My Dear Sweet Lucy,
Today you are 6 months old. (Ok, once again it was two days ago, but we're busy people, and I hardly have time to open my laptop much less write) You're halfway to ONE. Holy moly, how does this happen so fast?
We've finally figured out your tummy troubles, after much anguish and heartbreak. You're allergic to onions, chocolate, dairy, sugar and oats. I am allergic to dairy and oats too so we're avoiding them now and frankly I miss onions more than chocolate. You poop hasn't normalized but you're no longer screaming in pain all night long so we're getting *some* sleep, but it's not perfect.
Our journey to figuring this out included a trip to the ER when we (and your doctor) were worried you had an intestinal blockage and a trip to a GI specialist (who told me to stop nursing you and give you formula. The lack of sleep and the stress made my milk supply take a nose dive and your weight gain slowed down so we're working on remedying that too. All in all, you're a much happier baby, which makes me a much happier mama.
You're desperately trying to sit up on your own, though you really do have a ways to go, when we do sit you up you fall right over. You're also trying some pre-crawling techniques, but all you acomplish is getting your butt in the air and your face smashed on the ground, but you're working on it and it's adorable. As you can see in the picutre above, you've learned to drive, but since you're teething, you tried to eat the car and that doesn't work out so well.
We've had some lovely days for being late January/early February so we've done many hikes with the family. You end up sleeping through most of them but when you're awake you sure do love to look around and see the world around you. Like your big sister Ruby you are fascinated with everything outside.
Speaking of things you're fascinated with... You are so in love with Ruby, and she is still so in love with you! Every day she wants to hold you, and she makes you laugh and smile. She also loves to pick out your clothes so don't blame me if you're dressed like a clown, blame her.
I've started wearing you on my back while I'm cooking dinner, since it's so close to bedtime that you just start falling apart. You love it. I've worn you in the grocery store, the craft store and to walk outside. Just like Ruby you love being back there, and since you only weigh about 14 lbs, I love having you back there. Ruby loves to play a game where I put you on my back then we pretend we don't know where you are, and we say "where's Lucy?" then she shouts "THERE SHE IS!" and we all laugh. Yeah, we're silly, but you'll get used to it.
They way you two look at each other is so sweet, I just can't wait to see how your relationship develops. I have a feeling you're going to be great friends, occasional enemies and constant allies. It truly makes my heart sing.
It's not all sweet and fun, sometimes you pull her hair and she doesn't like that too much, but she does occasionally steal your toys and hide them. I'm trying to convince her that you don't like it and eventually you'll retaliate.
We recently got you a hand me down exersaucer, and you love it. (Ruby loves it too and shows you how all the toys work, and occasionally gets in it when you're not, silly girl) When you're in the right mood, I can put you in there and you'll happily play for several minutes. When you're not in the mood you let me know right away. But you sure do love the new perspective and the access to toys.
All things said, you're such a sweet baby. You're happy and smiley and content. You are in 'observe' mode a lot, where you just watch everyone and everything, and then comment on what interests you (with goo and coo). We sing little songs to you and about you and they make you smile your not so gummy smile. (you got TWO teeth this month! your first two! No wonder we never sleep!)
My darling Lucy, it's hard to believe you once weren't a part of our family. We worked so hard to bring you to us and now you're here and almost daily I'm still surprised that it's true. Every morning I wake up and you're there (and ALL NIGHT LONG sometimes too) and you're sweet and you smile at me like it's the first time we've met and my heart melts. Every afternoon your sister steps off the bus and asks "Where's my lucy?" and when you wake up from your nap she runs upstairs to get you and she says in the sweetest voice "Oh HI LUCY!" and my heart melts again. Every night we sit in the rocking chair and you nurse until you're almost asleep and then you pull off and my heart is so full that I fear it might burst but then the weight of your tiny body seeps into my bones and I melt into a puddle of goo. I am yours, and you are mine and I couldn't ask for anything more.
All my love, today and forever, Mama