I am baffled... how has it been six months already? I am convinced that with every child that comes into a family, time speeds up exponentially... and if I could, I would keep you just as you are for awhile longer.
I never really had the fear that some moms get before their second child is born. I have heard of mothers who worry that they will never be able to love a second child as much as they love the first. I somehow knew all along how capable of loving you I would be, even if I had to "share" the love with your brother, but I am in awe of how much I can love you. Boys and girls are different... I already knew that. And I love your brother to bits, but with you it's just... well... different. When you came along I just wanted to hang onto you and never let you go. I want to protect you from the world by keeping you all to myself. I want to cuddle you until you won't let me (which is what I fully intend to do) and squeeze those sweet cheeks until they turn red. You are so incredibly cute that I could eat you up... and I can never get enough. You're a borderline obsession for me, and I'm okay with that.
I think a big part of this has to do with your personality- talk about laid back! I used to say that your brother was an easy baby, and I still think that he was in a lot of ways, but you redefined what an easy baby is for me. Nothing ever ruffles your feathers and all you want in life is to be talked to and smiled at. If you do get fussy, it's usually because those things aren't happening and even if I just pass by and talk to you for a minute, your whole face lights up. And your smile is just about the prettiest thing I've ever seen... and we see a lot of it. You are so very alert and watch everything that goes on around you. I am always impressed that you can spot me from across the room and know who I am, even from far distances. It melts my heart every time. You also love to watch your brother, and he makes you laugh the most. In the rare moments (that are becoming more frequent) that he comes over and talk to you or pats you on the belly, you giggle yourself into fits. I'm still trying to catch it on video and will hopefully be successful eventually. You are truly his biggest fan and nothing makes a mama happier. We've already taken you on a long car trip and an airplane ride and you've proven to be a champ at world traveling. Aside from pooping up your back (which is your favorite thing to do apparently), we hardly even knew you were with us! You even fall asleep when you're being carried through the airport in the Moby wrap... now that's impressive!
Another "rumor" about the second child is that they get the short end of the stick a lot. While it is probably true that I do not have fourteen thousand of the same picture of you sitting in your bouncy chair like I have of Jake, you are so much more spoiled in other ways. Because I've done this before, I have parented you without fear that I would do something wrong. I have gone with my own instincts, even when they aren't "by the book." I also understand now how quickly you'll go from being my baby to a non-stop toddler, so I try and cherish the baby-moments before they're gone. So with that, I rock you to sleep just about every night, and if it spoils you to the point that I'll be paying for it later I'm okay with that. When you fuss in the middle of the night I pull you into bed with me, and you sleep soundly between me and your daddy until the morning. On many occasions, you even start out there. I know it might develop bad habits later, but we'll deal with that when the time comes. Waking up right next to your smiling face is worth it... and you smile the biggest in the morning! Someday you may not want to snuggle so I'm going to get it all in while I can. You are a night owl and generally don't go down for the night until close to 10 (which would explain why I am always exhausted!), get up around 4 to eat, and then love to sleep in until 8 or 9. You are definitely my kid in that way.
As for what you're up to these days, well, you're moving at your own pace. Another benefit of being the second child is that we're not always "pushing" you to do the next thing. Nope... there is no rush at all. For the longest time you were just content laying in one spot. There were days when I thought you would never roll over. And then on your 4-month birthday, you did it! Both ways! And you've been rolling back and forth across the living room ever since. You recently enjoy sitting up to play with your toys, but cannot get into the position on your own. You'll topple over occasionally, so we usually put the Boppy pillow behind you for support. And over this past week you've spent a lot of time on all fours rocking back and forth. I'm not quite ready to have you crawling all over the place, but it will happen before I know it.
Let's see... what else? Oh yes, those deliciously chubby thighs... we say that you have rolls on top of your rolls... and everyone loves them so much. I'm curious to see what you weigh (we have our doctor appointment this Friday) and am impressed that you are so round on breast milk alone, with an occasional bottle of formula. We've put off solid food only because you are so content with the milk, but we'll probably introduce it in the coming weeks. The only other thing you have tried is some rice cereal and peas, and you liked both. Your roundness has you wearing 9 month clothes already and I'm trying to use up the rest of the size 3 diapers so that we can move you up to 4's. Your brother is in 5's, so the thought of this is killing me. Your eyes are still a mystery color and I think they'll be gray-ish like your Aunt Mindy's. Your hair is always in your eyes, but it is a beautiful auburn color that looks red in the sunlight. As the only girl cousin on this side of the family, you're admired a lot. I feel like this will always be the case and might cause some problems in your teenage years, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, I'm okay with everyone fawning all over you... you really are that cute. You have your daddy wrapped around your finger and it doesn't help things that the only sounds you really make are "da-da." Yep, he's smitten... and it's the cutest thing ever. Speaking of smitten, both of your grandpa's and your uncles are, too... you are one lucky little girl.
Sweet angel, I could go on and on and on for days about you. You have proven that second babies are just as special and loved as first ones are, in some ways even more so. I cannot believe how in love with you I am, and that love just grows bigger everyday. Thank you for being so sweet and loving all the time. Thank you for making my day everyday. And thank you for being mine. I am one lucky mama. Happy half-year birthday, baby girl. Now do me a favor and make sure the next half goes by a little bit slower.
Forever and ever (which is how I sign letters to your daddy, and now to Jake and you!),
Mommy
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| 6 months |
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| 4 months |
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| 1 month |
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