Hank @6 Months

Do all mothers fall more in love with their babies every day? Is 6 months some sort of magical moment in their development. What is he trying to say with all that babbling? These are the questions that I am pondering during Hank's 6th month.

Now that sitting up is old hat for him, Hank has really been developing his holding, reaching, twisting and vocalizing skills. He still hasn't started crawling, but is pretty close - he holds his belly up in plank position and can get his knees down, but hasn't quite figured out the next step. He is working pretty hard at it, and I expect it to happen any moment. In the meantime he has added growling and grunting to his verbal skills - along with laughing and whining. It's been quite a busy month!

And then there's the peas! After two weeks of plain cereal, last week we added peas. At first it was not a big hit, but I finally figured out to mix them with some cereal, and he started to rather like them. This week we added avocado to his repertoire, again, not a hit at first - but today as his second day of them, he seemed to enjoy it. The faces he makes while eating, especially trying new foods are hysterical! I end of laughing all by myself - feeling a bit silly - but having a great time. We are still trying to get the hang of the sippy cup - he loves to chew on it - especially when it is cold out of the fridge - but doesn't seem to really drink anything.

More and more I just love being with him, watching him do stuff, hanging out with him. Seeing his personality develop is amazing - he has been working very hard on playing with his books, and as Terry remarked, often becomes quite engrossed in what he is doing. So much that he seems to find us annoying if we stop him during his activity. When engrossed he is quite serious - this learning and developing is important stuff - and if shoving Sophie the Giraffe in your mouth is an important aspect of it - then I am all for it!

I do find myself totally wondering if the traits he is developing now will last into his adult life. I seem to remember that Morgan was a pretty quite, watchful, relaxed baby - and he is now a quite, watchful, relaxed adult. It's fun to think about and ponder as he plays with his feet! He loves to laugh - and has spent quite a bit of time this month regaling us with his hoots and giggles. Last Sunday I visited by new mom-friend Lone, she is a Danish kitchen designer who lives in the neighborhood and has a daughter who is 2 months younger then Hank. While we were there he was having a little nip at the breast, and started farting, with each fart he would laugh, then I would laugh, then he would laugh again until we were just a hopeless giggling mess. It was a riot!

I've been carrying him in the ergo carrier so much we hardly ever use the stroller. It's just so easy to strap him on and go - but I'm not sure how it will all work once it gets cold. So far I've just tucked his feet under my coat and it's been fine, but once ugly wet windy weather arrives, we may go back to the stroller. I do love carrying him - he gets all snugly when he's in his carrier - and I love being so close. It seems like the motherhood dilemma. You want your baby with you, close to you, yet, there is much that you cannot do with him like that - type for instance - once he figures out that the keyboard is fun! Also, as much as he loves to be held, he wants to move, wiggle, dance, twist, knowing that you will be there waiting when he is done. It's like a dance you do together - now apart, now close. Trying to get the rhythm right is the trick! I hate it when I feel like we are not in sync. Those days, yesterday was one, are harder. I see how much sleep is an important component of all of this. For the wonderful election night - yeah!!! Obama! - Hank slept through the whole night! Then the next night he woke up at 5:30 and would not go back to sleep! And last night we were good - one wake to eat at 4:30 - a peep at 6am and awake right on schedule at 7am. I wish I knew what made the difference - because having 8 hours makes me feel so great! and waking at 5:30 does not!