Six Months Old

Ethan,

You are now six months old! I had not written to you before as I was busy with your milestone calendar, taking and sending pictures to everyone, and just plain overwhelmed with you since you came. The time has gone really fast since you were born - but it is hard to remember life without you!

When you were teeny -tiny at two and three months old we were impressed that you could hold up your head so well and even try to stand! We lived for your smiles and acknowledgment between the long sleepy stretches of your days. When you were four and five months old you learned to roll over and your hands started working really well. The sound of your belly laugh and squeals of delight ring through our days.

Some of the days and nights have been long…really long. But the memory of any difficult time we have had with you has been long wiped away with gaping gummy smiles. When you came along we thought you were the coolest, and we fell in love right away…the time since then has been spent getting to know you better and watch your personality develop.

You, for the most part, are a good sleeper. You get super cranky if you are late getting a nap…we have found that it is just not worth it to alter your routine too much. You are a very happy boy when you are well rested (just like you daddy).

You love to nurse and eat all solids - you have yet to refuse anything tried so far! We saw your stubborn streak appear last week when we tried to introduce formula in a bottle - you were irritated with us, but came around quickly. You LOVE to drink out of a cup, or my water bottle - and we love to watch how eager you are (you often end up with a red ring around you face from pressing into the cup so hard!)

You are trying to crawl. You do push ups and scoot your knees underneath you but then crumple up and face plant when you try to move forward. You’re still not coordinated enough, though each day you practice. You can sit up and roll over, and show off your standing skills…crawling has proven to be too frustrating when you can be sitting upright or protest a little and be whisked away to someone’s lap.

The cat and dog are both marvelous and hilarious to you. Cooper is a little jealous of the attention you get - but will gladly wash your face or restyle you hair for you at any time - your defenses are getting better (boxing style duck and cover). Oscar enjoys rubbing up against you and is very patient when you grab a fist full of soft fur and skin.

This month I feel like you’re on the verge of so much. You’ve started looking like a little boy to me—rather than a baby. And you’re so dexterous and purposeful with how you handle objects now. You switch them easily from hand to hand, and have just discovered the joys of POUNDING THINGS ON THE FLOOR.

Today when dad came home from work we put you in the stroller and took Cooper for a walk in the forest by our house. It was so sunny and the spring air was warm and fresh. Your sweet face had its usual look of wonder as we listened to the birds, watched the dog chase squirrels, and survey shadows on the ground from the wind tickling the trees. For you, all things are serious business and joyful amusement simultaneously - it is so fun to watch you take it all in.

Your arrival has reinforced and multiplied any intention I ever had to appreciate the simple things in life. We love you so much! My heart has never felt so big, so gleeful, so proud, as when I am looking at your face (daddy must feel the same as he rushes home for lunch almost every day to get his Ethan fix). I love watching you learn and being home with you to witness these small miraculous discoveries occur.

We are so happy you are here!