Six months!

Hey Jack,

Holy cats--you are half a year old today! We just can't believe how quickly time flies. Sometimes it really feels like just yesterday that you joined us in this world and made our lives so happy. You've accomplished a lot in your short time here so far! Keep it up, dude. :)

You experienced your first Minnesota State Fair a few weeks ago. It was great fun. You just sat in the stroller and admired everything around you. And then you'd had enough, so you took a nap! Your dad has been to the State Fair ever since he was three months old, so we certainly had to start you early too!

One highlight of this month was traveling to Seattle with me, Mimi, and Poppa. We had a wonderful time, and you were such a good boy! You like plane rides. :) Next time, we'll have to take Dad with us. Unfortunately, you aren't quite sleeping through the night, so Mimi and Poppa got a taste of what our nighttimes are like at home. They were probably wishing they'd gotten their own hotel room!

Instead of going back to work as a teacher, I am taking care of four other kids so that I can be with you all day. It's so much fun (well, the "being with you" part!). You are going to be such good friends with Connor. He is only five days older than you! And Homer the dog loves to lick your face as soon as I put you down on the floor. You love doggie kisses.

You are doing so much. It's not long before you are mobile, and you will certainly throw us for a loop! You have been sitting up quite confidently for a few weeks now, but now you are almost crawling. It's crazy. You'll get up on your hands and knees and just rock. You're bound to figure it out in a few more days. Sometimes in trying, you do a nice face plant into the floor. That's not so happy.... You are still very strong for your age. When I stand you up on the ground or changing table, I really just feel like you could walk! Please, not yet honey.

The most exciting thing about you being six months old is that we are going to feed you solid food now! Mimi, Poppa, Mary Beth, and Sean came for dinner tonight and got to witness your first taste of something other than breastmilk. You had rice cereal and applesauce. We were all anticipating a funny face or a mess of food on your face, but you blew us away. It was as if you'd been eating this stuff for months. You even reached for the spoon with both hands as it came to your mouth. Yum! I've been pureeing and freezing food like crazy, so there are all sorts of things for you to try in the coming weeks.

Next week we will get your sixth month pictures taken and you get to visit Dr. O'Brien again. Yes, that means more shots. I'm sorry; it's just one of those necessary things in life!

Thanks for being such a terrific kid, Jackson. Sometimes I just can't believe how much I love you! You make our lives so full. There is always something new and exciting, and I love watching you learn and grow. Keep it up, and I'm looking forward to the next half a year!

Lots of love, dear,
Mom