Six Months

12 August 2016

Dear E,

You are one talkative little baby. It's kind of crazy how loud you are now.  Whether you are happy or upset, you like to be heard. I can't wait until I can understand what you are saying.

You went on your first campout this month. You did really well on the long car ride and you really enjoyed the great outdoors. I was really worried that you would be too cold at night, but it turned out just fine.

Sitting with Grandma Jones

Sleeping in the tent

You started waking up early at 5:00 in the mornings and I figured it was because the sun was waking you up. So, I ordered some light blocking curtains and Dad and Aunt Anna helped hang them in your room. The first morning they were up, I was so surprised to find that you didn't wake up early. In fact you slept in even longer than your sister, who got up on time at 7:00. It was amazing. I was ready to tell the world how the new curtains were magical or something. Then, a few hours later, your dad pointed out to me that we had somehow put you in the wrong crib the night before. So, you were really the baby who woke up on time. I couldn't tell it was you because of the crib switch and because it was still dark in the room from the curtains. Ha!

Sleeping Beauty

The curtains are helpful, but sleep has not been your strong suit this month. There have been nights when you have been so angry at bedtime. I think part of the problem is your teeth might be coming in. It's also been tricky for you to sleep because you learned how to roll and we stopped swaddling you in your Miracle Blanket. It's probably going to take a while for you to get used to falling asleep without it.

You caught a cold from your dad this past week.  He felt so bad for getting you sick.  Surprisingly, you were still a happy baby.  We had some rough nights sleeping, but you did pretty well during the day.
    

Dad went back to working for the new school year, so you are stuck with me for most of the day.  You love spending time with him, though.  He is so good at making you and L laugh.  I love seeing you get excited about things.  You get really excited when you see your bottle now.  It’s so cute.

Dad reading a book to you (en espanol)

I’m so lucky to have such an awesome daughter.  I just love you so much!

Love,

Mom

Dear L,

You love to move! Dad calls you a little “mover and a shaker.”  You rolled over from your back to your tummy! Of course, you did it for the first time while Dad and I weren't looking. You sneaky little girl. Before that you were always rotating in circles or we would find you had shifted off the blanket that we had laid you down on. For several days, you would roll to your stomach and then get frustrated because you thought you were stuck. It was like you forgot how to roll the other way onto your back. Now you are getting better at that and I have to watch you closely because you have rolled right into your sister a few times.

Rolling means that we aren't supposed to swaddle you at night anymore. I was concerned that you wouldn't sleep well. There is a small red spot on your cheek from one night when you moved your face back and forth over and over, rubbing your soft skin against the sheets while trying to get comfortable.

Although there were a few rough nights at first, you really do love sleeping on your tummy. Back when we first introduced you to ‘tummy time,’ you were not building much strength because you would just fall asleep since you were so cozy. Now you are on your tummy again and we often find you sticking your bum up in the air, as well. It's pretty cute.

Our whole family went camping this month. We only stayed one night and all went well. It helped that you and your sister were not mobile yet. You both really liked being outdoors.

Another first was your first cold. You and your sister both caught Dad's cold. You had runny noses and a cough that broke my heart every time I heard it. Even with being sick, you were still a happy little baby.

You love spending time with Dad and me.  Unfortunately, he had to start teaching again.  I’m glad that you and E are a little more independent now so that it’s easier for me to take care of you by myself.  I am so glad that I get to hang out with you all the time.  You’re one awesome baby!

Holding your bottles!

Love,

Mom

P.S. I love being a twin mom. You both love each other so much. You were 'talking' to each other recently and Grandpa Jones decided that this is what you were saying: