6 months old

Axel turned 6 months on Monday. I can hardly believe that there was a time when he didn't exist, but I can also hardly believe that he could possibly already be halfway to his first birthday! I want to gather up all the clocks in the house and break them in hopes that it'll slow down time just a bit... but on it marches and bigger Axel grows. Seems like he does something new everyday- some new squeal, laugh or sound, some funny face or mannerism, or some new motor skill- reaching & grasping with purpose, bringing things to his mouth, spinning and shaking toys. Kellen had him play with a baby piano app on his phone- Axel looked very serious- furrowed brow, pursed lips, intensely looking at the screen as we wiggled his fingers over the screen- mesmerized and shocked with the affect his hand had. VIDEO.

I suppose he's still just as dependent upon me as he's always been, but he entertains himself so well and is in such a great routine, that he is not close to being a burden. My days are filled with the not-so-glamorous, but I love it. I understand now just why I had longed so much to be a wife & mother, though to be fair, he is such a good baby, he makes my job easy. If he was a colicky fit thrower who never slept, perhaps I'd feel a bit different.

 Axel is eating solids, though most of the time with much less gusto than he has for milk. That is fine, though; his pediatrician says that he should get most of his calories from breast-milk anyway, and doesn't need to eat solids more than once a day until he's 9 months old. He definitely has a preference for sweets- the fruits seem to be gobbled up in a hurry, while grains and most veggies are met with a clamped down jaw. He gets one regular meal mid-morning, something new every 3 days, and some days he'll eat with us at dinner. If he's awake while Kellen and I eat I usually put him in his highchair with us, and have started giving him food in a mesh self-feeder (pictured above, enjoying banana). He seems to enjoy it.

Axel is still a happy little guy. He is more in control of his body and voice these days. He'll stiffen his body, straighten his arms, make fists and growl/screech, not in displeasure or to be sassy, but just for fun. He'll do that while looking at me and then smile, and do it again. He'll have "conversations" making noises and laughing, we'll mimic him and he'll do it again.
He seems to be in constant motion. Even while he's nursing he has a hand going and feet often kicking. If he's being held he is usually rocking or bucking in your lap. If he's on his play mat he brings his feet to his mouth, swings his hips tick-tocking his feet, reaches for toys to chew on. He is better at sitting up, but still working on it. The next motor skill after sitting up is crawling...
I now understand the heart of the mothers I nannied for when they would get sad about their babies moving onto the next milestone- yes I'm proud and glad that he is growing and developing as he should, but he's growing up and out of the baby stage so fast, as all babies seem to do. I know I will love & enjoy him at every age/stage, but the first year is such fun- I hate to see it go!

Axel's eyes are still deciding what color to be. They say between 9 months and a year old is when it settles. They are looking hazel or green these days. His hair continues to be curly and often out of control, a bit on the long side, I fear a trim is in his near future.

He went to the doctor on Monday and was declared a well baby- everything looking as it should. He got 4 shots and an oral vaccine- cried with much gusto- a fine set of lungs on that boy! He settled down fast enough and napped hard that afternoon. Today slept til 8:30 (I woke him up) he took a 3 hour nap this morning, and is working on a 2 hour nap right now. Most days he'll take 2 good naps (1.5- 2 hours) and then a cat nap in the evening, still sleeping about 11 hours through the night. We often take that for granted, but sometimes watching a TV show, or hearing about other parents' struggles we are reminded of just what a blessing it is that Axel sleeps so well and so reliably- that with him being such a pleasant baby, good health, our lovely home and Kellen's job- our cup really does run over.

Axel's Stats:
Height: 27 inches, 68% (clearly the nurse's 4 month measurement of 28 inches was off!)
Weight: 19 lbs 11oz, 86%

One last thing- with all this lovely snow we've had Kellen has had snow days- which will be made up come summer, but it is nice having him home unexpectedly. Axel took his first trip down the hill in our backyard- laundry basket sledding at it's finest :) VIDEO