@ 6 months

At half a year Clara...

Sits. She starting sitting supported with her hands around 5 months and now sits all on her own- with only the occasional sideways tumble.

Chews on everything. I keep thinking she's teething. But according to her pediatric dentist (Dustin) there are no signs of teeth erupting yet. (These teething rings are awesome.)

Loves her daddy. Used to be scared of him and cry when he came home in the evening. Now she lights up when he walks in the room and smiles huge at the sound of his voice. If I didn't have milk I think she'd chose him.

Is doing much much better on reflux meds. We're figured out an appropriate dose of Zantac and how to actually get the medicine in her. (Takes perfect timing and coordination to squirt it in the side of her mouth just before she latches on to eat.) Less pain, less spitting up, less gurgling and hiccups... we're all happier!

Began sleep training. After sleeping great for a few months she decided it was fun to wake us up all night long. So we've started a modified approach to sleep training. We go in and comfort her every so often, but she stays in bed and we let her cry it out for a while. First we conquered the bedtime waking. Then the middle of the night eating. And currently we're working on eliminating breastfeeding before naps (this has proved the most challenging and resulted in the most screaming- but it's also helping her reflux so I'm sticking with it). Her nights are far from perfect, but we're back to 10-12 hour stretches pretty regularly. And she still sleeps peacefully swaddled in her Woombie.

Started solids. (documented here) It's only been a week but she's chowing down on everything I've offered. (So far only fruits and veggies- avocado has been the biggest hit.) She also loves taking sips of water from glasses or her sippy cup (although we don't permit much of it because she doesn't technically need water yet).

Still breastfeeding. 5-6 times a day. Still takes her forever to eat- like 30-45 minutes. Is this normal? I thought they were supposed to get quicker with age. I suspect she could be faster but she likes the comfort it brings. I think she'd nurse all day long if I let her.

Joins me at the gym. She's finally old enough for the childcare at the gym. (Just in time for winter, thankfully. I've been taking her running in the stroller but it's starting to get COLD.) She did great on her first day... she just hung out in the exersaucer and stared at the other kids.

Likes it when I sing. I started singing while nursing her at bedtime to keep her awake longer. It worked great for a while... her eyes would pop right open and she'd smile. Now I think it lulls her to sleep. But I still get big smiles. She obviously can't tell that I sing off-key. 

Still won't roll from back to belly. I think she could if she wanted to. Every time we plop her on her tummy she immediately rolls onto her back. So proud of our lazy girl.

Stats @ 6 months + 1 week...

weight: 15 lbs. 10 oz. (~40th %)

height: 26 inches (~60th %)

head circumference: 44 cm (~90th %)

from above

View of Chicago from the top of the Hancock tower...

 Facing east over the lake towards Navy Pier.

 Looking South.

Southwest. (Trump tower is the tallest on the left and the Sears/Willis tower the tallest on the right.)

To the west.

And north towards our home. 

And a few other photos taken over last weekend (my parents were in town again- my dad dropped my mom off to stay with us on his way to San Diego)...

We tried the famous Lou Malnati's deep dish. Sorry Chicago, I love you, but I think I'll stick to thin crust from now on.

At some point I started letting Clara take sips of our water at dinnertime. (Probably because I felt bad that she had to stare at us eating.) Now she gets so excited about it... I can't refuse her (most of it usually ends up on her shirt, anyway). She won't take a bottle even if she's starving, but a tall glass of water- anytime.

she eats!

age: 6 months (- a few days)

first food: sweet potatoes

now eaten: green beans, pear, avocado

we couldn't hold off feeding her a day longer. she had started grabbing for our food and making munching noises when she'd see us eating. she was so excited that first night she practically attacked the spoon...

and on video...

I'm determined to make a mini food-lover out of her!

our bunny

We took our baby bunny* to the ward party (we're lame and didn't bother to dress up) and out trick-or-treating for her first Halloween. The neighborhood behind us was decked out and crazy crowded- I've never seen anything like it- you could barely get down the sidewalk between all the superheroes, vampires, and strollers. Clara was on the verge of falling asleep (hence the lack of smiles), but Dustin was determined to collect himself some candy. There are a few perks to this parenting thing...

*Ever since she was born I've called Clara my little bunny (not sure what inspired the nickname), so it was the obvious costume choice.

(Church gyms provide such beautiful backdrops for picture-taking.)

Notre Dame

byu v. notre dame 10/20

Dustin had been looking forward to this day for months. He met Rich and Devin (who made the drive all the way from Richmond!) in South Bend for the game. Since I wasn't there and didn't even watch the game (see excuse below*), I swiped the captions from the photos Dustin posted on Facebook.

*Clara and I stayed in Chicago and spent the day shopping with my girlfriends... pretty fair trade I'd say.

Obligatory stop at the Hall of Fame.

"Touchdown Jesus"

The Boys. Next year hopefully we'll have some more additions from our Richmond Crew.

The Admissions Building where we squished like sardines to listen to the trumpeters blast the iconic ND fight song and lead the march over to the stadium. This was College Football at it's most pure form, unforgettable experience!

The grotto-where ND students go to pray/light a candle before games and exams and stuff.

Throngs of fans (probably 20k-30k) following the marching band to the stadium. First time I ever thought a marching band was kind of cool.

View from our seats. Incredible atmosphere, very nice fans, classic fall football weather, great game even though we lost. Nearly perfect bro trip.

in the Fall

Autumn has arrived and Chicago looks more beautiful than ever. I snapped some shots around our neighborhood when we went on a walk the other day. There are some huge gorgeous homes on the streets around us (our awkward old place doesn't quite fit in).

And now some random pictures from my phone (which explains why I'm not in any of them)...

I finally convinced dustin to wear Clara in the carrier... (He complained that it makes him feel pregnant but I think he secretly loved it!)

Urban pumpkin picking...

And these are of Graceland Cemetery across the street... (We've taken several strolls among the gravestones. It's massive (you can drive through it) and serene and supposedly contains a few famous dead people. I just haven't figured out who.)