Dear Hadley,

Wait a minute, wasn’t it just yesterday that you turned 6 months old?! Time is really flying. Lately, I have come to the realization that my little baby really isn’t so “little” anymore…and I’m torn between being excited that you are growing and learning to do new things and being so sad that the “little baby” stage is over! You are getting SO big, and your Daddy and I are loving watching you become your own little person. You are still making things very easy for us—eating great, sleeping  and napping great, and freely giving us as many smiles, laughs and squeals as you possibly can.

Your personality is most definitely continuing to blossom. You know how there are some babies who “just chill”, aka just lay around and are content just watching what’s going on around them? Yeah, that’s not you. Not at all. ;) You demand prefer to be stimulated at all times—you love playing with your toys, but you get bored with them after a few minutes and we have to give you something new. I have quickly learned the art of putting toys away for a little while so that you forget about them, and when you start to get bored with one—voila, it’s new to you again! You still love to jump (in your jumperoo or doorway jumper) and will just laugh and laugh while you jump. You also get in moods where you aren’t happy unless we are watching you jump and play—perhaps this means you are going to be a performer of some sort?!

You are sitting up like a champ these days and that is definitely your preferred way to play now. Playtime definitely keeps you very busy these days—you love to sit surrounded by a bunch of your toys and will reach for and play with every one of them before getting bored. You love to pick up and drop things (especially when you’re in your highchair) and will do it as many times as I will bend down and pick them up for you. You aren’t quite crawling yet (but I can tell it’s coming soon!), but you are definitely on the move! Gone are the days when I could set you down and walk out of the room for a sec…because that’s all it takes you to scoot yourself across the room.

This month was a big month for you: at 6 months and 2 days old, you got not just one but TWO teeth! They finally broke through the second day of our beach trip, and while I was nervous that you would be fussy and/or lose sleep over them, etc…you really never missed a beat. And your little teeth are TOO cute (except for when you bite me while eating…and then laugh. Not funny!!). I think that your top teeth are not too far from coming in, too… if the drooling/chewing on everything are any indication. You’re just so big!

One fun development this month is that you L-O-V-E your big brother, Ralph. I am serious, you are infatuated by him! Any time he comes around you immediately start the squeals and smiles (he is pretty funny looking, ha!)…and when he comes up to you and starts sniffing you or licks your face—forget it. Full on, huge belly laughs. I am SO glad you love him so much, and so glad that he loves you, too. He will sit and let you pet him and pull on his ears and tail until your heart’s content, and on the rare occasion when he decides he’s over it, he’ll just get up and move out of your reach…but watch out Ralphie, you won’t be able to do that for long as baby girl is on the MOVE! ;)

One sad bit of news from this month is that I had to go back to work a couple weeks ago. There were lots of tears the first couple of days (and a few random days since then), because I really can’t stand to be away from you all day long, especially at a time when I feel like you are changing and learning new things almost constantly! The good news is, it is only temporary (only 5 more weeks!) and you are also getting to spend a lot of QT with your grandparents, aunts, Daddy and Aunt Jenn! They are all absolutely loving spending so much time with you, and of course I know you are in great hands, which keeps me from having to worry about you while I’m at work…but I sure do MISS you while I’m there! Each day, I cannot drive fast enough to get back home to you. And to be honest, it doesn’t seem like you’ve even noticed I’m gone! Like I said, only 5 more weeks and it’ll be back to being just me and you, sweet girl, and that time cannot come fast enough. 

I think I say it every month, but this is my favorite age thus far (maybe every age will be my favorite?!). You’re incredibly sweet, smart, and so interactive and FUN…I just can’t get enough of you. You are keeping us very busy—we say all the time, “what in the world did we do with our time before Hadley came along?!”. I really don’t remember, but I will say that I know our lives are so much happier with you in them. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when we see that little grin (and two little teeth!) and you reach out for us to hold you. 

So, happy 7 months, baby doll. I love you more than you will ever know!

Love, 

Mommy