Dear Bunnyboy,
We went to the doctor today for your six-month well-baby visit.

The doctor says that you are 20.6 lbs (90th percentile), 26.5" long (50th percentile), and your noggin is about 18.2" around (96th percentile).

Besides the normal weigh and measure, you received a few shots today. (I think you got two of them, on top of an oral dose of the rotavirus vaccine, but I'm not really sure because I never stand around while they're poking you. I let Daddy help them with that and I come back to you when it's over to hold you and comfort you.) Generally shots don't affect you, but this afternoon you seem to be a little cranky and out of sorts, so I can't help but assume that it's the shots bothering you.

In general, though, you had a good visit. The doctor pronounced you as being "absolutely perfect." Of course, I already knew that, but it's always nice to get a professional opinion on the matter, too!

So I've been meaning to write here about some of the things you do on a daily basis that I don't think I generally talk about, but which I need to document so that I don't forget about them.

Such things are:

When you drink your bottle, I snuggle you up against me as if we were still breastfeeding. This puts your right arm behind me, but your left arm is left free to roam. You generally alternate between hugging/grabbing your bottle and grabbing my face or nose. It's extremely cute. Sometimes it seems as though that hand is independent of you and has a mind of its own because you'll be staring off into space and it'll be waving around, searching for a facial feature to grab hold of!

When you're in your walker you scoot up to the ficus and grab a fistful of plant and yank. This invariably results in your snatching at least one leaf--or a piece of leaf--off the tree. Of course, I can't tell that you've done this until I unclench your little fist and find the the leaf stuck to your hand!

Another thing you do in your walker is, you'll see someone from across the room and you'll RUN like mad towards that person and CRASH your walker into her (my) legs! You also love to chase the animals this way, but they don't let you catch them.

We play "How Big is Benjamin" and usually this elicits a hearty laugh!

We play "Peekaboo" and generally have similar results.

When we put you on the floor on your tummy you try to crawl by raising your legs and your arms and wiggling them. Naturally this doesn't result in any crawling, but it sure is funny to watch!

When you're tired or upset you suck your thumb.

Sometimes--especially early in the day, for whatever reason--if I ask you for a kiss you will lean towards me, open mouthed, and let me kiss you.

When you're tired and cranky you sometimes make what we have come to call "squinchy face" whereby you squeeze your eyes shut and squeal unhappily.

When we change your diaper these days your hands immediately go south and grab hold. (And from what I can tell, based on my experiences with your brother, this is a habit that you may not ever outgrow!)

You will play happily by yourself for 10-15 minutes at a time when we sit you up and surround you with your Boppy pillow and give you toys.

At night you enjoy watching your undersea-themed music thingy that's attached to your crib before you go to sleep.

You cry sometimes when people you don't know are in the house, but generally out in public you're sociable.

You can make 'ba', 'ma', and 'da' sounds.

When you're excited you often pant.

Tonight you tried plain yogurt for the first time and you gobbled it up.

You can feed yourself a 'biter biscuit,' but often on the way to finding your mouth you'll stick the biscuit in your ear or up your nose, which always tickles Daddy and me.

Essentially everything you do is exciting and amazing to me, and I am having such a good time watching you learn and grow. Everyday is a new adventure and I only wish I knew how to stop the clock, or at least slow it down, so that I can enjoy you that much more. I know that you have to grow up...but please, do Mommy a favor and take your time.

Hugs and kisses Funny Bunny!

Yours forever,
Mommy

It's that time again... It's YOUR BIRTHDAY!

Your SIX MONTH birthday!!

A half of a year old!

And wow! How you have changed!

This past month you've begun perfecting your pincher grasp, you're almost crawling (you're still doing this grounded airplane maneuver where you lie on your belly and put your arms and legs up in the air and wiggle, but then you invariably get up on your knees and rock a bit, so it won't be long now), you're eating all of the "first stage" veggie and fruits, you've started drinking out of a cup (just some water every now and then), you're feeding yourself biter biscuits, you're consistently sleeping through the night, you've added "ma's" and "da's" to your babble repertoire, and you're sitting up on your own (although you still can't get there yourself, someone has to put you in the position, and you'll occasionally lose your balance and topple backwards...but otherwise, you're sitting alone).

I know I keep saying this over and over, but the time is just flying! You've grown so much in such a short time. It just amazes me all the changes that have occurred since October. And I think about all the ones that are coming up. I mean, in another six months you'll be walking, talking, and eating what we eat. You won't be a "baby" baby anymore! It's just incredible to think about. And it's wonderful to watch. I'm having so much fun with you. It's such a treat everyday to see you in the morning, smiling at me from between the slats of your crib, to kiss your cheeks and give you that first morning hug.

I think I'm in love with you, Benjamin!

(Actually, there's no "think" to it, I am in love! Forever and ever...)

Daddy has put dinner on the table! Gotta run!

Love you!!!

Mommy