Six Months Old!

Claire Ella,

You're six months old already--half way to being a one-year-old! You are still our sweet, sweet baby girl, but you're growing and changing so quickly. Here are a few things we'd like to remember about you at this age:

You are a little squirmer, making it difficult for anyone to hold you on their hip. So, you're often carted around in front of us.

You growl at something you're really focusing on and really want to touch. Today it was my colorful scarf. Often, it's our dog, Mocha. You get very excited when she comes near you.

You make a sound similar to that of gurgling mouthwash when you're starting to get tired. And once you rub your little hands up over your eyes and down your nose, we'd better lay you down for a nap ASAP or we might miss our window.

You love everyone in the family, but when you're tired you definitely become a mama's girl. You get outright mad if Papi tries to feed you in the evening.

You get very chatty when you're looking in the mirror, as if you're having an intense conversation with your reflection.

You are an observer through and through. You are thus very easily entertained AND distracted. No matter how loud and annoying we think Big Sister's baby talk is, you love it. And even though we don't think having your big sister two inches from your face, poking your nose, and drumming on your stomach would be fun, you generally like it. Sophia is continually trying to dress you and do your hair. I once stepped out of the room for a second and came back to find Sophia had changed your pants. You were both just smiling away.

No one gets you giggling as much as your sister, Sophia. You could blow raspberries back and forth at each other for hours. It really doesn't take much to get you going. A little tickle here or one refrain of a silly song and you're giggling enough to get the hiccups.

You enjoy all the baby food you've tried thus far and you're very messy when it comes to eating. This might have something to do with how squirmy you are or how easily distracted you are when Big Sister is near. And she is always near, nearly sitting on top of you!

You HATE getting your teeny nose or face wiped even when you have sweet potatoes up your nose and around your eyes.

You also detest the doctor's office. We think this has something to do with how observant and super in tuned you are to your surroundings. As soon as we lay you down on the crinkly paper covering the scale or examination table, you start wailing. Unless Mama is holding you, you want nothing to do with the doctors and nurses. Let's not ever get into how much you hate your shots. The good news is, you are quickly soothed once in Mama's arms and back to your smiley self.

And your dimply smile...we can't get enough of it. We all smile brighter when your eyes light up and the corners of your lips curl to reveal those irresistible dimples.

We love you, Baby Girl!