6 Months

Dear Jack,

Today, on the 6 month anniversary of your birth, I find myself waxing nostalgic for that day in August when your Daddy and my lives were forever changed. Do you have any idea how much we love being your parents? Don't get me wrong, we loved life before you came along, but there is really nothing better than every day with you.

To say "you've changed" this month is quite the understatement. You have reached so many milestones and are headed straight towards toddler and away from baby. The day after your 5 month anniversary, you sucked on your toes for the first time. A few days later, to your Mama's shock and horror, you "exerted your will" for the first time by looking straight at me and yelling when I took your toes out of your mouth to finish your diaper change. It was a reminder for me that even though you are precious and "perfect" in so many ways, Jack, you are still a sinner. And even as a sweet little baby, you are in need of a Savior. I pray that as you grow, we will always be able to point you to Jesus and that you will have a humble spirit before Him.

On January 22nd, you sat up without any help for the first time. You quickly excelled at this and within two days could be trusted to not topple over. By the end of January, we noticed that your dark blue/gray eyes had officially changed to brown like your Daddy's. Speaking of Daddy, we cannot believe how many things are emerging that are just like him. Every single time you see a bright light indoors or get too much sun in your face, you sneeze uncontrollably, just like him. This month, you have become incredibly ticklish all over but especially your arm pits, back, and groin. It's hard to give you a bath because your trying not to be tickled. :)

And two weeks shy of being six months, we gave you your first food, avocado. We decided to skip the puree phase and go straight to full solids as part of the baby led weaning method. The idea is that you would remain in control of feeding yourself and get to explore tastes and textures on your own. We can't believe that in two weeks, you have gone from barely being able to get a piece of food in your mouth, to devouring all kinds of food. You are a very adventurous eater and will try pretty much anything. The only food that you have seemed to dislike has been applesauce and yet, you just keep on eating it over and over again.

In our lives, Daddy just finished his last derm interview yesterday and our rank list is due next Wednesday. It's hard to believe that one month from now, we'll be finding out where we will be living for the next four years. What adventures lie before us! :)

We love you so much,

Mama and Daddy

You LOVE:

Your green teething dinosaur

Your yellow crinkle dog

Eating solid foods for breakfast and dinner

Bath time

Mary Poppins Songs - Stay Awake and Feed the Birds (they calm you down every time)

Being naked

You HATE:

Being left alone

Having to wait for meals

Being on your tummy (still)

Our favorite new toy, although in this one you look a bit shell shocked

Check out those chubba wrists

Do you know how much your Daddy loves you?

January 31, 2012

First food - avocado

Hmmm...you want me to do what?

Sad avocado boy

And a few days later... he's eating like a pro

The sweetest face I ever did see

For your half birthday celebration, we thought we'd take a hike

Two videos: Eating applesauce and tummy time