Day Fourteen Hundred and Forty-Eight

The Sixth Month of Millie

Amelia,

Oh Sweetheart!

You are Just. The. Sweetest!

This month has been yet another crazy one. Maybe the most crazy one to date. But true to character, you've handled it with grace, cheer, and tons of much-needed Mommy kisses. Thank you, my Best Girl. You have no idea how much strength, patience, love, and peace you bring me - even when things are literally up in the air.

Ok, so this month, you traveled more than ever before. It started off in Spokane - on August 1, you watched (well, technically you slept) your Uncle Jacob get married! On that very same day, Daddy pitched for the Marlins in Miami, where he's been ever since (he got called back up on July 31). At that time, we still had our apartment in NOLA, but decided to meet Daddy in Atlanta because let's face it, we would rather be with him and that's where the Marlins played their next series! After the series in Atlanta, we stayed in a hotel for 4 days in Miami (we played against Boston), and then flew to St. Louis for a three-game series there. It was there that we ran out of clothes, so the two of us packed up Daddy's suitcase and Ubered to a local St. Louis laundromat to get fresh ones! The three of us made a stop at the Arch (you slept - you're always sleeping through the important things...like Dad's first hit!), and then made our way to Milwaukee for a three-game series versus the Brewers. We stayed in a supposed "haunted" hotel there, but since we don't believe in that stuff, it didn't affect us! However, after that last day in Milwaukee, Mama was tired. And so were you. So, Dada and I decided that it would be best if we found a place to call "home" for the rest of the Miami season - which ends October 4. And now, officially, you've resided at three different addresses...in six months! Trooper! Then, after a week at "home," the two of us flew to NOLA to pack up our apartment there before meeting Dad in Washington D.C. for his series against the Nationals. Where, guess what? He and the Marlins beat Scherzer! Yahoo! So yeah, let's see...that's SEVEN cities in 30 days. Wow. If anyone deserves a prize in all of this, it's totally you, My Dear. 

The best Babe.

I'm obsessed with your constant smile and your growing hair.

Speaking of growing...we're pretty sure you did a lot of that this month. Though still definitely the best-behaved baby I've ever seen (I'm not biased or anything), you went through a solid week of what we considered fussiness. You were constantly nursing, constantly cuddling, and constantly making this awful (but still incredibly cute in it's own way) face that I kept trying to rub away! It looked like you were trying to tell me that your teeth were hurting you? I'll never forget that face! A scrunched up, frowny-brow-nose with your mouth in a closed "O" shape! I'm sorry if you were in pain. I hate to see you that way, but Girlfriend, you handled it so well...especially when we gave you ice water! You sure do love water! You can suck from a straw and when that's not enough, you grab the glass (or bottle) and drink straight out of it! Of course, you haven't quite learned moderation, so most of the water ends up down your front, but most everywhere we go is hot anyways, so it acts double-time for us!

As of the day after you turned 5-months (so, July 28), Auntie Shelby revealed to you that you can sit up unassisted! We were so impressed...and even more so when she also showed you that your legs are strong enough to hold up your weight - by yourself! That's right, at 5 months and 1 day, you stood completely by yourself with your back up against the couch! We were all blown away, Baby! 

But not wanting to get too ahead of ourselves, Daddy and I have been really focused on getting you to be confident and comfortable on your tummy. We need you to form that nice banana-shaped curve in your neck, as per orders from Dr. Lucas! So, you've been on your tummy a lot...and rolling and rolling and rolling. You're certainly on the move, and if I'm going to be honest, I hope you don't start crawling for just a little bit longer! I'm not ready for that yet!

One of our favorite things this month has been listening to you talk. Amelia...we're in for it already because you are LOUD! You love to sing and talk and whisper and giggle and squeal and make every noise possible! In the mornings, we're convinced that you chant Da-Da-Da-Da along with Abba (Dad's been teaching you that one) and at night, you switch over to Mamamamama! Maybe you're not really saying what we think you're saying, but it makes us feel like super parents and super loved, so we'll just go on thinking this way!

So, a few days ago, I decided that maybe your hair was finally long and thick enough for a clippy bow. I've been waiting and waiting, and look! I was right! At least with this one! I really really like your new 'do, but you looked at me like, "Hey Mom, what in the world do you think you're doing to me," but I ignored you. Sorry. But it's just that YOU'RE SO CUTE and the bow looks perfect on you!

Oh, you'll like this. 

We all know that you love sucking on anything and everything. Every single thing I hold in my hand...goes into your mouth. It doesn't matter what's in my hand - a razor, a bar of soap, a cactus, a dirty diaper - as long as it's mine, it goes in your mouth! We've had a few close calls, but explaining to your Daddy why I had multiple hickeys on my bicep was pretty funny! I didn't realize it at the time, but sometimes when you're done nursing, you latch onto my arm and suck, suck, suck! It doesn't bother me one bit, but when I noticed bright red hickeys showing up, I had to laugh! So, thanks for my super-modest hickey-ed arm look. It's all the rage these days! Ha!

Also, notice in this photo your flying arm?

That thing is wild. You wake up with it (and by it, I mean them - both of them) flapping, and by the time the day is over, it's still going and going. I've been whacked by it more than a few times, but I just pretend that you're learning to fly, and not intentionally hitting me for fun. Amelia!

YOU ARE THE CUTEST, COOLEST, MOST INCREDIBLE BABY ALIVE.

Really.

Truly.

I can't get enough of you.

And even when Mama is tired and needing a break (because sometimes mommies need some time alone), I still can't leave your side. You make me so happy. And I don't know what I'd do without you.  

This month has been all sorts of fun, all sorts of hard, all sorts of excitement and discomfort. It's been amazing. It's been a challenge. We've experienced so many firsts - the three of us - and though I'm more tired than ever before, I wouldn't trade any of our experiences for a single night of sleep. You are changing by the day. We are changing by the day. And life is so full. And sometimes, so are your new Size Three diapers! You are our joy. Our laughs. Our love and our pride. We think the world of you and would do anything for just one more kiss and just one more Millie hug. Thank you, thank you for being my best traveling pal. My comfort when Daddy is away. And my reminder of just how much my Abba Father loves me. You are our greatest tiny treasure and we thank God daily for your life and for your toothless smile.

Happy Six Months, My Precious Baby.

I hope you realize how much we love you.

Always and forever,

Mommy

____________________________________________

National's Park by night!

A beautiful field in a beautiful city!

(I actually quite enjoyed the little part of D.C. we stayed in this weekend. I didn't think I would, but the smaller urban-feel to the city was actually a great change of pace! Add in a cool breeze with zero humidity, and D.C...you made a believer out of me! Thanks for such a fun time!) 

My two favorite people on this Earth!

Love you ACons!