Last week we visited Barrett’s doting doc, Mary Dek. We love Dr. Mary… having been with us through Barrett’s weight woes, his spit-up suckiness and his MSPI misery … she knows Barrett inside and out. It was the first time in six months that I felt confident going into see the good doctor, feeling as though we were in the clear in so many ways. Baby B once again dazzled the doc with his babbling, his giggles, his smiles and batting his handsome hazel eyes at each and every nurse who walked by {okay… I’m gushing}. In discussing his milestones, it seems he’s right in line with the average 6 monthers … transfers objects from one hand to the other, rolls over both ways, shows likes and dislikes {more dislikes}, and all that jazz.
While development proves to be moving right along for double B, it seems there’s been a slowdown on the road to weight gain. His length and head growth are in the 0% and 2% respectively but are following a consistent growth curve. However, Barrett’s big personality comes in a little 12 pound package so it would seem we have our work cut out for us in the weight department. With 6 feedings already a part of his daily routine, and one solid food, we’ve added an additional meal of solids … it feels as if we have feedings coming out of our ears, {which looks terribly awkward by the way}.
The biggest change as of late has got to be what’s going on in Barrett’s size 2 (just moved outta 1’s!) Swaddlers. When we were feeding him just one “solid” meal a day, he was rarely dirtying his dipe and the poo was pretty much the same as his breastfed bm’s had always been. BUT, now with two meals made up of veggies, meats or fruits, Barrett’s struggling and straining produces a solid piece of poo. I know you probably don’t really care what my little man’s movements are like, but I have to tell you, I was alarmed the first time I opened his diaper to find a sort of solid surprise waiting for me. I mean, how can such a little guy produce such a big poop?
I may have thought this before but I once again have arrived at a place where I feel like I am getting the hang of this motherhood thing. Barrett has actually started to nap…in his crib… for more that 40 minutes at a time … more than once a day. The days consist of a more scheduled out series of play, eat, play, sleep and I am able to find time to tidy up around the house and tidy up around myself.
Other 6 month notes… for posterity:
– Barrett is almost outgrowing his 3 month clothes
– Baby B cannot digest rice cereal or tolerate dairy as of yet but seems completely in love with sweet potatoes, squash, pears, sweet peas, bananas, and green beans
– Little love monkey likes to be outside, loves to meet new faces, enjoys reading with whomever will read to him, occupies himself with the task of removing and inserting his pacifier, seems to be entertained and interested in music, likes to be in the pool and is starting to enjoy bath time.
– Barrett dislikes being in the car too long, being alone too long and being cradle held.
– Double B sleeps from 7:30 or 8:00 pm to 4:30 to 5:30 am (eats) and then again until 7:15 to 8:15 am.
Although the last six months have been a whirlwind of learning and doing and learning again, I still am shocked each day that Barrett is our child. It’s so different from all of the other things I’ve labeled “mine” throughout my life … my shoes, my boyfriend, my car. I can’t believe what a person he’s become in just six months time and that we get the gift of watching him grow into the person that he is inside. I’ve recently told people that the next time I’m pregnant, I’m having a four month old however with each month that passes I find myself thinking that the stage we’re in is definitely better than the last. Six whole months… how sweet you are.