Torsten - Six months old!

Torsten, 

You are SIX months old!!!

I don't even want to admit that you are half of the way to being one.  That just doesn't seem possible.  I have loved every single minute of the past six months and I know I will enjoy the next six (I just wish it would slow down a little bit!).

How you have changed in the past six months...

- Your eyes are no longer blue, they're brownish-green.

- Your hair has gotten fuller and longer.  I think it's also turned a little bit darker.

- You no longer just lay there or stay where I put out you.  You can sit, roll over from front to back and back to front, get up on all fours to rock, and have pulled yourself up to standing twice!

- Even though you are still very laid back, you have found your voice and know how to cry when you need to.  You smile and talk, giggle and scream, too.

- You've learned a few tricks!  You shake your head "yes" and "no" on occasion.  You jump like crazy when we put you in your Johnny Jumper.  You hold toys and love to drive cars like your brothers taught you or give dolls kisses like your sister taught you.

- You weigh 24 pounds 15 ounces and you are 28 inches long.

-  Regardless of all the weight you've gained, you can grab your toes and bring them to your mouth.
- You are more aware of your surroundings.  You have recently started crying when I leave the room.  You hold your arms out to me when you want to be picked up and held.
-  You give hugs and kisses.  Your two favorite people to hug and kiss are your sister and your best friend Nolan!

- You no longer need to wake in the night to eat every two to three hours.  You usually sleep about 12 hours a night and wake only once to be fed.  You moved into your crib from the bassinet around two months old and you love your bed.  You put yourself to sleep by moaning and groaning and when you wake up in the mornings, you talk and play until I come get you.

-  You were in Newborn size diapers when you were born and you are now about to go into a size 5.  You started in 0-3 month clothes and now you are in 18-24 month size clothes.

-  I'm slowly introducing foods and you've enjoyed rice cereal made with breastmilk and homemade apple sauce.  You also love to snack on Mum Mum rice cakes and drink water out of a sippy cup like it's going out of style.  I have also given you apple slices and frozen peach slices in a mesh feeder.  You are able to hold your own water cup and even know how to tip it up to get a drink!  You hold your mesh feeder and crackers, too.

-  You no longer poop every diaper change!  You go about once a day.  I'm trying to use the cloth diapers on you, but I have no clothes that will fit over them!  So it makes it harder to use.

-  I don't leave you very often, but last night you had your very first non-family babysitter.  Ideally you were supposed to stay asleep while I was out bowling with Daddy, but you woke up to play!  You did fine with a stranger.  You are a friendly guy and love to smile and talk and play with anyone.

-  We retired the swing and a bouncy chair.  You still sit in your exersaucer, usually when we're eating breakfast and dinner, and love to play with all of your toys.

-  You still love the water! I now give you baths in the kitchen sink.  You love bath time and get really excited when you see me turn the water on.

I'm sure there are many other milestones that I'm missing, but my time on the computer is short these days!  We love you, Torsten, and I absolutely can not imagine my life without you.