Ailey // Six Months Old

How in the world is Ailey half a year old? They say time goes by faster with each child you have and there’s no doubt that the last six months have seemed to disappear. Between the sleepless nights (we are going on TWO months), and busy days with big sister, Ailey seems to grow and change so much in the blink of an eye. I love writing these posts to keep track of everything.

Ailey’s six-month checkup went as well as one could hope – except for the shots. Shots are never fun. Her pediatrician says she is meeting all of her milestones and sitting up very well for her age. At 26 weeks old she finally mastered sitting up without toppling over, but we still keep a pillow behind her just in case. The pediatrician noticed her ears were red irritated, possibly from her dairy/soy intolerance, so she recommended giving her Motrin before bedtime. Ailey still has quite a bit of eczema that flares up when she isn’t feeling well, and two lymph nodes at the base of her skull that swell with illness as well. It’s funny she always has physical signs that she is getting sick.

Ailey is average for her weight (16lbs 3oz – 51%) compared to other babies born in August, but recognized as tall (27 inches – 88%). Compared to Annabelle at 6 months old, Ailey is only one inch shorter. She weighs almost exactly the same as Annabelle did though. Since she doesn’t have the height, Ailey’s chibbly little thighs and belly are just so smushy and loveable. I always thought her head was on the big side, since most of her headbands are already too small, but apparently, at 16.5 inches (41%), it is not that large.

Ailey is back to eating foods again – we took a break due to her tummy troubles. I am following a dairy and soy free diet in hopes that it will help out with her intestinal/gas problems. We are keeping a food diary of everything she tries and reactions to each food. So far, bananas have been her favorite and the least reactive in her system. Peas made her gassy, applesauce was eaten with a smile, and sweet potatoes were only appreciated a little bit. We will continue to try different foods every few days and stay far away from dairy/soy.

Ailey loves to play with anything she can get her hands on and most toys end up in her mouth. We found her sucking on an old Christmas tree pine needle this week. She likes to play a little game where we give her a container filled with toy and she takes her time pulling each out to investigate. Ailey is curious and filled with wonder, amazed at the world around her.

She’s always looking for Mommy in a room if she hears my voice. The pediatrician noticed how much she paid attention to me during her exam. She is already showing a little bit of separation anxiety if I walk away, which is part of her hatred for sleep at night. If she is having a bad fit, we discovered a trick: Mouse Clubhouse can distract her from her anger/sadness. But, temper temper – this baby has a temper. While lying on her back, she can kick herself across her crib or a room and tear up her head with her sharp nails. Most nights she is still swaddled so she can’t scratch – but other nights she is in her sleep suit. We try to keep her in the crib at night because she will try to kick herself out of the Rock N Play.

Ailey has been sticking her tongue out a lot at everyone and giggling while she does it. Is it possible she knows she is funny? Ailey loves to play peek-a-boo with Daddy, grab her sister’s hair while giving her a hug, give open mouth kisses, and reach for Mommy. She babbles constantly and sometimes it sounds like she says, “Hey” in the sweetest voice when you walk over to play. When we are home, you can find her bouncing in the Jumperoo or sitting on the floor surrounded by her toys.

If she tries to reach for a toy and flops on her belly, she usually gets pretty mad. Once in awhile, she will somehow manage to get to what she wants, unless Annabelle grabs the toy for her. I just started reading her books at night and she loves to take a bite out of the colorful pages.

Ailey Leighton you are surely the most smiley baby we have ever met. We love you to the moon and back. Happy half birthday!