A Great End to a Not-So-Great Week

My week blew chunks. I don't want to even get into it, and I'd rather just forget the crapfest that it was (and hope it doesn't return next week).

But today was glorious. Today was Saturday and I got to spend all. day. long. with my babies. I got to change diapers. I got to play with the loves of my life for hours. The week long rainy dreary weather slipped away over night, producing a bee-u-tiful crispy fall-like day. I "let" my husband sleep in and selfishly kept Sam and Anna all to myself for a few hours. During their first nap, I ran errands and treated myself to a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I didn't worry about what I should be doing that I can't get done during the week (if my house has been dirty this long, what's one more day?). Later we went for a nice walk as a family and went for ice cream. Sam and Anna had their 6 month photo shoot, so I can now stop obsessing over what they are going to wear. After they were snug in their cribs for the night, I went out for dinner and margaritas with a friend.

But most of all, I got to see these faces from (almost) sun-up to sun down. A glorious day, indeed.

6 months! (over a week ago)

6 months! Half a year old- time has flown by so fast that I'm typing this post over a week late (picture me looking a little sheepish).

Anyway....

At 6 months, Anna:

Is in size 2 diapers
Wears 3-6 month and 6 month clothes (outgrew 6-9 month Gerber onesies though)
Weighed 13 lb 1 oz - almost 10%ile
Length and head circumference were both 50%ile
Drinks 5-9 oz a time, 4-5 times a day - typically over 25 oz total daily (bedtime bottle is usually 7-9 oz)
GERD seems to be under control with 3 daily doses of prevacid via baby buffers and is finally not affecting her eating *knocking on wood*
Eats one solid meal a day for dinner at 5 pm, over 1 oz at a time
Was not a fan of rice cereal
Has enjoyed these food in this order: avocado, sweet potato, banana
Sleeps ~7 pm-6:30 am most nights- 11 1/2 hours in a stretch
Still swaddled, or sleeps 1-2 hours in a stretch at night
Has a very difficult time sleeping anywhere but swaddled flat. To get her to sleep in her carseat while traveling, I had to mimic swaddling by pinning her arms down with a blanket while singing a lullaby, holding her pacifier in and brushing her eyes closed with the carseat canopy blocking her view as much as possible. And then I pulled a rabbit out of a hat.
Is transitioning to a 4 hour schedule and consolidating 3 about an hour long naps into 2 longer naps and a catnap in the evening.
Is a pro at standing with an object for support
Would still rather practice standing than sitting
Still dislikes being on her tummy and rolls over instantly
Has zero interest in rolling from back to front (duh- because she hates being on her tummy!)
Has amped up the teething and must have something in her mouth at all times
Loves to rub whatever she's chewing on her bottom gums, but still no teeth!
Drools a lake daily
Is proficient at passing a toy from one hand to the other
Turns and manipulates objects in her hand
Can often insert her pacifier into her mouth on her own but likes to chew on it more than suck it
Cries while playing when an adult leaves the room
Poops a lot- on average 4 times a day (more breastfed-baby-like)
Smiles and talks to her brother
Likes to play with mom's hair
Likes to be carried on mom's hip
Says "dadadadadadada"
Still a shrieker and grunter
Will fake cough to get attention
Favorite toy right now seems to be our little bee finger puppet
Loves neck kisses (always a giggle inducer)
Likes tummy tickles
Enjoys pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo
Loves to smile and talk
Turns when you say her name
Likes to pull her socks off
Is showing much more interest in our dog, Bella

At 6 months, Sam:

Is in size 2 diapers
Is growing out of 3-6 month and 6 month clothes (wearing 12 month Gerber onesies)
Weighed ~15 lbs - almost 10%ile
Length and head circumference were both 50%ile
Drinks 4-8 oz a time, 5-6 times a day - typically over 30 oz total daily (bedtime bottle is usually 7-8 oz)
GERD seems to be under control with 3 daily doses of prevacid via baby buffers and is finally not affecting his eating *knocking on wood*
Still not a big morning drinker, though- more due to distractability and overnight feedings
Eats one solid meal a day for dinner at 5 pm, over 1 oz at a time
Was not a fan of rice cereal
Has enjoyed these foods in this order: avocado, sweet potato, banana
Seemed to really figure out how to open his mouth and eat while eating banana (he loves it so much you can't get it in there fast enough)
Sleeps ~7 pm-6:30 am most nights- with one MOTN feeding on average (sometimes none, sometimes wakes twice)
Sleeps in a sleepsack at night
Seems to have lengthened waketime to 2 hours and still naps better than his sister
Is transitioning to a 4 hour schedule
Likes to stand assisted
Has sat unassisted for a short time
Still rolls very quickly from front to back and has rolled from back to front but doesn't like to often, although he knows how
Is a HUGE wiggle-worm, especially when needing to be changed. It's a little like being in a rodeo and trying not to get bucked off!
Likes bouncing in our jumperoo
Has gotten much more drooly lately
Is a very content car rider
Enjoys splashing during baths
Passes a toy from one hand to the other
Turns and manipulates objects in his hand
Likes his pacifier more than his sister and will suck on it usually whenever offered (although we stick to mostly before naps and bedtime).
Seems to be more content self-entertaining lately
Poops once a day
Rounded out his flat spot on his head so it is no longer "something we need to watch"
Likes taking his sister's toys
LOVES his Sassy flip book. So much so that grandma bought two more of the exact same one for Sam and Anna. If he's fussy, give that book to him and he'll be content to look at it, turn it, chew on it, "read" it, etc for hours. Seriously. We actually tested the "hours" qualifier on our 4 hour road trip and it is true. He doesn't get bored of it- ever.
Likes to be carried on mom's hip
Loves going for a "ride" in the Ergo carrier
Says "mama" sometimes when he cries
Has very quiet period and very talkative periods
Loves neck kisses (always a giggle inducer)
Likes tummy tickles
Enjoys pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo