Happy 6 Months

6 Month Stats

25 1/2 inches

13.6 pounds*

6 months passed since Camryn entered this world and believe me I know. A neighbor said what most people say, "It goes by fast," but I don't feel that time is passing in super speed. Maybe it is because I look forward to all of her other milestones she will be achieving in the future. I am not one to dwell on the past too much. I do not want her to be a newborn again; however, I cannot believe she was only 19 1/2 inches long and 7 1/2 pounds at one time.

We have officially started baby food. I am attempting to make my own. So far Camryn enjoys sweet potato and peas. However, we trialed my homemade peas and she did not appear to enjoy them as much as the single jar I bought. I chalk this up to a texture issue. In addition, she did not enjoy the applesauce I made. After some reading it appears that babies are predisposed to liking sweet flavors and the applesauce I made was slightly tart.


Over the weekend we visited the Chicago Botanical Gardens. Camryn enjoyed her time there and I am assuming attempted to help spread seed by pulling on every plant she could grab. It was a good thing no gardeners were near. She enjoys pulling anything she places her tiny hands on: grass, leaves, flowers, etc. More often than not, true to most babies, what ends up in her hands ends up in her mouth. She enjoyed looking at all the flowers so much that she did not take her usual nap.

She is becoming so inquisitive and wants to sit and watch everything that is happening. While I enjoy this inquisitiveness, I do not enjoy it when she nursing. But I will tolerate it. It seems just the other day she learned to alter her vocal pitch. We laugh at her every time we hear her higher pitched squeal.


In addition, Camryn experienced her first taste of football. We were able to catch cousin Zach's football game. Camryn did not appear very interested. Watching the football game made me glad I had a girl instead of a boy. While I am all of equality of the sexes I am not sure I would enter my son, if we ever have one, in tackle football. Cousin Zach played well and for the most part the game was amusing to watch. But the bumps and scrapes pale in comparison to the crazy and competitive parents.

While we all know Camryn's heart is for the Bears, we decided to be nice to Grandma and Grandpa Hamil.

Month 5 in Review - Giggles and Grins

Camryn's 5th month was a very busy time considering we moved into the new house on August 1st and had a lot of work to do. Camryn had no difficulties making this transition; probably because she slept in her crib for the first time as opposed to the Pack 'N Play.

• Some firsts for Camryn this month included:


• Experiencing biter biscuits -- this is how mom and dad eat a dinner with limited interruption




• Rolling from stomach to back (she rolled from back to stomach around 4 1/2 months)




• Sitting up unassisted for periods of time.




• Tasting her first bite of prunes (her digestive system wasn't so hot on rice cereal) and sweet potatoes.


• And on a sad note attending her first wake/memorial service for Michael Milem - Mom's cousin.

Camryn also bought us a riding lawn mower as an early Christmas present. We thought she purchased a lemon. Within the first days of owning it the belt required replacement (it was fun to see Dad ride down the hill and have black smoke discharge), the seat was scratched and the battery died. (Of note, if you ever need to jump a riding lawn mower you do not need to start your vehicle - don't worry we were told this before jumping the lawn mower.) After Dad made some phone calls all of the issues were resolved in a timely manner by Sears.

With the help of Grandma and Grandpa Nicholson we completed some much needed landscaping in front of the house. Though we did purchase some puny trees. Then with the help of Grandma Julie and Aunt Sam and Uncle Trace we managed to paint Camryn's room. Her room can now be referred to as the Moon Dance room in honor of the pale yellow color adorning her walls.

And I forgot to mention . . . we also just started cloth diapering. At the time of this post it has only been 3 days but so far I have no regrets. I will let you know how the first official wash goes and yes we do have diapers with #2. However, I am a little bummed as the in-home daycare we were using is closing (We do not understand why they took us on and decided to close a little after a month of doing so) and center-based daycares do not allow cloth diapers. We received some leads; however, we are eagerly waiting to hear back. More on that later.

I will leave you with a sweet little video capturing the first moments of our ice cream monster in training (thanks Dad!).