Gavin (Month 6)

Dear Sweet Gav-man, You are six months old. A half a year. HALF a year. I just can't believe how fast this has gone. You were, just a blink ago... actually seven months to-the-day ago... right here with me... in me:

Taken by our dear friend and Sister-in-CHARGE, Catherine Lacey Dodd, during a once-in-a-lifetime pregnancy photo shoot.  (And, no, I am not nude!  Just an exposed belly!)
If you're looking for a photographer, hire her... she is amazing!

Six months to-the-day ago, you were in my arms... barely an hour old:

And now, today, here you are:

Aside from having your first cold, you are a healthy, rapidly growing and ever-changing sweetie pie.

You love:

- Your brother. So much. You literally try to turn your head around like an owl to find him when you hear his voice. The smiles you give him are unmatched when compared to the rest of the people in your world (possibly combined!). And, he adores you, too.

- Your sister. So much... and yet so differently than your brother. And that only makes sense. You quietly observe her and don't get too mad when she steals a toy you were playing with and squeal with delight when she gives one back. I quite enjoy the interactions between you (though I am often a referee between keeping your hands from pulling her hair, your feet from kicking her face and her from attacking each and every part of you - - just because she doesn't understand her own strength) as it all reminds me so much of when Preston played with her as a baby. I am eager to see how your relationship with her develops.

- Mommy (the milk-lady and the person you seek when you're fussy or tired) and Daddy (the fun guy).

- Bath time. Oh my do you LOVE your baths! You giggle, squeal and babble with glee when you're in the bath. You get excited when we ask you if you're ready and go crazy when you hear the water running. You even squeak in there... which makes me wish that nickname stuck. I still think it suits you!

- Being outside. You don't care what you're doing, you just like being out there.

- Putting anything and everything in your mouth!  I forgot what it's like to have a quick, determined baby in the house! 

This month, you:

- Ate your first solids... and now love your evening high-chair meal.

You were so happy to be sitting in your highchair!
(And I was so excited, I forgot to give you a bib!)

You were eager to eat, yet so very unsure about what you were eating! 
Your first solid food was a smashed banana and, despite the faces you made as you adjusted to the texture and taste, you really loved it!  We skipped the whole "cereal" nonsense... Preston didn't ever like it and I think it's smells terrible and tastes even worse.  So, I decided that subjecting you to it wasn't necessary.  Glad to know that your doctor agreed - - though I wouldn't have cared anyway!

After a few bites, Preston, on his own, got the bananas off the counter and showed, told and signed to you what you were eating.  So sweet, so thoughtful... such a natural teacher!

"Ahhh... that's better.  I like doing it myself!"

- Had another date with Chloe... and bid her farewell as her parents (and the Navy) had the nerve to move her to Virginia.



We will miss these little "dates" so much!

Your face says it all.  "Wait... What?!  Chloe's moving... to Virginia?!"
 

- Swam for the first time (during your date with Chloe) and, no surprise, you loved it! (Although you don't look like it in this picture!)

So very serious! 

- Started, in tiny spurts, sitting independently. You have gone up to 30 seconds several times before you topple over. It won't be long and you'll be hanging out like that. Sigh.

At six months you are...
15 pounds, 15 ounces and 27.5 inches

- Cut your first tooth.... just a few days ago. It was very bittersweet for mama as it means you're growing up. There is another one about to burst through right next to it. You are not enjoying teething and definitely are having some fussy moments as a result. Sorry Boo-Dee. Growing up is tough work and I hate seeing you verging on inconsolable.

You light up our worlds in ways that we didn't know were dim. You make us all see things a bit differently... as babies often do... but because you're ours, we think the effect is extra spectacular. You are a little observer and thinker... a bit more on the serious side. Yet, when you laugh or smile (which, even though you're serious, is often), you can light up a room.
You love a game of peek-a-boo and do the most hilarious head shake as a way to ask for me to shake my head and wiggle my cheeks.
You engage in copying games of lip smacking and raspberry blowing as well as all kinds of silly antics with your daddy and brother.
You also enjoy "growling" at Preston and Daddy - - a result of the hearing the "pirate" voices we think. You're constantly experimenting with your voice and incredibly observant when we sign.

You are so busy - - as evidenced in our monthly photo session in the green chair. 
I had to click quick because you were too wiggly and I was too afraid you'd launch yourself right over the chair onto the tile floor!

Though so many of the newborn traits you had are gone, I still soak you up as much as I can, trying to burn each stage on my brain. We spend our best quiet, alone time together in the early morning hours when no one else is awake. I memorize your baby face, feel your breath on my cheek after you finish nursing, and record in my brain each sound you make. And even though you've nearly doubled in size, I can, in those quiet moments, still remember what you were like when you were brand new six whole months ago.

I love you with all my heart, sweet boy... just like your sister and brother.
You complete our little flock perfectly.

~ Mommy