Stephens' Stories: 6 Months!

Austin's 6 month birthday was Thursday, February 9. Wow, how has time gone by so fast? He is getting too big! We went to see Dr. Lisa on Thursday afternoon. Austin weighs 16 lbs 13.5 oz and is 27.5 inches tall, which is 50th percentile in weight and 80th percentile in height. These are the exact same percentiles as at 4 months. He is rolling over as he should, almost sitting up without support, blabbing, eating cereal, being curious and reaching for things, enjoying looking in the mirror and smiling, and smiling all the time. He is one happy baby! He is teething but still no sign of the pearly whites. He got another round of the shots that he had previously and also got the first flu shot. He screamed and then fell asleep in the car immediately afterwards. He did have a slight fever the next morning but tylenol helped keep that down. Dr. Lisa said it was time to try some baby foods. I was waiting until after this appointment to try out something besides cereal. So on Saturday morning, I introduced Austin to carrots. He ate them well for the first 7 bites and then he started to act as if they were yucky. They were carrots that I had made a few weeks ago with my babyfood maker (pureed with breastmilk). He ate carrots again today and same thing, about 7 bites in, he had had enough. At least he is trying them! After another couple of days of carrots maybe he will try broccoli or butternut squash or sweet potatoes.

At 6 months, you have almost outgrown all your 6 months clothes. 9-month clothes fit you perfectly. You are sleeping from about 8 or 8:30 until about 6 or 6:30 (except today you slept until 7:20- what a treat for a Sunday). You have a bath almost every night and enjoy kicking your legs in the water. We have to put lotion and hydrocortozone cream on your skin where you have dry spots. The Denver dry winters are not nice to anyone's skin. You still suck your thumb when you are tired or need some quiet time. You are still very well behaved at restaurants. Last night at dinner with Ryan and Kelly you had been awake since 3:45 and were still happy at dinner at 7:30. Keep this up, boy! Ms. Mira and your other teachers tell us you are so happy and independent. When I drop you off in the mornings, it is sad to leave you, but I know that you are thriving with the social interaction all day. Austin, I can't believe you are 6 months old. I can't wait to see how you change over the next 6 months.