Arden's 6 month Check Up

Arden had her 6 month checkup today on her 6 month birthday! That's right we've kept her alive for half a year! Yay! Wow, I can't believe it's been half a year since we had her, that's crazy to me. The doctor was impressed that she hasn't been in for any sick visits yet, but warned us that she may get sick in the coming months. She gained exactly 2 lbs since her last visit- she's up to 14 lbs. 15 oz. This weight actually dropped her down into the 25% for her weight (meaning that 75% of baby girls her age are heavier), but the doctor was not worried, saying she never really chunked up like some babies do. She did say though that it was probably a good indication to start ramping on the solids. So in about a week we'll start with fruits and veggies in addition to the cereal. Should be interesting. She has gotten better the past 2 nights with swallowing, but not great and it's still a huge mess, so I don't see this putting weight on her very fast anytime soon. And now I understand why babies get baths EVERY night around this age because she has been covered head to toe with rice cereal.

The highlight of the checkup for Arden was probably the discovery of the mirror next to her on the examining table, or rather her "twin" in the mirror. She's noticed the mirror before but this time she was reaching out to herself, and giving herself high fives and even kissing the mirror and her new found twin. It was really cute.

She did get more shots at this checkup, not her or Mommy's favorite part at all. But she was a trooper, and only cried for a little bit and then was good. Then she fell asleep on the car ride home for her morning nap before Mommy & Me yoga.

Arden's 1st "Meal"

So Sunday night Arden had her first "meal" of rice cereal mixed with breast milk. The current practice is that babies start solids between 4-6 months and we decided to wait until 6 months. It just seemed like one more thing to do, so we weren't in a rush. We got her a feeding chair that will take her from now until she's like 3 or so, one of the ones that attaches to a regular chair. She was pretty indifferent to the whole food thing, except the fact that she wanted to eat the spoon. Not the food on the spoon, just the spoon. I think she might have indirexctly eaten maybe 1 tablespoon of actual rice cereal, which is fine. It's all about learning "how" to eat for the next month or so, rather then the actual quantity.

Daddy Giggles

So Arden is definitely a smiley baby, but she's not a over giggly baby. However, she has a soft spot for her Dad. And I think she likes his beard tickling her. Pretty consistently she giggles when Dave does his changing table routine and blows "raspberries" on her neck and tummy. I've tried but she doesn't react the same for me. This is a short version because by the time I got the camera to record it, they'd been at the giggling for a few mintues. It's a special father-daughter moment.