Letters to Valor: 6 months

My dear Valor Zeal,

Happy half birthday, my baby boy! Six months in, and you're rockin' life so far. You fill our hearts with so much joy. You're a calm and relatively "easy" baby. You're still and content most of the time. The other times, you're smiley. You blow raspberries. You throw your head back while breaking out in the gummiest grin that permeates your entire face and body. You don't vocalize often because you're such a relaxed baby, but when you do, you growl, as your daddy says, like a dragon. We think you're developing a raspy voice - SO cute. Sometimes you squeak too, with warbles that sound like "ahhhh." This all emerges when we chat with you, play peekaboo with you, lift you high up in the air, and blow raspberries in your neck and belly. You experiment with your voice while jamming your fingers and anything within reach into your mouth: Sophie the giraffe, your Skwish rattle, car seat mobile, the pacifier. You leave behind long trails of drool in your wake.

You've honed quite a few milestones this month. You now sit up unsupported for a lengthier amount of time before toppling over onto your face or side, mostly because you get so excited you throw your head back in glee. You love to stand supported with your exceedingly strong legs. You roll over adeptly both ways, twisting onto your stomach or back with speed and ease. When you're put down to sleep, you tend to roll over onto your right side or onto your tummy to sleep. During daytime play, you don't roll around very far though. You roll around once or twice, but pretty much stay in the same vicinity. You love observing the world around you from your tummy. Your big sister often plays next to you. She fascinates you to no end with her flurry of activity and boundless energy.

You nurse every 3-4 hours during the day, and about every 3 hours at night. You average 3 naps a day: a short morning nap, a long afternoon nap, and a short evening nap. You prefer snacking during daytime feeds, which may explain your frequent wakings at night to nurse this month. That, coupled with sleep regression, contributed to your waking up 3-4 times every night this month except for 2 nights, where you slept a 6-7 hour stretch. You fall asleep just fine on your own without any sleep crutches, so we know you've been waking up hungry and needing to nurse. I'm hoping that once you begin solids today, you'll be able to sleep with a fuller tummy and longer stretches for your own (and our) contentment. You're a healthy babe, regardless. You started wearing size 3 diapers this month (partly because we ran out of size 2s). You wear size 3-6 month clothes and size 2 shoes. You're probably about 16 pounds, which we shall confirm at your 6 month appointment next week.

Six months have passed by so quickly. God constantly teaches me how expansive my heart can be, because I feel as if it grows in love for you every day. Your daddy comments that this is the sweetest stage of babyhood. I have to agree. You are a cuddly bundle of sweetness. We are enjoying your babyness so much. You are our delight. Keep growing, sweet little one. We are here for you every step of the way.

Love you so,
Mama

P.S. Valor Zeal at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 months. Plus, his birth story.