Declan - 6 months!

It's been half a year since Declan entered this world and our family, and I can't believe how fast it has flown by.  There have been times it has been hard, lonely, or just plain boring but for the most part our days are full of laughter, silly stories, and a lot of learning and growing.  Above all else, I have learned that everything is just a phase - for better or worse, the good and the bad, it all comes and go day to day and eventually things end.  Declan is no longer the little newborn we brought home - he has already passed many milestones and is now a baby with real likes and dislikes and has quite the personality!

A couple things to note about Declan at 6 months:

Declan loves to eat!  He is not loving his bottles as much since he discovered "real" food.  He has tried most fruits and veggies that are popular at this age (think peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, apples, pears, bananas, etc.), and really has not met a food he does not like.  The doctor suggested he eat three times a day now which adds to my laundry and dirty dishes, but the way he kicks his feet and smiles it is worth it!

As of last night (should knock on wood now!) Declan slept through the night with no swaddle, no paci and only woke once to eat during the 12 hours.  He put himself to sleep in the beginning, stirred throughout the night but put himself back to sleep, and woke up one happy baby.  We did do some sleep training this week and endured the crying, but he was a fairly quick learner and only cried hard two nights.  I am hoping that both boys continue to go to sleep around 7pm so we can get our nights back and be more relaxed and rested parents in the morning too!

Declan naps on the go in the morning and takes a pretty solid nap in the afternoon in his crib.  The doctor said this is fine and fairly typical for a second child, but I do feel guilty that he doesn't get that quiet morning nap that Lincoln always had.  He seems to roll with the punches and doesn't mind too much!

Declan is just starting to roll from his tummy to his back and has yet to roll from his back to his tummy.  He doesn't seem too interested in moving around too much, and I am fine with leaving him in one spot and him still being there when I come back!  There will come the day when both boys are running in different directions so I am going to relish this quieter time now!

Declan does like to play with his toys, and he has pretty good fine motor skills and grasp.  The doctor was impressed with how he can pick up his toys and put his paci back in his own mouth.  He must get a lot of practice picking up his toys and holding on for dear life because someone else in this house is always trying to take them!

Looks like he just got caught doing something...I think I will see this look a lot in the future! :)

Declan is quite the giggler but really loves to laugh at his silly dad.  He will "quiet smile" all day - when his face breaks out into a huge smile but nothing comes out of his mouth - but when his dad comes home he is all giggles.  Brian can really get him going, and it is so fun to hear!

We are so lucky to have Declan in our life, and I am excited to see what the next six months bring to our life!

We love you Declan Dougherty!