Quick Update - 6 month visit

Charlotte had her six month well child visit on Monday.  I can't believe she'll be six months old on Saturday!  I'd like to spend a little time reflecting on the past six months, but it's crazy busy at work, so that will have to wait.  My last week of work until January!

As expected, our baby is still super long!
Height: 28 1/4 inches - 100th percentile
Weight: 16 lbs 12 oz - 70th percentile
Head: One huge noggin!  Haha, just kidding. Somewhere in the 70th percentile. (17 inches?)

Because Charlotte is one tall baby, we need to buy a new carseat.  Her little feet are already sticking out, which provides her with great amusement as she kicks the back of the seat over and over again.  We're going to find one that can be both rear-facing (this is required until she is one year old and 22 lbs) and forward-facing.  Any of you out there have recommendations?

I talked to her pediatrician about whether or not Charlotte needs to eat when she wakes up at 3 or 4 in the morning.  I've been feeding her, but she falls back asleep in about five minutes, so it didn't seem like she's all that hungry. The doctor thought that at this point she's just waking up programmed to eat, so we should try just comforting with a paci or back rub.  We did that on Monday night and although she woke up twice in the night, Chris was able to get her back to sleep with the pacifier.  I actually woke her up at 7:30!  (Of course, I was in a lot of pain, but a small price to pay).  Last night, she was up a lot, and was actually talking to herself in the middle of the night until we inserted the paci again.  She woke up at 6AM and I decided to feed her at that point.  This seems to be going well, so far.  Next up my goal is to finally wean her from the swaddle blanket as I'll have two straight weeks off of work and won't need as much sleep.  Let's hope two weeks is long enough to break that habit!

I was also informed that I should be feeding Charlotte solids three times a day!  I know that Linda at daycare feeds her, but I've been very inconsistent in feeding a solid meal everynight.  Oops. (Don't worry, she's still getting plenty of liquid food).  On that front, Charlotte has gotten much better at eating solids.  Sometimes she downright enjoys herself!  So far, she's tried sweet potatoes, mashed bananas, applesauce, and avocado.  We'll be trying carrots and peas next. 

Here she is enjoying some avocado.  Some even got in her mouth!

Introducing Solids: Big Fat Fail!

Tuesday night, we finally had everything we needed to start introducing solid foods. Yes, I made the ridiculous decision to order baby spoons and bowls online (I was ordering other stuff and just had to get that $25 free super saver shipping on Amazon!), so I've been waiting for them to arrive. I realize that I could have just driven over to the drugstore and bought a rubber-tipped spoon for a dollar, but what's the fun in that? We also were waiting for a Bumbo seat that a lady in the Greenhaven Moms' Club graciously decided to give to us. Charlotte's not quite ready to sit in a high chair yet, but the Bumbo, what fun!

Okay and let me clarify.  By solid foods, I mean semi-liquidy rice cereal. Yum! I sure do wish I were a baby again to eat rice cereal, not!

Wait, where was I? So we had the seat, the spoon, the bowl, the cereal, we were all set to go. The Problem? Our little Wiggle Worm. She didn't want to stop twisting and turning the entire time! Either Chris or I had to sit behind her and hold onto her arms to prevent the twisting. And although she was really interested in the brightly colored baby spoon, she didn't quite master the whole eat and swallow thing. Instead, the cereal just spilled out her mouth. I guess Charlotte has to figure out how to use her tongue to bring in food as opposed to just pushing everything out. I'm not really sure is she actually managed to swallow any of the cereal. First attempt: big fat fail! I guess we'll just keep trying.

Oh, and the funniest part? Chris getting totally freaked out by the rice cereal that went everywhere but inside Charlotte's mouth -- on the Bumbo, in Charlotte's hair, hands, neck, shirt, you name it! He wanted to wipe up after every bite spit, so I spent most of the time trying to convince him that it's okay if cereal gets everywhere. This must explain why Chris doesn't like to eat ribs or any meat with his hands because OH MY GOD the mess from barbecue sauce! Who knew he was so fastidious? I guess, as his wife, I should have been tipped off?

*Update: I wrote this on Tuesday, but didn't get around to finishing it. We tried again on Wednesday night, but it wasn't much better. Charlotte seems interested and didn't twist as much in the Bumbo, so I guess there's some improvement. Tongue thrusting continues.