Six-month checkup

Baby Echo,

I consistently fall behind on updates about your life. So is the fate of a second born to a working mom. On the other hand, every ounce of time I find, I spend it with you, than in the solitude of a blog entry. Only when you sleep, do I make time.

That is my justification of delayed news, though when you grow up, I doubt you'll need justification, because you know you are loved. I see it when you turn your ear toward my footsteps, in your arms and legs kicking the air, ready to dart toward me, and in your bright smile watching me come close.

Last week was your 6-month checkup. Here are your new specs:

Weight: 15lb 3oz(6.9 kg).
Height: 26" (66 cm) I think the nurse measured wrong. We'll have an update in your 9 month checkup.
Head circumference: 16"
Vaccines: All up to date.

I think your nurse hates her life, and it shows in the way she vaccinates.

You are still a thumb sucker, though not as much, you barely spit anymore, you continue nursing like a little cub, you experiment with different foods at dinner time and you scream when you are sleepy but don't want to fall trap to it while we are all up and partying. Similarly your sister Zoe won't go to bed as long as you are up. So nights are long, and the time papa and I are supposed to have to

ourselves are dominated by you two. We've created two monsters.

Love,

Mommy

First Teeth

We were having brunch at Salmon Bay Cafe yesterday. You were on my lap, all smiles, as usual. There they were. Two tiny pearls peaking out of your lower gums. Barely visible, but there. I saw them, papa saw them, Zoe saw them.

I love you.
Mommy

Waiting for yogurt

My Little Echo,

Family dinner time is no longer nursing time. You watch the plates, you watch the mouths moving as you move yours. you get excited, moving forward, arms and legs in the air, noises of rebellion coming from your mouth. I turn you to the boob, but you push away, angry and turn your head back at the table.

We bring in yogurt in a little cup and a tiny spoon, and you eat and eat. At first, you didn't like yogurt. We tried different yogurt brands and found one that you like. you didn't know to open your mouth or to swallow. Then you wanted to eat, but didn't know what to make of a spoon. you licked the yogurt like a little kitten. One day you figured out to open your mouth. If I pause for a moment to feed myself or for whatever reason, you get upset, even red in the face and lean forward for more, until the little cup is empty. Zoe comes to give you a few spoons a well. She likes feeding her little sister.

We also tested a few other foods, but for now, we'll stick to yogurt for a couple of weeks.

Your first food, though, are apples. When I eat apples,you want some too. I hold it for you and you suck it like a popsicle. But I think apples make you constipated, so we are going easy on that.

I love you so, my little one.
Mommy