Moses: 6 Months Old

Dear Moses,

Welp, I started the day off with a good cry because today you're halfway to your first birthday. Time is going by so fast that it scares me. I've been feeling super guilty lately because life has been so busy that I haven't been spending as much quality time with you as I'd like. We moved into our new house over the weekend and I feel like I've had to put you in your jumparoo or bumbo more than I'd like.  The only time I've really been holding you lately is when I'm nursing you or when you're fussy and I feel really badly about it. I really do want to soak up every minute with you but having three other kids to take care of and moving has really overwhelmed me lately. Thankfully, you've been an angel baby through it all and have taken it all in stride. Thanks for being so easygoing and sweet.

One big milestone this month is that we started feeding you solid foods. My mom wanted me to wait until we took you down to St. George for Thanksgiving, but my mommy instinct told me that you were ready and that it would be rude to make you wait any longer. And boy, was I right! You've literally loved every single food we've given you and have eaten with gusto. It makes me so happy! You love pureed fruits and veggies, yogurt, cheese, baby puffs, pizza, hot dogs, and of course, chocolate. I have probably given you foods I shouldn't have, but you're just so dang cute with it all that I can't help myself. I love watching you eat!

This month, you've decided that your bottom lip is a built-in binkie and you suck on it nonstop.  I'm not even joking, you've sucked a giant blister onto it and have a big purple bruise right in the center. The only time it makes an appearance is if you're laughing or eating any solid foods. The other day, I went to nurse you and you tried to latch on while your bottom lip was sucked in. When I pulled it out so that you could get a proper latch, you screamed at me in anger and started crying! You crazy little boy! You've got to stop or you're not going to have any lip left!!! I don't know what to do about it. I'm sure it's just a phase and hopefully you'll outgrow it soon.

You're still taking 3 naps most days and your sleep schedule at night is the exact same every night, without fail. You go to bed at about 7:00 p.m., and you wake up at 11:30 p.m., 3:30 a.m., and 7:00 a.m. for the day. The 11:30 feeding is the hardest one because I never know if I should wait up for it or try to go to sleep before then. If I go to sleep, it's really hard to wake up after I've only been asleep for an hour or so. The 3:30 a.m. feeding is hard too, but not as hard as that first one. I really need to make you cry it out, but things have been too crazy for me to even make the effort to go through sleep training. We just moved into our new house three days ago and I've done nothing but unpack boxes, get beds set up, do laundry, and try to get a little bit organized before we go to St. George for Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Almost overnight, you stopped drooling buckets and buckets of drool onto your shirts. Last month, I had to put a bib on you and change it multiple times a day, but now, you're only drooling a little here and there. It's made me life easier but I also kind of miss the drool, or "sugar water" as I like to call it.

I'm so tired. Four kids has been a huge adjustment for me, especially with all the changes that our family has gone through this year. I am just so, so busy. I don't really know how to describe the demands on me other than to say that I never get a break. Thank goodness for nursing, because the only time I ever get to sit down is when I feed you. Sometimes I let you sleep on my breast because I'm so desperate for a little more down time. I know I'm supposed to lay you in your crib when you're still awake, but I need that connection with you. Sometimes our time together while you nurse is the only time I get to hold you because when you're awake, I usually have to stick you in your bouncer or jumparoo because I have so much going on.

Moses, I mean it when I say that you're the light of my life. You make me so happy. Every single time I look at you, you give me a huge grin. Your eyes twinkle, your cheeks get big, and you smile with your whole body. You're an amazing little boy and I truly feel so lucky that I get to spend my days with you. If I'm ever feeling down, just snuggling your little body next to mine and I immediately feel better.

Lots of Love,
Mama

6 Month Stats:
Height: 27.5 inches (80th percentile)
Weight: 18 lbs, 9 oz (70th percentile)
Head Circumference: 18 inches (93rd percentile)

Oliver: 5 1/2 Years Old

Dear Oliver,

Time is flying with you, my friend! I can't believe that you've been a kindergartner for months and that you're learning so much. You love going to school and according to your teacher, you're doing very well. You had a little bit of a rough start this year because you didn't know a single person at your new school. We started you at the elementary school where our new house would be even though we weren't living there yet because I didn't want to have to switch you halfway through the year once we moved into our house. You were nervous about not knowing anyone but felt a little better after hearing about the "buddy bench" on the playground. All you had to do was go sit on the bench and someone that noticed you sitting there alone would come up and invite you to play with them.

There was a hiccup however, when the bench didn't get installed in time for the first day of school. You went out to recess expecting to sit on it and have some instant friends, but ended up not having anywhere to go or anyone to play with. When I picked you up after school, you had big tears in your eyes and told me that you were all alone at recess. I was heartbroken for you because you're such a sweet, likable kid and I knew that if kids would give you a chance, they would love you! After a few days of listening to you sob after school about how lonely you felt, I emailed your teacher and asked if she would pair you up with a buddy or two at recess. I also reached out to a few moms in our new ward who I knew had kids your age. They were so kind and offered to meet up with us so that we could introduce their kids to you. They also scheduled a play date for the moms and kids so that we could all get to know each other. That meant so much to me and to you. You had a few little friends in no time and it's been smooth sailing ever since! You're such a likable guy!

You have such a kind soul. Out of all my children, you're the most considerate of others. You frequently try to make people feel better when they're sad and give genuine compliments. Most of the time, you're pretty grateful too, which is so nice. You thank me for taking you fun places, buying you fast food, and letting you watch shows. I've been trying to drill gratitude into your head for years and I feel like it's finally sinking!

Your love for TV and computer games is still out of control. You beg me all day long to let you be on screens. The problem is that there are so many hours to fill between the time you wake up to the time you go to afternoon kindergarten that you get bored, especially with your best buddy Eli gone. Screens are your go-to, all-time favorite activity. Your current favorite shows are Ninjago and Angry Birds, both of which I find mind-numbing, but you love them, so what can I do about it?

You've become a very picky eater the past few months. One day you'll claim to like a certain food that I make and the next time I make it, you'll refuse to eat it. It's so frustrating, especially when I can't seem to find a food that you'll eat! A lot of meals, I end up making a bunch of different options and it's exhausting. I am trying to be strict with you and not let you do this, but sometimes I get desperate and will do anything so you'll eat something!

You're a happy kid except when you're not. That's the only way I know how to describe it, really. There's not a lot of gray with you. Your moods are very black and white. You're either smiling, laughing, full of energy, and hopping up and down or you're whining, yelling, and emotional. I'm afraid for what's going to happen when you're a teenager and hormones are thrown into the mix! Ha!

Oliver, I love you so much. I would do anything for you. You're my little buddy and I'm soaking up having you home in the mornings during this school year because I know I'm going to be seeing a lot less of you soon and it makes me sad. Thanks for being such a great kid. I can't wait to see what life has in store for you! I have a feeling you're going to do some pretty amazing things.

Love forever and ever,
Mama

5 1/2 Year Stats:
Height: 45.5 inches (65th percentile)
Weight: 43.2 lbs (38th percentile)