Half a year!

Our little bud is 6 months old now! Actually 6 months and 10 days .  And those 10 days make quite the difference. You are surely changing and growing quickly Mr. Mack.  This has probably been our favorite month with you thus far. We are really starting to see your sweet, playful personality come out. You are just so much fun to be around.  I rarely, if ever, feel like I need a "break".  I miss you when you go to bed for the night and look forward to the morning when I get to see your sweet face and bright blue eyes. 

Physical Developments:
You are GROWING.  You have quite the cheeks.  Those cheeks are kissed approximately 3432 times daily.  That being said, you are now down to the 10% when it come to height and weight (you get that honestly) However your noggin is still 75-90%...for all that brain, obviously.  You are rolling around like crazy and LOVE being on your tummy. You can sit on your own, but only for a short time before you fall over.  You are getting there though!

Communication:
Early in the month you started clicking your tongue in response your dad (and then to others) It's as if its your way of say hi.  You always smile real big afterwards.  Now you have started saying your "B' sounds and "D" sounds clearly.  You have definitely said "Da-Da" a number of times but haven't quite associated your dad with the word :)  We LOVE hearing you "talk".  You have the sweetest little voice. You have also started reaching your arms out when you want to be picked up.  It is the sweetest to see you wanting to be held by your mama.  My heart melts every, single time.  It does make it much more difficult for me to get things done though. 

Sleeping:
Before this week, your sleeping was rough.  You were waking up every 2-3 hours.  I felt like I had a newborn again (except I was getting more sleep then).  We have finally started to see improvement though.  As of now, you are usually only waking up once or twice in a 12 hour stretch.  That is much more manageable. We are starting to get into a bedtime routine of reading you books and praying over you before you go to sleep.  Your dad puts you to bed and usually you go to sleep without much fuss. You are down to 2 naps a day (usually in your crib)  You still allow me to hold you and will even sleep on my chest.  I love cuddling you and cherish those times because I know they will be long gone soon.

Sleeping on his Pops

Eating: You have started eating solids! On your 6 month birthday, we gave your oatmeal cereal for the very first time.  You seemed to like it right away and you haven't looked back.  So far you really love to eat, and we are so thankful for that! You have only had cereal, squash and bananas so far.  I pureed fresh squash for you today and you didn't seem to like it quite as much as Gerber but that's ok. You are still nursing about 5 times a day (or more) and I'm not ready for you to give that up anytime soon.  I am totally "that" mom...but don't worry, I'll make sure you stop before your 5 :)

Don't mess with my squash!

Ok Mommy, I'm ready to eat.

Favorite moments/memories:  Pops and Grams came to visit you for a few days! You loved having them here and slept like a champ too.  You had a good long nap on Pops and had so much fun playing with Grams.  We were all sad when they had to head back to SC.
It snowed like crazy the night you turned 6 months (almost 6 inches actually).   We all had a slumber party at Gramma and Poppa's had had the best time. I enjoyed the extra hands and you definitely enjoyed the extra attention.  You have become quite the ham, loving attention and making us laugh.  You are just the cutest.
You love your dad and love when he comes home in the evening.  You always smile real big and squeeze me out of excitement when you see him. You've started reaching for him right away too.  It makes his day. 

Mack on a snow walk!

Overall we just continue to love you with a love we didn't know existed.  The Lord is using you to teach me more about how He loves His children. I can't come close to loving you perfectly, the way He does...no matter how much I wish I could.  I am so thankful that He helps us parent you and He knows exactly what you need at all times. We pray that you will love Him with your whole heart and never waiver in your devotion to Him.  Happy half a year Mack Lanier!