6 months old!

Ivers is half a year old...

This means half a year of no sleep, no time, extra laundry, extra dishes, and doing just about everything with one hand.

It also means half a year with this little elf of a daughter and half a year of these eyes, and this smile.





Ivy's 6 months stats, from her check-up last week:

15.5 pounds-- 25%
26.2 inches-- 75%
16.1 inch head-- 25%

All was well. Dr. Mann pronounced her an overachiever as she was sitting up on the changing table when the doc walked in. (Of course we think she's behind the times as she sat about 2 weeks later than Jack-man did) The only slight area of concern is that she's got a bit of a flat spot on her head that does not seem to be in the expected location for the normal "baby lays on their back a lot" flat spot. So, we'll be taking her in to some infant head specialist to get her checked in case its a prematurely fused suture. Right now our appointment is not until January 31st-- certainly hope that if there is a concern, its one that can wait a while. Jeesh. Dr. Mann is working on getting that moved up for us.

Ives at 6 months is:

A happy girl, smiles abounding all day long, quick to flirt with strangers and friends alike.

Blue eyed. Remember when we weren't sure what color her eyes were? Those babies are blue as blue can be, and surrounded by the most amazing eyelashes. We've been accused of putting mascara on her.

A night owl. Not so big on sustained sleep at night anymore, this girl. Nor is she a fan of her crib. Still. We have at least 10 minutes of crying most nights before she gets to sleep, followed by at least 2 wakings before we feed her at 2 or so. Followed by her either coming in bed with me or trying her crib again, the latter of which leads to a few more wakings. And then mommy is up at 5 for the gym and work. It's been some long, long nights, people, and some tired, tired days. Its a good thing this little elf is so very appealing all day long or she really might be living somewhere else by now.

Here's hoping the next 6 months bring better rest for us all.

6 month milestones:

Sitting independently, with flops to the side or onto her belly only about 25% of the time. Unlike Jack, who sat ramrod straight and as still as a little Buddha, Ivy leans forward, reaches, and swims with her arms, clearing a 2 foot radius of any object that might be there.

Transferring toys from hand to hand.

Grabbing-- anything! Glasses, plates, cups, hair, dogs, brothers, brother's toys, etc...

She's pushed up onto all 4's a few times...'

Eating-- she seems to really enjoy her solids. Recent foods introduced: peas (loved them!), bananas, marinara sauce

Drinking from a cup -- she loves to hold on to my water glass with two hands and drool into it as she sips.


Today we went to Naomi and Lillian's 1st birthday party. It's impossible to think that it's really been a year since that whirlwind of a week when they arrived, 3 months too soon... Of course it makes sense as Ivy Jane is exactly 6 months younger than the girls. But still.

It was a lovely party, complete with a stunning photo montage of the twin's remarkable growth, from the 2.5 pound little creatures they were a year ago, to the crawling, giggling, cake eating babies we spent the day with today. They are amazing. Their mom and dad are amazing. We love them all so much. What a year it has been and how all our lives have changed. In the midst of the sleep deprived haze that is my life these days, I like to look ahead a few years and see the three little girls running around and giggling in the yard, with Jack and Greg and Tommy riding bikes out front and Greg and Tommy's soon-to-be siblings playing on the deck at our feet. And I like to picture the gin and tonic in my hand and the smile on my face and remember that we are heading there right now, that these are golden and wonderful years with these miraculous little people we've created. And that they'll all learn how to sleep. Someday.