Half Birthday!

I have NO idea how it happened, but Jason and I woke up this morning with a SIX month old!  That was by far the fastest six months of all time.

Hardin, at six months, you are absolutely the joy of my life.  You are quite the ham, and know it.  It is crazy how much you have matured in the last few weeks.  One day you were laying around kicking at things, the next day you were sitting up and trying to get into everything!  I know it's just a matter of weeks (hopefully months) before you are mobile, and the real fun will start.  We don't have your six month check up until next week, so for now, here are some unofficial stats.

• According to the pass-daddy-the-baby-while-he-stands-on-the-scale method, you are 18.4 lbs.
• According to your mommy made growth chart, you are somewhere around 25-26 inches.
• You still eat 5 bottles a day, every three hours.  We offer 6 ounces, you rarely eat that much.  This is well under the amount the formula charts say you should eat, but you are growing just fine.  We have tried more ounces less often a few times now, but it just doesn't work for you. 
• You still spit up a lot.  You'll go days and days without the first little bit, and then it comes back full force.  Doc says as long as it's not bothering you and you are growing, she recommends not putting you on medication and letting your body develop on its own. 
• You eat one stage 1 jar of fruit or veggies during the day, and a bowl of cereal made with formula, mixed with 1/2 jar of prunes for dinner.  You just finished your box of rice cereal, so tomorrow we will start mixed grain.  You'd eat prunes all day if I'd let you.  
• The only things you haven't loved are bananas and peas.  You'll tolerate about 1/2 jar of either, but are not wiggling your head with your mouth wide open like a little bird as you do with squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, pears and prunes. 
• You have yet to roll over 100% on your own.  You absolutely hate being on your tummy, so you are in no hurry to roll there.  
• You still sing while we rock you.  I'll try and video it again soon, it is just so sweet, but much louder these days.
• You have one tooth that is literally showing, but still not through.  I had no idea teething took this long, I sure hope the little thing gets on its way and leaves you alone.  Unfortunately, the one next to it has started to come in also. 
• Your nighttime sleep is amazing, 7:30ish to 7:30ish.  We rock you and sing a couple of songs, and put you down awake.  You play for a little bit and nod right off, normally without a bit of fuss.   
• Your daytime sleep is okay.  You still take 4 naps a day and we rock you to sleep for most of them.  This is mostly because Gigi puts you down for naps and is not crazy about the slightest little bit of fussing.  With everything that woman does for you, I wouldn't dare insist otherwise.  We've tried less naps, but that doesn't work for you either.  You get so grumpy if you are up for more than two hours.  You go down about an hour and a half after eating, and nap about 45 minutes to a hour.  You wake up for 30 minutes, and then are ready to eat again.  Your longest awake stretch is before bed.  We don't try and keep you on this schedule, we just watch for sleepy cues, and put you down.  We realize we are insanely lucky with your nighttime sleep, so we are perfectly content with 4 shorter naps as long as you need it. 
• You are fine when daddy and I leave to go to work, but the second we walk in the door, you want both of our undivided attention until bed time.  When I say undivided, I mean there have been many nights where one of us feeds you in the glider and the other sits on the ottoman holding your hand.  You just squeal and cry if either of us leave the room, and watch out when Jason goes to the gym.  I think it's half that you love us so much right now, and half that you are tired and clingy by the end of the day.   
• There are few things that make me happier than your chubby little legs in knee socks.  Smile ear to ear!

You are Simply the Best, as daddy would sing in his best Tina Turner voice, and we love you SO MUCH!  

When I get you up from your nap the ears on that bunny are soaked.  Poor little gums. 

Your half-birthday present (a shower gift I've been stashing until I thought it wouldn't scare you).

This was about 7:30am, still looking a little sleepy!