Where to start?

Dearest Lilah -

Hi, I'm your mom and I get sidetracked like REALLY easily. Do you know how many times I've written an entry for your blog in my head as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep? About a million + five. And now that I actually take the opportunity to sit here and write it, how much of them can I remember? About - million.

For now, you'll have to settle for my random and not very well written out thoughts. I hope that's ok.

Your six month check up was last Friday and the nurse practitioner declared you "Perfect." You weighed in at 15 pounds, 1 ounce and were 27 1/4 inches long. That makes you tall and thin, baby girl. Enjoy it while it lasts; that does not run on either side of our family, so if it sticks, you're destined for supermodeldom. Your strawberry hemangioma is nearly gone...just a faded patch where that scary red nuclear reactor sign used to be! And you've still got super blonde hair and blue eyes...for now. I'm still not sure the blue eyes are sticking, but your daddy is convinced. We'll just have to wait and see; some experts claim it can take up to a year before the eye color "sticks"! The NP also surprised me by declaring you had a SECOND tooth coming in! BOTH BOTTOM TEETH! And today, sure enough, the little jagged edges of two bottom baby teeth are showing through. Bless your heart; you've worn a blister on the nuckle of one of your fingers from rubbing your finger across your aching gums. You also wowed the NP with your fancy sitting alone skills. She said she doesn't even normally ask until 9 months, but thought she would ask us anyway. I guess because we aren't going in for a 9 month appointment? Anyway, she said that was really really good and she liked how strong you were. Then you had to get a shot, but we're so glad it's the last one until you turn one! And while that seems like it must be very far away, I'm sure it will be here before we know it. Lord knows this first six months has flown by.

You are still getting all kinds of attention everywhere we go. Yesterday we went to the mall, just to window shop. People in every store remarked on how good or happy or cute you were. Sometimes all three. And you are. And you seem to know when people are talking about you because you put on your little flappy happy dance show for them. One employee in the Gap said you were so "attentive," and I gave my pat answer that you're just nosey. And part of that is true - you are a very curious little girl and that is probably going to be keeping me on my toes over the next few months as you try to explore everything with your mouth! But mostly it's just something to say because what else can I say? "Yes, she's quite remarkably interested in the world for a child her age"? I mean, you just don't say that. Today we stopped by to see our favorite farmers, Chad and Amy. Amy just loves you! She has a little girl about a year and a half older than you are, but she says you are the happiest baby ever! You just let her hold you and you touched the embroidery on her shirt, and her face. You were learning her, as if you sort of remembered her and knew you might see her again.

You still really like the out-of-doors. Whenever you get cranky or upset, we go for a walk in the garden. When daddy is away, I take you outside and let you help me water the plants. You started reaching for the water yesterday, letting the spray from the hose touch your fingers. I was afraid at first you might cry, but you seemed more intrigued than afraid. I can't help but wonder if you equate that water with water in your bath. And tomorrow we'll experience an even different type of water when I take you swimming in a big pool for the first time. Oh, I hope you like it and don't cry! Swimming is so much fun!!! Being in the water is one of my very favorite things to do, and I so hope to share that with you one day, even though I hardly do it.

While we were watering today, I realized that carrying you around on my hip lends to me having to do a lot of bouncing and jostling, so I decided to put you in your carrier. As I was getting you strapped in, a butterfly came around the hydrangea bush near the car. I pointed it out to you, and you were stuck: That little white butterfly flitted all about the hosta and the hydrangeas and you watched it closer than any old bird. At one point, when you couldn't see it after it went behind a bush, you leaned yourself waaaaaaay back to try and see it. I couldn't believe it! You were so interested in that butterfly. Then it hit me: You had never seen one before. Sometimes - and it's so easy - I forget that every single thing on this earth is new to you. Sure, there is some stuff that you see every day: Cats, Dogs, Trees, Cars, People, Buildings, Grass, etc., but then there are those things that show up and it's just completely brand new. It makes each moment so special, knowing that I get to see you learn and discover these things. And then I'm ever more grateful to your daddy for working so hard so that I can be home with you to witness this. It makes it unbelievable to me that anyone could ever take this for granted - be it parents or daycare workers - because it is such a little miracle to watch you learn. And yes, when you puke on me or cry for no reason it is difficult, but for the most part, I am just so fascinated by little bitty you.

There are several words that I think you are trying to say. I think you are trying to say "Hey" and "dog" and "Lilah." One morning I would have sworn you said "Sully Cat." At best, I'm sure you're just copying our cadence and intonation and don't have much if any connection that the sounds you are making mean anything more than just being sounds. But maybe I'm wrong and you're a genius. I love you either way :-) I also thought you might have tried to give me a kiss, because you leaned forward when I was talking to you and put your mouth right up to mine, but maybe you just wanted me to hush. :-)

You still LOVE baby massage song. Whenever I start to sing it, you get a big grin. I think you definitely know that it means food is coming. One of these days I'm going to write down the lyrics, or record the song, or both so that when you're old you can hear how silly mommy is. But you like it, so I sing it, even when it doesn't make sense or rhyme :-D

You've started holding an and snuggling. That is awesome. You cling to me like a little monkey, and if I ask you do you want me to pick you up and hold my arms to you, you stick out your arms. So far, you also stick your arms out to any stranger who holds theirs out to you, too, so we've got to learn to be careful about that. :-) They all think you're giving them permission to pick you up means they can, but I'm still in charge of that, kiddo. At least for a few more years. :-)

Tonight in the bathtub, I realized you wanted to play with something because you kept reaching out for the body wash container. So I quickly gave you one of your little bath time squirty toys to keep you happy. You chewed on it's face for awhile, and then I filled it up and squirted it at you. Your face was HYSTERICAL! I can't even describe how big your little eyes were! And your mouth was hangning wide open! It was like you were thinking, "JUST LIKE MILK!"

Speaking of milk, you have gotten where you are very clear when you want to eat! You bury your head between my boobs and just kind of shake your head, as if that will magically make them appear. Of course, I guess it sort of does! The only thing that can distract you from eating is the tv, an interest of yours which I do not like but am guilty of using to my advantage. This morning I was trying to get something typed up quickly so I sat you down to watch the Today Show while I finished up. You sat there and laughed hysterically at Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera! It was just a regular little segment with them on the couch, and I don't even know if they were reporting on any news story or not, but you sure did think they were hilarious.

Daddy is working out of town, so yesterday he Skyped in to see you. When you saw him on the screen, you reached out to touch it. You ran your finger all around where his face was on the screen. It was very sweet and very sad for Daddy, who hates to leave us, but hates leaving you especially. You change so much, even over a few days, and he feels like he's missing a lot. But weekends are your special times together. I pretty much just show up when it's food time and let him catch up with you and get his fill of Lilah Love. :-) I guess people who see us on the weekend think I pawn him off on you or that I don't do anything, but they don't know how hard it is for me to even get my hands on you when he's home. :-) He does everything but feed you, and you love every minute.

And we love every minute of you.

Love,
Mommy