Month 6

Dear Lia,

Happy half a year! I can't believe you're already six months old! Time flies by so fast, and you've grown so much! And one of the biggest blessings of my life is that I'm around to watch you every step of the way.



The last month can be entitled The Month Long Drool. You started teething a few weeks ago and since then have left your salivary mark on everything. Bedsheets, pillows, shirts, carpets, nothing is safe from your drool. Some nights, I fall asleep with both sleeves and the whole front of my t-shirt wet from your baby drool. We let you wear a bib when we go out to save your pretty clothes from the drool or else you would have to change even before we reach the place we were going.

Of course, together with all the laway is all the biting. And with biting came the ability to grab things and put them in your mouth. Again, nothing has been safe from your killer grip, not just the cloths to wipe your drool with or your teethers, but again, bedsheets, pillows, shirts, lap pads, and your favorite, mommy's fingers. You've been known to bite mommy's neck, daddy's leg and Lola Cora's giant pearl ring. Which of course she promised to give you when you're older. What a way to get started on your inheritance. We'd better tell Tita Michelle to hurry up and have daughters of her own before you put all of Lola's jewelry into your mouth.



You've grown in leaps and bounds these past few weeks, not just in terms of size and weight (mommy's shoulders have a permanent ache from carrying you so much). You've gotten much more vocal lately, with screeches, gargles, shouts and pbfffts becoming staple to your vocabulary. For a while you kept saying "Mamamamamama babababababa mamamamamama..." just because it seemed fun. But your favorite is still gargling your laway at the back of your throat saying "grrrrr!" when you want to be carried. It makes your Daddy jealous cause he doesn't know how to do that. "Talking" is definitely your communication style of choice. When you're hungry or wet or demand attention, you shout for it. You only cry when you're in pain or terribly frustrated. And this is why we think you're a very smart and grown-up baby indeed.



You've also gotten exponentially more mobile. After your first roll over from back to tummy, you didn't do it again for a week. Last Sunday, you rolled over 5 times in one night (refusing to fall asleep as you've made a habit of lately) and even managing to propel yourself forward a few inches without having to shove your face across the bed. You're starting to crawl! Your Daddy and I are so happy and proud. There is no stopping you anymore. No leaving you for even a second, now that you can roll around either way at will and reach the edges of the bed in no time. With the added tricks of crawling backward and turning yourself to face any direction, there really is no predicting what you will do next. The other day, Yaya put a comforter on the carpet in the sala and surrounded you with throw pillows. They didn't pose much as obstacles to you. You are going to get far in life and you're starting as early as you can. Daddy is already threatening to buy you a leash.



Since you were born, you are with me every afternoon and we play on my bed. And lately, it's been so mesmerizing to just watch you and see how everything is a learning experience for you. Pushing yourself up on your hands and feet, reaching out to grab a toy, inspecting a book, wrestling with a pillow, taking a bath. You are seeing the world with new and bright eyes. You're like a sponge, absorbing everything in and wanting more. No inhibitions, no fears, and the ability to surprise yourself. You are so amazing, I fall in love with you every day.



I live for the look on your face when you see me come home or enter a room. It lights up to the most beautiful smile. Those special "Yey! Mommy's here!" smiles are what make being your mommy the best job I've ever had.

I love you forever,

Mommy