Where did half a year go?

6 Month Stats

Weight: 18.2 lbs = 86%

Length: 26.5 in = 76%

Head Circumference: 17.2 in = 82%

Teeth: 2

Movement: Crawling like crazy and sitting without any support. She does not like to sit still!

Words: None yet, just a lot of babbling

Clothing: 9 months with the exception of some 6 month shirts

Diapers: Size 3

Eating: Approx 4 oz bottle at 7 when she wakes up, a bottle before her morning nap, some form of solid food such as pureed green beans or sweet potatoes for lunch, a bottle before and after her afternoon nap, more solids for dinner and then a final bottle before bed. 

Nighttime: Liv goes to bed around 7pm but is still waking up around 3:30 or 4am, at which time I breastfeed her, then she goes back to sleep until 7am. Most nights we do have to go in her room and replace her pacifier 1-2x.

Day Sleeping: Typically we get 45 mins to 1 hour of a morning nap and anywhere from 1.5 -2.5 hours in the afternoon.

Likes: Solid foods, puffs, the stroller, planking (see below), standing with assistance, swimming in the pool or splashing in the tub, jumper or exersaucer, chewing on toys

Dislikes: Getting diaper changed, going to sleep

New: Waving, trying to pull herself up, biting on toys and letting them hang out of her mouth like a dog

How can it be that my baby is six months old already?  The doctor on Monday said her motorskills are excellent.  I'm scared to think how quickly the next six will fly by. 

Falling in love with Fall

Hello September!  This is one happy momma that we are entering my favorite season, Fall. There are so many aspects to love about this time of the year that it is hard to narrow it down but here it goes:

Weather - In NJ the summers are hot and really humid, the spring is typically rainy and unpredictable and the winter is bitterly cold. However, fall is just perfect. We still get amazing beach days in September and early October without the hectic chaos Summer brings to our tourist town.  The autumn breeze allows for windows to once again be opened for perfect sleeping conditions at night.  The crisp air is refreshing and invigorating and certainly welcomed on my part.

Halloween - I have always enjoyed this holiday for the additional perks it brings such as hayrides, pumpkin picking and of course pumpkin carving.  This year is extra special since it will be Liv's first Halloween.  Her costume has already been purchased.  She will be the most adorable kitten you have ever seen thanks to Potterybarn.

Carmel Apples - I already have my eye out in the food store for when they stock the shelves with this delicious treat. 

Fireplaces - The smell of a fire is warm and comforting since I grew up with a wood burning fireplace in my childhood home.  Also, fall marks the return of bonfires.  Who doesn't enjoy roasting marshmallows to create s'mores? 

Boots/Clothing - There is nothing I love more than throwing on a comfy sweater/cardigan, leggings and a pair of boots.  I have already purchased some new sweaters for the season in anticipation.

Added Bonus - Plus I will be going part time beginning after Labor Day, so sayonara Summer.

First Night Away from the Baby

It is funny how much as parents we stress about our first night away from the baby.  As a mom you worry/prep for hours on end leading up to the big day to discover the only one traumatized by the whole event was you. So our first night away occurred last weekend when my husband and I had a wedding to attend in Philly.  Liv is five and a half months old and stayed with my sister who watches her two days a week anyways.  So, I am pretty sure Liv thought is was just another day at Aunt Bean's.  And honestly the days she is there are absolutely amazing b/c the kids entertain her and she naps 2x as long as anywhere else including our own home. Lately Liv has regressed in sleeping.  She use to sleep through the night but now she has been getting up 2-3x.  But don't you know she slept through the night for her Aunt Bean during our getaway.

Anyways, we hit the road like two carefree adults.  During our drive I didn't have to continuously climb in the backseat to find a bink or feed a baby a baba.  Added bonus we were finally using our gift card to stay at The Rittenhouse.  I doubt many first time parents get to spend their first night away at a five star hotel. Needless to say, I could get very use to the luxurious accommodations. Not only that, I don't remember the last time I was able to leisurely shower, do my hair and makeup and get dressed without stopping to tend to Liv. 

Our wedding was simply divine.  The food was impeccable and I danced the night away.  I can't lie though, we spent a good time looking at pictures and videos sent to us of Liv. The night however did not go off without a hitch.  Unbeknownst to him, my husband lost his license, credit card and our room key getting out of the cab at chruch.  Thank goodness there are still nice people in this world.  A kind soul found all his belongings on the street corner and called our hotel to notify someone.  He even went the extra mile to drive them to us at the reception venue.

Being a nursing mom can be difficult when you have events to attend sans baby.  I had planned on taking my pump to the wedding with me but it was just to much to carry.  Plus I didn't want to be the woman awkwardly sitting in a stall pumping at the reception.  So I pumped right before walking out the door for the church and then held out as long as possible before calling it a night to go back to the hotel and pump before bed.  We had a wonderful uninterrupted nights sleep and woke up nice and early to get on the road home to pick up our girl.  Could not have asked for a better first night away.