Sweet Tallula,
Today you smiled at me from your high chair, head tilted slightly. Both excited and unsure about your bowl of rice cereal mixed with Apple juice, fresh from the juicer. This month you started solids. One week ago you devoured your brown rice cereal mixed with mama’s milk. You are independent. You need to hold your own spoon. You grab hold of the one I’m using to give you food. You surprised us by grabbing your bowl and lifted it up to your face, as though you would drink all of your cereal from it. When you couldn’t fit the bowl into your mouth, you tossed it to the floor. You are interested in the first few bites and then you greet us close lipped. It has been a pretty abnormal week so we are happy to take it slow. I know you will get there.
You are sitting up, reaching for toys as far as your arms will take you and then you fall onto your face and onto your tummy. Sometimes it is a smooth landing and other times, not so much. You lean back onto your boppy pillow, my safety net. Your neck cranes so you can see behind you. Then you struggle to lift yourself forward, unaware that your arms can help you. You are strong and sturdy, not falling to the side, but controlling your movements and starting to catch yourself. Although you’ve bonked your head a couple of times. You burst into tears and turn your lip into that infamous frown I know Sebastian taught you. 
I scoop you up into a big hug and we move on.
You jump jump jump in your jumper. Sway less. You call out for our attention when you want to get out. When we come towards you, you look up and start to lift your hands. You laugh and giggle in excitement. You have this way of making an ‘o’ with your mouth to show surprise and wonder. Wide eyed sweetness. You are pushing up on your tummy and squirming your legs, but you are not interested in getting out of position by moving forward just yet.
I love how you try to eat my face. Your first tooth cut this month, bottom front left. I know the right is close behind. You are teething something fierce and you lunge towards toys and most hard objects, searching for relief. When I pick you up, your hands grab my face and pull me close. You are starting to pull my hair and grasp it in your hands in wonder. You open your mouth and try to eat my mouth or my nose. We both laugh. I pretend-chomp on your cheeks and chin to make you giggle.
I love making you laugh. You enjoy watching us dance and sing. Even pretending to be a monster ‘getting’ you. When we tickle you, you laugh until you hiccup. You feel uncomfortable from the hiccups, but keep giggling.
Your eyes are so blue. Like your mama’s. And my mama’s. And your great-grandpa.
During your 6 month you celebrated your first Christmas and New Years. Your favorite part of Christmas was eating the board books and wrapping paper. We loved watching you sit up for the first time on Christmas Eve.
I rang in the New Year asleep on our bed, next to you. You woke just before midnight.
New Years Day with Seb and Papa-Daddy.
It is amazing how much you learn to do in one month. We watch you in awe. Using your hands to discover the world around you. Bringing toys to your mouth. Moving them effortlessly between hands. Using the pincer grasp! You squeeze your toys, you toss them out of reach, only to protest their return. You pout and sometimes scream when your dad playfully takes a toy away from you. You are letting us know what you want. When you want it.
You lift your feet effortlessly to your mouth. You are flexible. Amble. Easily performing the ‘happy baby pose’.
I look back on our month together and I see you growing and changing in so many ways. Your personality is developing, you are your own little person. And you are ours. And we are blessed. By your sweetness. By your happiness. By your love.
Happy half Birthday Lula girl!
Oh Kara….she is so beautiful! Happy Half Birthday to your adorable little sweetheart!