Our baby girl is 6 months old today! Where in the world has the time gone since September 10th? I guess it’s mostly gone to sleepless nights (which are thankfully a distant memory now), diaper changes, feeding every 3 hours (except at night), and taking 483,790 pictures on our iPhones, right? It’s hard for me to comprehend that our baby is already halfway to being a year old. I’ll share my usual monthly update tomorrow after her 6 month checkup, but for now, I wanted to write Miss LL a 1/2 birthday letter. One day, I hope to print out all of these blog posts to save for her and for us – you know, in case blogs become a thing of the past one day…

LayLay,

I can’t believe you are 6 months old today. It feels like the day you were born was such a short time ago, but it also feels like you’ve been in our family forever. I’ve never been so exhausted in my life, but I’ve also never felt such great purpose and joy. These 6 months have been such a whirlwind for us. At times, we’ve been tired, frustrated, worried, and uncertain. But more importantly, we’ve never felt happier and more complete.

So many times, I catch myself wondering if it’s all a dream, because it certainly sometimes feels like it. Whether I’m sitting on the floor playing with you and watching you grab for toys with such concentration and giving my the biggest smile, or I’m spending the afternoon shopping and having lunch with you and your Grandma (my sweet, amazing mom and the best babysitter ever), or we’re enjoying an afternoon walk with your daddy and Coco when he gets home early from work… so many times, I just want to pinch myself that this is now my everyday. How did I get so lucky?  I count my blessings every single day that God chose us to be your parents and that He chose you to be our daughter. I’m beyond thankful that things fell into place for me to be able to stay home with you and run my business on my own time so that I can soak up every minute with you. As they say, the days are long but the years are short.

There are so many things that I love about you right now, at this age. Your smile, as your Grandma says, truly melts hearts. That gummy, innocent, joyous smile is one of my most favorite things in the world. I don’t care how goofy I have to act, even in public, to get that smile out of you!

You are all of a sudden so fascinated by your puppy sister Coco, and it’s the cutest thing to see you reaching out for her with both hands. She’s been so sweet and gentle with you, and I can only hope that will continue over the years. I have no doubt she’ll be your best friend if you share your food with her (she already loves the special job of licking your baby food-covered hands whenever she gets the chance).

We have a lot of nicknames for you! Some of my favorites: LayLay, LayLay Bear (because we call your puppy sister Coco Bear), Monkey (because you’re proving to be quite the little spider monkey lately), and your daddy’s latest creation, Punky Tootster (hehe, please don’t hate us for that one when you’re older!).

I selfishly kind of love that “nobody does it quite like mommy does” — at least for the time being. You make me feel like a super hero when I’m the only one who is able to calm you or comfort you, even though I don’t do anything differently than anyone else… it’s just because we have a special bond.  I feel like after 10 months of being pregnant with you, I’ve earned that, right?? But seriously, I think your daddy would appreciate you throwing him a bone every once in a while, too. 😉

I love your chubby cheeks, your fuzzy hair, and your puffy little wrists. I love when you grab for our faces with both tiny hands and look at us with those beautiful, big blue eyes. I love your squeals and groans and other funny noises, especially the ones you make when you eat. I love your hilarious obsession with chewing on wet paper towels – I’m pretty sure they’re your favorite food right now.

Your personality is really starting to develop more each week, and we are so excited to watch you grow, learn, and take in this big world around you. As I say to you probably a hundred times a day, I’ll kiss you and love you till the end of time!