Six months

To recap:

And now:

At six months, Charlotte is 25.25" long (18 percentile) and 16 lbs (44 percentile).

She likes:
crawling
wooden spoons
babbling
pulling herself up

She (strongly) dislikes:
holding still
diaper and clothes changes
napping

Monday pick-me-up

Literally.

I kept waiting for her to pull up, but she never got beyond her knees. She needs something skinny to grab onto - and my leg may be many things, but skinny, it is not.

Breaking news

We Matt lowered Charlotte's crib mattress tonight, probably 2 weeks after we should have done it. I'd read online that it can be helpful for the kid to spend a little time in the crib once the mattress is lower, because otherwise it can feel too much like a new place? I don't know about that, but I don't like waking up multiple times to tend to a screaming baby, so I put her in there with a few stuffed animals.

I took this photo, and while trying to come up with a cute caption for Instagram (follow me: joie_12), some movement caught my eye.

And then I had to quick get out of Instagram and take a picture. Ok, several. Then I ran downstairs to get Matt, who came up, and she was STILL standing.

Then she got all excited and started bouncing like she does in her jumper or exersaucer.

And she fell over. Oh, mo.

I have a feeling she will sleep very well tonight! Lots of exercise for this little munchkin.

Hello? Is this thing on?

 Man, I'm OUTTA here. Those stupid laundry basket photos are for the birds.

 I know! I've seen mama use this thing to communicate. Maybe I can get a rescue mission up in here.

Hello? Can you hear me? Somebody? Anybody? I'm being held hostage!

Monday pick-me-up

It's like the baby version of a cubicle.

Dear Charlotte

It seems that every week brings something new and exciting with you.

Shopping cart seat! All by yourself!

Thank you for finally figuring out how to catch yourself when you topple over. Hearing your head go thud on the hardwood (or tile, ouch) floors repeatedly was stressing me out.

I'd like to reiterate that the following are not meant for you to chew on: Nylabones; dad's flip flop; my flip-flop; my running shoes; the heating register; my dresser handles.

Love,
mama

Crocodile

Tears, that is.

Her first documented, unassisted sit was accompanied by copious crocodile tears.

See?

Monday pick-me-up

Not sure about you, but this is definitely what I'd like to be doing today!

My mom came up for the weekend, and we went for a walk at the Arboretum. Charlotte fell asleep halfway through. Jealous!

Dear Charlotte

You are on fire this week. So chatty, so smiley, so mobile.

Today I put you down in the middle of the living room. You seemed pretty happy hitting the different colors on the rug. I left the room briefly, and found you in the corner (also, check out our new living room paint color).

Boy, am I glad we moved that jumble of electronics up off the floor. Apparently the dog toy was very compelling this morning!

You sat up yesterday, no hands on the ground or anything. I know you had no hands on the ground, because you were busy flailing them around and screaming.

You are more and more fun every week. And we are loving you more and more.

Love,
mama

I'll take a full serving of veg, please.

Our Unjust August healthy living/weightloss competition is going swimmingly. I'm really enjoying the extra push to get 3 servings of veggies in every day, but wow, do I get tired of plain old salad all the time. So, I am branching out into the "vegetable" categories of my cookbooks.

This is the beginning of my new favorite sandwich.

This is my new favorite sandwich. Grilled zucchini, red peppers, green peppers, onions, on a ciabatta roll with fresh pesto and some herbed chevre. I then make Matt grill the sandwiches. Last night we made SIX of them, and we feasted at dinner and again today at lunch.

Seriously, folks. Holy cow that is a fantastic sandwich.

Monday, a day late

I should probably just change these to Tuesday pick-me-ups.

Charlotte now does yoga in her jammies. Here she is modeling a modified pigeon pose.

The benefits: Stretches the thighs, groins, back, and psoas. Opens the chest and shoulders (if you're not dependent upon your arms for balance, that is).

This is one of my personal fave stretches. It feels SO good! If I were running with any regularity, I'd do this every day.

Dear Charlotte

It's official. You're my favorite. Today we bid goodbye to my second favorite, Katie-the-babysitter. That was sad, but your goofy ways sure do help me feel better.

You really seem to prefer sweet potatoes to avocado, but I have 4 little containers of 'cado left, and darn it, you'll eat it and like it end up wearing it if it's the last thing I do.

Today I took the first of many childproofing steps, and promptly removed the computer power cord from your reach. Not before taking a picture, though!

Love,
mama