Life As Always: Dear Kiley... Six Months

Dear Kiley,

Six months have already flown by since you were born, and it seems like a lifetime ago that we were only dreaming about your sweet little face.

Now you've been a part of our family for half of a year, and we can hardly remember what life was like without you.

You are quite possibly the sweetest, happiest baby I have ever encountered. Your joy is infectious, and your squeals of delight bring sunshine to everyone around you.

You are incredibly social and love being around people, especially your big brother. You gaze at him with awe, and smile with your whole entire body whenever he is around.

Ryder loves to tickle you to make you squeal and laugh.

He also likes doing other goofy little performances to get your attention.

He's been working on helping you learn how to roll over...

And he loves to say good morning to you with cuddles and snuggles.

Whenever we put you on the floor to play, it doesn't take long before Ryder joins you.

Life was a bit more calm this month.

Grandpa, Patty, Uncle Mark, and Patrick came to our house for a family dinner to celebrate their birthdays. You and I attended a baby shower for one of my dear friends, Jillian. Her new little baby boy will be just six months younger than you, so I'm sure you'll be pals.

One Saturday we decided to head back over to Port Townsend for another beach getaway at the Bair's house. Again, we were graced with fantastic weather, food, and company. You and Ryder both had a blast.

It was a hot day, so we spent some time in the plunge pool, which you seemed to enjoy.

Drinking a bottle in the sun, poolside. Not a bad life, eh kid?

Beach walking.

Lounging on the patio with Aunt Erin.

Nana and Aunt Erin both spent quite a lot of time at our house, just hanging out and enjoying the dog days of summer.

And on August 8, your new baby cousin Kinley was born!

Kinley Madison Grace.

You're getting more active by the day, rolling around and grabbing at toys (and pretty much anything within your reach!)

Your feet finally touch the ground in your Jumperoo, and you LOVE bouncing!

You have continued to be a good little sleeper.

Up until a couple weeks ago, we were still swaddling you before bed and at nap time.

But these days you prefer to have your arms out in a simple, lightweight sleep sack.

I still love to watch your angelic face while you snooze...

Bath time is your favorite.

You're getting so big and you're super active, so we've started putting your infant bath into the big tub so that you can splash away to your heart's content without soaking the whole bathroom.

That water isn't really as filthy as it looks.

I was trying a natural colloidal oatmeal bath to help soothe your dry, itchy, irritated skin and horrible neck drool rash. You have horrible, raw, irritated spots around your ears, neck, belly, and groin. We tried everything to get it to clear up, even a prescription cream from the doctor. Finally, we took you in to have things thoroughly checked out, and lab results revealed that you were suffering from staph and strep skin infections! We felt so terrible, although you didn't seem to be in much discomfort at all. We started you on oral antibiotics as well as several different topical creams, and everything was mostly cleared up in a matter of days.

Also, your cradle cap is finally gone!

And your hair is starting to come back in, too, which makes your head look and feel exactly like a kiwi.

You still love your feet, and goodness are you flexible!

We started you on solid foods!

Big girl in a high chair!

So far you've had bananas, peaches, and pears.

Frankly, you weren't a fan of any of them. You made the most horrible faces when we tried spoon feeding you, and you basically spit out most of what we got into your mouth.

So for now your primary diet still consists of bottled breast milk, but we'll keep trying new foods until you find something that you like.

You really are just the happiest baby!

You rarely cry, and you are content to just hang out with the family, watching with intent glee at whatever we're doing.

You weren't super sure about this selfie with Daddy...

You're getting nice and chubby at 16 pounds, 15.6 ounces (66th percentile), and you've grown out of all your 6 month clothing and are on to 9 month outfits. We're working on helping you learn to sit unassisted, but so far you've just done a lot of face-planting... we'll get there! You love shrieking, spitting, and blowing raspberries, and you have perfected the skill of somehow always managing to get saliva on Daddy's dinner.

You bring sunshine to every day, and our worlds are all brighter because you're in it.

You are so incredibly loved, my sweet little angel.