She's Half!

 Look who's HALF!

(half a year that is)

 At 6 months old...

Ellie weighs 13.2 ounces (pre-cast), 23 pounds with cast

Ellie has begun to squeal even more often & louder

makes a hilarious clicking noise which she is so proud of herself for 

smiles often at anyone

is very expressive with her eyes and smiles

takes 3 naps a day

is a great flier

loves to cuddle

has the best smelling milk breath
I can see two teeth but they haven't popped through the gum yet
before getting her cast on, she could sit for about 8 seconds independently

still has her sparkly eyes (they didn't sparkle for several days post-op)

loves to play on her play mat

loves to nurse (5x/day) and refuses bottles still

I have no idea how good a night sleeper she is right now as we have to wake her throughout the night for diaper changes in her body cast

has tried oatmeal but doesn't get it very often (nutritionally unnecessary since she is breastfed & too much of a pain with all of her other care requirements)

adores her big brother

adores her daddy

gives the most precious "love looks"

loves to be outside and squeals with delight 

despite being trapped in a body cast, she has learned to scoot somewhat  and can do chest thrusts like no other to communicate excitement or "hold me!"

enjoys a good sponge bath (can't wait to fully bathe her again in 3 months)

does not like distractions or interruptions while she is eating

continues to learn to grasp and has grasped our hands better and lightweight toys

rubs me with one hand while nursing which recently her big brother noticed & went running to excitedly tell Daddy that "Ellie is moving her hand!"  How precious that he is celebrating her accomplishments!

seems to have a high tolerance for pain

has incredible patience

has endured so much

brings us immeasurable joy

has completely captured our hearts

 generally is a very happy baby

 We had Ellie's half birthday party last night.

Just before her half party, she got sick and threw up twice (the cast was spared, thankfully.)  Then, she had major diarrhea which went down the leg of the cast.  We spent probably 2 hours cleaning it but took a break for the half party with her brother before he went down for bed.  It was a nightmare & required a call to the hospital for fear she might have to return to Dallas for an emergency cast replacement.  More on that experience later.

Back to the half party-

she got a half size balloon which she thought was hilarious

(& provided great entertainment during her nightmarish diaper cleaning later that night)

 & her brother ate a half size cake 

We also sang the "Happy Half Birthday" song but Will couldn't stand the thought of only singing half.

 And she got a new little toy.

and this has nothing to do with Ellie's half birthday but was too precious-

what we found Will doing at the end of his nap the other day.

Tired, tired boy.