impressed she is with your attention span and your interest in the world around you. You absolutely love animals and try to pet them whenever you see them. You smile and laugh at our cat Peanut and you love petting her when she lets you.

You experienced your first Thanksgiving in November! We went to daddy's Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jimmy's house and spent the night at Granny's house. You did wonderfully, even with 2 big dogs and a ton of people and noise. You don't sleep so well at other people's houses though, just like mommy. Speaking of sleep, you are getting much better at home! You've been going to bed earlier and doing some longer 5-6 hours stretches some nights, and then other times you sleep 3-4 hours at a time and then want to nurse. Either way, it's a lot better than getting up every 2 hours like you were doing for awhile! You are also getting more consistent with your naps and you are taking longer ones.

This month, you will experience your first Christmas, which is mommy's favorite holiday. We've been reading some holiday books to get ready, and doing our advent calendar. You seem to like doing both and you love looking at the lights on our Christmas tree. You also met Santa and sat on his lap at the Westchester Mall when we met up with your friend Katie and her mom Laura. You even tried to pull Santa's beard and kick him and he had to hold you down for the picture! You're always on the go, so this was no surprise to mommy!

You are the happiest baby I've ever met unless you're hungry or overtired! You smile at everyone, and I always have strangers telling me how cute and happy you are whenever we go out. You're so easy to take out in public and people have asked me if you're always so good, which you are. You love when we make silly faces at you or sing funny songs. You are a little ticklish and enjoy when we do the Tickle Monster to you. I think your favorite though is when daddy tosses you in the air! You never really leave his hands, but you love being moved up and down. You're starting to babble a lot and it's the best! You say "bla bla bla," "mem mem mem," and "wa wa wa" mostly as well as some other random noises. You really love it when we babble back at you.

At this point we're pretty sure you are going to keep your big, beautiful blue eyes, which you got from mommy. Aside from those eyes, you look more and more like your daddy every day, especially when you smile. It's so interesting to watch you grow and change and see what kind of person you are becoming.

Stats:
You are wearing 9-12 month clothing
Size 3 diapers (Luvs)
Weight: 22 lbs. 3 oz.
Length: 27 in.

Landon, these first 6 months have gone by so fast, and I know we will be celebrating your first birthday before we know it. Your daddy and I have had a blast getting to know you and taking care of you. You are such a blessing to us and we really cannot imagine life without you. We love you!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy