Six Months

First of all, how is this even possible?! It feels like just yesterday we were waiting and waiting so impatiently for Noah to decide to come out of his cozy cocoon. And now he is HALF. A. YEAR. OLD. We have successfully kept this tiny human alive. Whatttttt?

I can't even put into words what Noah has brought to our lives. So much love and joy, and so much more. He truly is the light of our lives. I miss him being an itty bitty (ish) baby, but he is so much fun now that he's a bit more interactive. He has such a personality, he's quite a goofball most of the time! He's almost always happy, right now he's got 2 teeth coming in so that has been a little rough on him, but he's usually still pretty cheerful.

We've gotten into quite a rhythm and routine, and that has helped so much. It's a routine that Noah has set, we just follow it, and that's the beauty of it. But it's nice to have some predicability (or at least a general guideline... let's face it, babies like to change things up on you!)

Everyone always asks if he is a 'good' baby... I don't really think there is such a thing as a 'bad' baby. Just a misunderstood baby. I do have a lot of guilt about Noah's first couple months, before we found out he had reflux and that dairy was really upsetting his little tummy. I feel so bad that he was in so much pain for so long, and we were just frustrated, exhausted new parents who had no idea what we got ourselves into and didn't know what to do to help you. There were many nights, during his 4pm-11pm fussy time, that I would be in tears and Josh would be walking laps trying to calm him down and we would look at each other and think "What are we doing? We aren't cut out for this!" Not that we ever regretted our decision (hard to regret something you worked at for almost 2 years...), but we definitely felt so unprepared and that everything we thought we knew about taking care of a baby was useless.

I am so thankful that I was going to the breastfeeding support group regularly and that the wonderful ladies there could help me navigate what we were going through. Someone mentioned reflux and I went home and researched and sure enough, every symptom was exactly describing my baby. The doctor prescribed some Zantac and told me to cut dairy, and what do you know...we had a totally different baby on our hands! I do miss ice cream and pizza with the cheese on it, but man... having a baby that doesn't scream and cry every time he eats is so worth it!

And seriously - see that face? I'd do anything for him.

Just thought I'd write a little before the usual update...here's what Noah is up to at six months. (This is a little late because I wanted to wait until after his 6 month appointment to get his official weight and height).

Weight: 20lbs 10oz (92nd percentile)

Height: 28in (92nd percentile)

Hair: Everyone tells me it's thinning out, but I don't notice a difference. It's light and the top has a little wave that's always doing it's own thing :) 

Eyes: Brown.

Clothes: 6 months for shirts, 6-9 months for pants, your 6 month pj's are getting a little short but still fit. Gonna have to find some 9 month ones soon!

Diapers: Size 3. I think we're going to be here for awhile since you aren't growing quite as fast anymore!

Sleeping: Meh. About every other night you sleep great. Lately you've been waking up a lot from teething, you'll fall back asleep almost as soon as I pick you up but then as soon as I lay you down you start fussing again. I've got you propped up on one of my pillows and that has seemed to help a little, if it's really bad I'll give you some Tylenol but I hate drugging you up all the time! The doctor said it was okay but hopefully we'll just be done with this nonsense soon....

Likes: Sitting up by yourself, flapping your arms, playing peek a boo, playing in your jumper, crazy time with Daddy, looking at yourself in the mirror, sampling whatever we are eating (you make some pretty funny faces!), squeeling and squawking LOUDLY.

Dislikes: Being hungry, when something is just out of your reach, being in the car seat (that long car ride just did you in...)

Eating: We started solids at about 5 months because you seemed interested, but then you really didn't care much so we stopped. Started again just recently and it went much better, so I think we'll start making that a regular part of your diet here pretty quick. So far you're doing just fine on Mama's milk so I'm not too worried about it yet, and the doctor said to follow your lead.

Milestones: This was a big month for you!! You have 2 teeth coming in, you learned to sit up unassisted, you can grab toys when you drop them (if they are in your reach, still no crawling/rolling over), and can switch a toy from one hand to the other. 

Mama's Favorites: The giggles. Oh, the giggles! You think everything is funny these days. Especially Daddy! He will just look at you and you will crack up. He can really get you going some nights! It's so so sweet :) (And I'm pretty sure that would be Daddy's favorite, too :) )

Baby Things We Can't Live Without: Jumper, butterfly teether, cold teethers, Tylenol, your baby tablet.