Six months old

Happy half-year birthday, my sweet Taylor-cakes! My girl is six months old today. And looking at pictures of a brand spankin new Cora Michelle, I have to concede the my child is no longer a newborn. She’s a BABY. And now that Taylor’s been out of my belly for six months, why in the world am I not fitting into my skinny jeans yet? I blame the cheese and the peanut butter. Or maybe it’s because I don’t want my daughter to have the only thunder thighs in the house. My protective momma-bear instincts have already kicked in.

Yes, a newborn she is not. She’s a happy, healthy six month old baby, as proven by the doctor this morning. My daughter’s new stats are 19 pounds, 4 ounces, and she is 27 ½ inches long - Still placing her in the 95th percentile of all six month olds. All of her clothes have 12 month tags and she wears a size three shoe. We actually had her feet measured at the shoe store, and then they tried her shoes on her. Like a real shopper. It was a significant milestone in her fashion history. And last week she moved into stage three Pampers Cruisers. I’m pretty sure the next step up is underwear.

Last week we had a few friends randomly drop by and as soon as Taylor saw them she got the frowny face and threatened to cry. I was immediately concerned that I was raising a timid crybaby, and my sister also encouraged me to socialize her. And while I’m not quite ready to drop her off at the YMCA daycare, Paige and I decided to force her and Elliot to play last week. And while it took Taylor a minute to warm up to Paige, she immediately went after Elliot. Pretty aggressively, actually. So my daughter’s more of a bully than an introvert. Great.

This month saw a lot more action and physical maturation. I’ve already noted that Taylor’s scoots and rolls her way around the nursery, and now that she can sit unassisted, she is so content just sitting and playing with her toys. And I love watching her try to figure out her toys, what buttons to push and rattles and shake. You can actually see her thinking, and I know I’m a bit prejudice, but I’m pretty sure that my baby’s a genius.

And yesterday morning, after two consecutive nights of not great sleeping, Chris brought Taylor into our room early-early and I just fed her in bed. And after we got done nursing, we snuggled under the covers with both of our heads on the same pillow, and I just sat there and kissed her forehead while she babbled and cooed. Mamama. Dadada. And after each adorable outburst, she would look up at me and grab my face. And I can say, without hesitation, that it was one of the happiest, most fulfilling moments of my life. And if this is the amount of love that I have for her after only six months, I’m pretty sure my heart is going to explode by the end of the year.