The Shipman's...: Happy 6 months baby Pierce!

My sweet second child. We could not possibly love you any more. Between waiting for your 6 month well check and being sick we are a bit delayed on getting your stats up!

You have honestly had a tough last month. First, you got a terrible stomach virus that lasted for 10 days and consequently caused you to get another ear infection. You recovered well but then 3 weeks later you came down with a cold that you picked up at church which also turned into another nasty double ear infection. You've got your mamma worried because according to the pediatrician if you get more than one more ear infection they are going to want to discuss tubes...That dear friends is something daddy and I desperately would like to avoid. The thought of putting our infant under anesthesia for surgery is more than I can bear. But unfortunately the doctor said because of your anatomy, every time you get sick you will inevitably get an ear infection until your ears are more developed. What does that mean around here...lots of hand washing, paci washing, hand sanitizer and NO CHURCH NURSERY for at least 2-3 months. Certainly not ideal, but it will be short lived and well worth the sacrifice in the short term.

On to your stats...

Weight: 19 lbs (77%)

Height: 26.75 in (55%)

Head: 44 cm (70%)

You are one big boy, but not as big as I thought you were going to be when we arrived. You continue to be super contented and easy going. You truly are a joy to be around. True confession...sometimes I forget you are in the house and I panic as I quickly come see that you are contentedly playing in your excersaucer, johner jumper or just playing with your toys on the floor.

Eating:
We derailed from solids shortly after you turned 5 months because of the stomach bug. The last thing you needed at that point was more roughage. But in the past week we have started again and on our best day, you get lunch and dinner consisting of either a fruit and veggie or fruit/veggie and oatmeal. You have yet to turn your nose up to anything. You love it all! You still take a bottle at 7:45, 11:30, 3:30, 7:15 and yes we are still ridiculously dreamfeeding you at 10:00pm. Its completely your mamma. I just love more than anything that quiet feed at night before I go to bed where I kiss your head the whole time and get to solely focus on YOU. Yes you are asleep and nutritionally don't even need it but soon we will take that away. (Full disclosure, we have never tried a single night to not feed you before going to bed so time will tell how that transition goes.)

Sleeping:
You continue to be my high sleep baby. You go down at 7:30 and wake up at 7:45am with not a peep through the night. You take two 2-2.5 hour naps. Usually from 9-11 and 1-3:30. Your brother at this age was still not consistently sleeping through the night and only took two 1.5 hour naps. We are also in a weird stage where I have cut out your catnap in the evening because you are on the fence of needing it and not needing it. I imagine very soon you'll be just fine to go til 7:30 without rubbing your eyes at 6pm.

Milestones:
You are sitting like a champ. We still try to put pillows around you so that when you inevitably do fall over you don't hurt your sweet head but even when you do you don't cry. You are desperately wanting to crawl as you flail your arms and legs trying to figure out how to make yourself move, Usually you just pull yourself around to get where you want to go or just roll to the toy you want. Still no true baby talk. Just lots and lots of belly laughs and "ahhhhs" no "gagaga" or "dadada" yet. The doctor said you appear to be an observer but not delayed in the least. I have found that you talk the most when all is quiet otherwise you just want to take in all the action.

Likes:
WILL...Will is your favorite person in the whole wide world with me as a close second. You crane your head to see where he is and what he is doing. It makes my heart burst with joy to see the bond forming, Will's favorite thing to do now is to get into the crib with you and "play". You both laugh and squeal at the top of your lungs as he squeezes your belly with a big hug or lays next to you as you try to grab his face, You continue to just love people. You delight in others delighting in you. You also love eating, sleeping and being able to move around on the floor.

Dislikes:
Really nothing to note here... The only time you cry is when you watch me walk out of the room and that is half hearted crying at best.