Half a year old

Dear Tatum,

Tomorrow you will be half a year old. Daddy and I cannot believe that you are 6 months old already. Countless people told us that it goes by so quickly, but you just have no idea until you experience it for yourself. You are growing so quickly now and we are just stunned at how much you have grown. Your six-month checkup with your doctor is not for another couple of weeks, at which time we will discuss your weight, starting solids and the heart monitor.

Well, we have all been extremely busy the past couple of weeks. I have been unable to find time to write, but we have been having lots of fun. You have gone to four birthday parties in the last two weeks, shopping and out to quite a few restaurants.

You are proving to be a very well behaved little baby. People in stores often ask to see you close up and comment on how beautiful you are. We meet lots of people everywhere we go, which is a lot of fun. You have graduated to your umbrella stroller, which requires you to sit upright. This stroller is much easier for Mommy to manage, as it is lightweight and easy to open with one hand. When shopping, I also carry you in a baby carrier on my chest, which you just love. You talk and laugh as we shop until you fall asleep. At which point I lay you back in your car seat. I enjoy having you with me wherever I go. You are a great little companion.

This past weekend marked the start of Daddy’s race season. I wish we could have joined Daddy and Grandpa Dale on the trip, however Daddy and I felt we should wait just a little longer. We missed Daddy so much while he was gone. We stayed connected by text messaging back and forth and by sending pictures of you from Mommy’s phone. It is great to have Daddy back home.

Today, Daddy surprised us and came home from work early. This was great since Daddy was able to join us on our walk. We took pictures of you in your sunglasses and one of your new little sun hats. You are quite the little movie star.

I am including several pictures from the past couple of weeks. Daddy and I bought you an activity bouncer, the Rainforest Jumperoo. It plays music and jungle sounds as you jump around. You tend to drool excessively when you play in it. It is fun watching you enjoy yourself.

The picture of you in the highchair was taken on Grandma Vicki's Birthday. We had lunch with her at her work and you sat in a highchair for the first time. You looked at your feet for quite a while. It made us laugh. You were such a good girl.

We were also invited to celebrate Camden's 3rd birthday with him at "Chuck E. Cheese's". I was thrilled that we were able to spend a little time with my girlfriend Kris and her family while they were in from California. We will hopefully be visiting them sometime soon, maybe next year.

Tomorrow we are going to meet Aunt Jamie for lunch. She started her new job a couple of weeks ago and we thought it would be fun to meet up with you and Michael.

I love you sweatheart. The past six months have been wonderful. Daddy and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Love,
Mommy

Today's book: "Baby Love"