I have been reading a lot about what to expect next for the Bean, and I have come to a conclusion.

“The books” the phrase I use to describe all the parenting books, blogs, magazines and other people I deem “experts” in the field of parenting. Yes, I said field of parenting. It is a career with skills that can  be learned (I tell myself this so I can have some level of confidence I can do it too). “The books” don’t always agree, but I use the pieces of information that do agree and pick and choose what seems to fit for the Bean.

“The books” say that something called “stranger anxiety” and “separation anxiety” are on their way, now that the Bean is 6 months old. “Separation anxiety” is not wanting to be away from people. “Stranger anxiety” is not wanting to be away from people she knows and trusts (i.e., Mommy, Daddy, etc.). After today’s doctor appointment and six month shots, I think I understand why it happens now (and for the next few months).

She is starting to become aware of different people. Some she knows, some she doesn’t… all are fine, because she has had no really bad things happen… at least that she remembers. Now her memory is expanding a little bit. At six months, she gets a shot from a nurse, poked and prodded by the doctor and generally has a bad experience… all while in a bad mood because she has teeth coming in (ouch!) If you only knew good people who do good things, then this “stranger” comes and hurts you, I wouldn’t trust just anyone either. Not only that, but I don’t think I’d want to veer too far away from people I do know and trust… just in case they forgot to tell you about something that is sure to suck as much as those shots.

This isn’t the answer on how to solve it… she needs the shots. But I think I am on to something.

Much like today, 1/2 a year ago, I am so very tired and so very happy.

Like today, six months ago, my baby girl was the reason I was tired. She is also the reason I was so very happy.

In a very short six months, we have changed more than I ever thought we would. We now:
– Wake up at a moment’s notice to come to the aide of a crying baby. What’s more surprising, is we do so happily. (OK… groggy, but still happy).
– I now have the ability to carry on a conversation while trying to soothe a baby, completely concentrate on whatever project I am doing while the child is bouncing in the exer-saucer. Loudly. And I can move faster than spit up — it may go on the floor, but doesn’t get on the baby or the mama… usually.
– I can do more laundry than I ever thought was possible.
– We moved… again (hopefully for the last time ever). We finally got into the main house, finished the nursery, have all our stuff here and … well, still working on the unpacking part… but it is hard to move into a house that is already full.
– I now know that I can have clothes that fit. Only a few to start… but was sick and tired of “mommy spit up” look. (Thanks in no small part to a recent ‘What not to wear’ addiction. )

In the very same six months, the Bean has:
– Almost tripled in weight (she is now 17 pounds [75th%], 26 inches [50th %], and her head is 17.5 inches)
– I no longer think I am going to starve my child because I am not making enough milk because she will take formula. I really wanted to stick to breast milk, and was stressing myself out when I wasn’t making enough (certain I was going to starve the baby). Finally, and begrudgingly, the Bean will take formula when I don’t have enough breast milk for the day.
– She is eating solids like a champ. By “solids” I mean rice cereal that is basically liquefied with milk.  By “champ”, I mean she will eat the rice cereal with hesitation, but with proficiency. The peas and carrots… hmm… not a fan. Yet. On to the new territory… apple sauce. Hopefully she won’t hate it as much as the veggies so far.
– She can stand while holding on to someone. The balance isn’t there yet, but she has the strength.
– She can sit up straight on her own without support.
– There is some scooting on her own. Not really crawling. And not really forward. When she is left to her own devices on the floor, she gets up on her arms and moves her legs. She then pushes w/ her arms and scoots backward.
– She is rolling from back to front with great proficiency. Somehow she forgot how to get from front to back (which I don’t really get). She can do it with enough effort, but not on demand.
– The whole ‘back to sleep’ idea that is pounded in the head of new mommies… yeah, Bean wasn’t listening to those lectures. Now that she can roll over on her own, she likes sleeping on her side… but doesn’t mind if she lands on her belly. The new mommy sees this and panics (remembering the lectures), and rolls her back over. “Back to sleep” I tell her… as she rolls right on over. I am seeing my future in her teen years in this action.
– Bedtime is now spent in her own room (whoo hoo!) AND, she is a pretty good sleeper (double woohoo!) Our routine is to take her to her room, put bed clothes on, read a story and put her to bed. She goes to sleep a few minutes later and sleeps the standard 8ish hours. (Except the last few nights, when she has been waking up a couple of times each night… I hope this will continue to be an exception, not the rule.)
– Hubby swears she is making multi-syllable sounds, but I haven’t heard them.
– Bean can reach for and find toys that have been dropped and grab them, before moving between hands (all good)
– We are ready for the next car seat… the expensive one because it has to be rear-facing… but we are happy with it.
–  By graduating to the new car seat, we are also graduating to the new stroller (since the old “bucket style” car seat was the seat of the stroller). We have a stroller that works, although bigger than I wish it were. (All you mommies who told me so… I now know… but thought I wanted the big one when I got it).

There are a lot of things that have also happened, but I knew they would. The one thing I want to call out is that Hubby is a GREAT father. He does everything from waking up with the baby so I can sleep, to changing diapers, continues to make dinner and generally take good care of us both.

I know I keep saying “six months”, but it is a very surreal time to me. I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by, but also realize how little time it is. Maybe it is how much has been packed into these very short six months. We have had a total of three homes, dozens of overnight visitors, and countless new experiences and so little sleep. So much else has happened related to Mount Crumpit. Sometimes I wonder if I feel like it has been 6 years… other times I think it has been 6 days. Either way, it has been great with my family.