Olivia at Six Months

Dear Olivia,

Today you are six months old. That's one half of an entire year, baby girl! How in the world did six months go by so quickly?

You've come a long way this last month, and I am more than overwhelmed, ecstatic and somber about your progress. Overwhelmed? You are not the quiet love-to-just-hang-out baby that you once were. You want to more involved – in everything. Ecstatic? You're advancing and milestoning like you wouldn't believe. And somber? Well, it's all happening a little too fast for mommy.

You're eyes have become a greenish-hazel and your hair is growing like wildfire.



You started out the month with a big bang. You're the rollover queen now. What was once a challenge is no longer that. Now it's a little bit of being on your back, a little bit of side, and a little bit of tummy. I must say that you do like your side quite a bit. It's a place of comfort for you – to sleep, eat and play, too. You're also slowly figuring out how to move around on your back by pushing with the bottom of your feet.

Your new nickname is "Grabby Grabberson". We have to be extra careful not to place something that we don't want in your hands or mouth anywhere near you. Those hands are constantly looking and searching for something to grab and examine and then taste test in your mouth. I love watching you do this as you get so excited and then you appear to get this "thinking cap" face on as if to say, "What is this? Why does it feel this way? Let me taste it and see if I can figure it out." You appear deep in thoughts that only you know. I remember one evening while we were at the dinner table, and you were grumpy sitting in your bouncy seat. I put you on my lap while I ate my dinner. Suddenly, my fork and plate went flying because you got your hands on them. My plate fell on the floor, food first, and I sat there with my mouth agape because I couldn't believe what happened. You were delighted by your feat while I sat there in astonishment.



Speaking of food...we introduced you to some new, exciting flavors this month. Fruit. Namely, pureed bananas and apples (applesauce, really). You love bananas like you wouldn't believe. Applesauce is another story. You like it, but that taste puts some pizzazz in your mouth. Once the spoon hits your mouth and I pull it away, you get this surprising look on your face. You pause for five seconds, look like you're in shock, and then your mouth stays open like the spoon is still in there. You seem to say, "What the heck is that you just put in my mouth??" Then, you start moving it around in your mouth and the flavor sits in, and you happily swallow (most of the time, anyway). However, each individual bite of the applesauce repeats in that same way. You can't get over it.

You've almost mastered sitting up straight this month. At times, you can do it for a pretty long time, and at others, you just fall right over. Sometimes when we have you in the sitting position, you see something that makes you excited and happy, so you kick your feet, and that throws your balance off. It's so extremely cute, though, watching you wobble from side to side as you attempt to control and keep your body upright. I know that it is something you want to be doing, as it makes you feel more like one of us, and more involved in the action of things. I give you a couple of weeks on that one until it is second nature.



We took you on your first camping trip this month where you were labeled an "unhappy camper". You complained most of the time, but you did still manage to sleep through the night, which was a relief to us all. Your father and I thought that it was a combination of items and not the camping, which we hope to be true. You're at the age now where you're ready to start moving around and want to do it so badly, but can't do it. You're also teething (we think). You're used to your standard routine. You were completely out of your element and you let us know all about it. We did have some fun times regardless, and we took you on many walks in the wilderness, dipped your feet in the creek, and took you to the Big Sur beach for the first time. I give you props for being a trooper because I know how camping can be at times. We are looking forward to next summer when you will be running around with your sister. I know you are, too.



This last month I also had a big scare with you. If I didn't know already how much you meant to me, I definitely had a reality check on July 24th. I know that you are so little, helpless at times, in fact. It can be hard to be depended on at times, but I know how much you need that, and before I know it, you'll be your own little person. I always want to protect you, and I think I have done okay with that so far. When I thought I just might and could possibly lose you, my heart broke into a thousand pieces and it took a long time, even after I knew you were okay, to put back together.

I probably can't say anything more than I already have said about you and how much I care about you. Just know that I love you...and always will. I enjoy every single moment with you.

Love,
Mama