Half a year old

So a couple of Saturdays ago, Oct 9, Matthew was 6 months old. I cannot believe that half a year has already gone by. He has changed so much. All you have to do is compare his hospital photos with him now to see it. It seems just like yesterday I was going into the hospital for my C-section to welcome him into the world. He was such a tiny little angel. His cry was music to my ears, because I knew he was healthy and finally here. He easily nestled in the crook of my arm. He would wobbly lift his head to look for me or Brian. He cried whenever we took his clothes off. We struggled with nursing.




Time definitely flies and so much has changed. Now he is turning into a big boy. His cry breaks my heart when I can’t do anything for him. His legs hang off my lap when he lies across it. Now he wobbily stands up and he can confidently hold his head up to look towards my voice. He laughs and splashes during bath time. He nurses like a pro. I know that in the twinkling of an eye those cute coos he babbles at me will form whole words, those tiny little fingers that cling to my hand will let go in independence and those cute little toes will take off running.




I always heard people talk about how fast kids grow up, but I never really appreciated the truth in that statement until now. Each day Matthew is learning something new. It is amazing to watch him as he learns to bang two objects together to generate fun loud noises. It stuns me that he watches me hide the remote control and ten minutes later just when I am sure he has forgotten, he sneaks over to where it is to try to eat it. It is very funny that he has learned to blow raspberries on other people, so now when he sees skin he does it so you will laugh. He can sit himself up, and he has learned that to take a toy with him to a sitting position, he must hold the toy in his mouth so he can use both hands to push up to sit. And if he wants something on his blanket that he can’t reach, he just pulls the blanket closer. He can pull up to stand, and he is so proud when he does. He wants to stand all the time. He is also getting brave and only holds on with one hand. A couple of days ago he let go and stood by himself for about 5 seconds. He still only travels in reverse and on his belly, but I know it is just a matter of time.



At his 6 month checkup the nurse and doctor both said that he is incredibly strong, They said that he fights like an 18 month or 24 month old when he doesn’t want to do something (like have his head measured or lie down for shots). His weight is staying right on track for the same growth curve he has been on his whole life. His length is dropping off the curve. They want to check it again in a month, since in 2 months time he hasn’t even grown a whole inch. I pointed out that his mommy and daddy are both on the short side, but they want to be sure that nothing besides genetics is contributing to his short stature.

Dressing and changing him has become a challenge. It is like wrestling a baby alligator in the mornings. He doesn’t want to lie on his back anymore. He twists and turns when you put him down. I often break a sweat before we leave the house in the morning. I have to come up with creative ways of distracting him, which usually involves me looking foolish so that I can get clothes on him for daycare.

His new favorite food is Apple-Blueberry. He also likes corn, wildberries and raspberries.