Half Birthday!!

Brooke,

Happy Half Birthday, Ladybug! We have now spent half of a year loving you, our sweet girl. In these 6 months, you have changed so dramatically. When we brought you home from the hospital, you were a tiny little 9.5 lb bundle, relying on Mommy & Daddy to take care of your every need. Now you're pushing 24 lbs (maybe more) and such an independent girl. You've started rolling and scooting all around the room this month, and just this week decided to start pulling yourself up on things. If you want something, you now know how to get yourself to it. You're also eating so many new & exciting things - pretty soon you'll be ready for table food! Here's what you're loving and hating at half a year old:

Favorites

Puffs - We introduced you to puffs this month, your first non-pureed food, and it was a huge hit! You gobble up the little sweet potato puffs. You can't get them into your own mouth, but you like to push them around on your high chair tray (inevitably pushing them onto the floor) and gum them when we feed them to you.

Clapping - You think it's so funny when anyone claps. The noise immediately captures your attention and the motion is just so exciting for you. You haven't quite learned how to do it yourself, but we're sure it won't be long!

Books - You have always liked reading books. You get this very serious look on your face whenever we read them to you, like you can't quite figure out why we aren't turning the pages faster or something. They have a new benefit for you now: a chew toy. Anytime we give you a book now, it goes straight into your mouth. Apparently books are yummy :)

Bumblebee Song - You love this song! "I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, won't my Mommy be so proud of me?..." We learned the hand motions for it from your cousins and you love it, especially since there is clapping involved.

Ice - It has been an unusually hot summer so far. You really enjoy the cool sensation of ice. We've stopped down at the concession stand at the pool on our walks for a shaved ice treat a few times now and you're in heaven :)

Biting - Oh how you love to use those new teeth. Yikes. You will bite down on anything you can get your hands on. Your new favorite things to chew on are celery, the diaper bag straps (random, I know), and Mommy (we've had a few talks about this - it's one of Mommy's Not-so-Favorites!)

Light Fixtures - This one is hysterical. You are fascinated by lighting. Lamps, recessed lighting, chandeliers, you name it. If it glows, you're a happy lady. Whenever we have you in our bed with us, we laugh so hard watching you take inventory of all the lights in the room. You move your head back and forth between the lamp on Mommy's nightstand and then the one on Daddy's, occasionally glancing up at the ceiling fan light. This sometimes goes on for several minutes - your head goes back and forth like you're watching a tennis match. So so cute!

Not-so-Favorites

Sitting Still - You are a mover & a shaker now, Miss Brooke. Sitting still is so last month. You hate when we try to contain you or hold you down because you're just so curious about your surroundings.

Diaper Changes - What a little wiggler you have become! Diaper changes have become quite a challenge for Mommy & Daddy because you squirm so much. You instantly try to flip onto your belly when we lay you down. It takes twice as long to get the new diaper on you now, unless we provide you with something to chew on to keep you still.

Wearing Shoes - This is kinda a Favorite, too, as shoes are an instant toy when they're on your feet. You immediately start trying to take them off when we put them on. Yesterday you successfully got all of your toes out of your sandals, but couldn't work the strap at the top. Maybe when you start walking you'll appreciate them more.

Boredom - You need constant stimulation. We'd say that's because you're just so stinkin' smart, but that would be bragging. Oh, who are we kidding, it is because you're so smart. You always want something to look at/hold/play with/chew on. Now that you're so mobile, you can take care of this for yourself most of the time. Car rides would be very rough if it weren't for the mirror on the back of the seat; it gives you something to look at - you!

Mommy has spent a lot of time today thinking about the day you were born and how much joy you instantly brought to our lives. It's incredible how one tiny lady can make our days brighter and our dreams sweeter. We can't wait to see what the next 6 months will hold, how beautiful and strong you'll be when you blow out that first birthday candle. Honey, we love you more today than yesterday and we'll love you even more tomorrow!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy