+ Sniffle +
I was just going back and looking at some of the pictures from the baby shower our family and friends held for us less than 2 weeks before you were born. I look at my little baby belly and it's so hard to believe that was you in there! I look at the room before you lived in it and it seems so plain, so impersonal - even though it's not technically all that different now. But now it has memories, warmth, months of midnight feedings in the dark, tears and laughs... It's like the difference between a house and a home. And that's all from you. I remember how I felt that day, how excited and nervous, and really just lost I felt! I had no idea what I was really getting into, and in some ways I still don't. But to see the little clothes you've actually worn (and even outgrown!), to see the excited looks on my face and daddy's, and how happy everyone was to see us just makes me teary. What an amazing change in just six months.

+ This week +
This is World Breastfeeding Week. Congratulations to anyone who has ever tried to breastfeed, and to those who will. It's not the be-all, end-all, but it's an excellent first start for your beloved infant.

+ Oh, yeah +
Incidentally, in 18 days you will be SIX MONTHS OLD. That simply cannot be possible.

+ No worse for wear +
You're still fine today, thank God. Of course, you fell asleep around 7 last night which was nice... until 4 this morning, when you decided you were awake for the day. (Don't get excited, readers. She woke up at 12:30 too. Heh.) Oh, well. Fortunately, I took myself to bed around 8:30 so I wasn't too tired.

You are squealing and "talking" SO much, it's amazing. You're not babbling as early as I was, but you're way ahead of your daddy. In fact, you're much more physically advanced than I was at your age, but behind your daddy. It's weird how much you're a mix of both of us, and ending up right on target. I still think you're kind of petite, but you are so filled out it's really neat. You've got these great thighs - I call them your thunder thighs. :-) I'm such a nice mommy. I like them, though, so it's not a negative thing.

Anyway, we're still working on sitting and crawling. And food isn't too far away. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to worrying slightly less about whether or not you're getting enough food from me. The thunder thighs should indicate I have nothing to worry about, but the disapproving attitude of your daycare folks (well, Maria anyway) always makes me second-guess myself.

+ Fall down, go boom +
We had another Mommy Panic moment this morning. I fed you and placed you in your carseat, which was sitting on the big ottoman, while I gathered my stuff together to go to work. I was getting my lunch and I heard your incessant babbling turn to screaming. I ran in and found you face down on the carpet in front of the ottoman. I am such a horrible mommy! I didn't imagine you'd do your stiffening thing and fall right out. You cried while I held you, but really got over it pretty quickly. After a thorough examination of your legs and arms and head, I think you were just fine. Scared more than anything. When we went to actually leave, you tried to do it to me again, and I had trouble actually fastening your carseat because you wouldn't sit still.

Mommy Lesson #569: Do not place baby in a carseat without latching it, even if baby seems sleepy and content. Seems like an obvious one, but clearly I need some help grasping the obvious.

+ Twenty-eight +
Saturday was my 28th birthday! How old I am getting. :-) Really, I'm still young, but when I look at you and think about how much life you have left to live, well... it makes me feel old. That's okay, honestly, it's all a perspective thing. Daddy gave me a lovely Italian charm bracelet, with hearts for him, a smiley face for the doggie, and a cute little pink baby foot for you. It's so pretty. I think you'll really like it when you get older. I'm hoping one day to get you one too.

You were in such a good mood this morning, all kicks and smiles. Very cute. I was a little worried about you yesterday and Sunday. Sunday you started this random crying like something really hurt, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was. You continued doing it off and on through yesterday evening. When I got you home, I took your temperature, and it was very slightly elevated. After investigating as thoroughly as possible and still being at a loss, I gave you a little baby Tylenol. Within 1/2 hour, it brought your temp back down and you were happy albeit a little drowsy. We did our bedtime routine and you slept great. You haven't had a real crying jag since.

This morning, I woke up and pumped the right side since it was painfully full... I got 5 ounces out of one breast! That's never happened. I probably could have gotten 6 or more, even, but the bottle would only hold 5 before the pump valve was submerged in milk and the pump stopped working. I didn't get another bottle, I just gave you what was left (plus the other side) when it came time to feed you. I wish I could have that happen every morning, but I won't count on it.