The Hughes Family: 6 Months Old!!

I can hardly believe it, but yesterday, 3/20/11, marked Kyndall's 6 month birthday! That's half a year!! I know it sounds cheesy, but it truly does seem like just yesterday that I was leaving the hospital with her. And now we're halfway to her first birthday! I've always been one to celebrate half birthdays. I don't know why, but I like to recognize them just like a real birthday. So yesterday we celebrated by going out and buying Kyndall a birthday gift!

Kyndall's 6 month birthday gift

We also made cupcakes!

This may seem a little over the top to some, but we are trying to enjoy each and every milestone as they come--no matter how big or how small it may be! Although Kyndall didn't actually get to partake in the cupcake party, we ate a few in her honor. She did, however, get to enjoy her new birthday gift!...

Hopefully it won't be long before her feet can actually touch and she can bounce!!

Today, 3/21/11, I took Kyndall to her 6 month check up with her wonderful pediatrician. I always go in there with my list of questions (literally, a list!) and he is so gracious to take his time and answer each and every one of them for me. Not only that, but he makes me feel like I'm a great mother and always tells me what a good job I'm doing. Every mom out there knows how much it means to hear those words coming from your child's doctor! Anyway, here are Kyndall's stats as of today:

Weight: 13 pounds 11 oz. (13th percentile)

Height: 25 and 1/4 inches (30th percentile)

Head Circumference: 16 and 3/4 inches (65th percentile)

Ok, ok I know what you're thinking....I have a tiny baby with a BIG ole noggin! I realize it looks like that on paper, but the doctor says Kyndall is perfectly proportionate and he's very pleased with her stats. (Especially considering that she was 4 weeks early!) She is maintaining her weight nicely and hitting all of her developmental milestones.

Kyndall, here are a few things you've been up to lately:

*You continue to be a wonderful sleeper, which makes Mommy very happy! You normally take your last bottle around 11:00 pm and don't wake up until about 9:00 am. The only time you wake during the night is if your paci falls out.

*You are drinking about 4 bottles a day, with 6 ounces each. Sometimes you get 5, but always at least 4 a day.

*You are still the swaddle queen and absolutely cannot sleep without being wrapped up like a little mummy! We call it your magic blanket, because it's the only thing that will calm you down when you're fussy and tired. People are amazed by its magical powers when they witness it for themselves! You go from screaming to snoring in about 3 minutes flat! Amazing!

*You have been eating rice cereal for two months now, which you LOVE! We recently introduced you to baby oatmeal as well, but you seem to prefer the rice cereal. (Can't blame you there--I'm not an oatmeal fan either!)

*We haven't started fruits and veggies yet, but I think we'll try that this week! I think you'll love them!
*You've started trying to hold your own bottle which is a BIG help to Mommy and Daddy!
*You aren't sitting up completely by yourself yet, but you're doing pretty good with a little bit of help from the boppy. My goal is to have you sitting up by Easter so that we can get some adorable pictures of you in your Easter dress! We've been practicing everyday, so hopefully we'll reach our goal!

*You are a non-stop talker! (Can't imagine where you get that from!) You babble and coo all day long and it makes me and Daddy so happy to hear you talking!

*You love to smile and cheese it up for the camera. I guess this is a good thing, considering you have me for a Mommy and you will have a camera in your face for the next 18+ years!

*Just this past weekend you moved from a size 1 diaper to a size 2 and you are still able to wear some 3 month clothes, although you're starting to fit into some of the 3-6 month outfits now as well.

*You absolutely love to laugh and giggle! We can't help but laugh along with you when you do it!

*You're starting to notice things around you more---the dogs, your toys, people, etc. You're very aware of your surroundings and really seem to want to take it all in.

*You enjoy being outside in this beautiful Spring weather, so we try to spend an hour or two outside in the backyard each day.
*You love to Skype with Grammy, G-Daddy, Nonie and Poppie! You look at the computer and really listen to what they're saying. They love this!

*You definitely know who Mommy and Daddy are and you always get a big smile on your face when Daddy comes home from work in the afternoons. Nothing could make him happier than seeing your sweet face light up at the sight of him!

*We love taking you to church, but pretty soon we'll need to leave you in the nursery. You are mesmerized by the music and the people around you, but as soon as the Pastor starts talking and things get quiet, you start chattering!

*Everyday I check your little mouth for the sign of a pearly white tooth, but so far there's no sign of one. I know you're close though because you drool constantly and everything goes in your mouth!

*Your favorite form of entertainment is watching Baby Einstein DVDs.

*You made your first trip to Tallahassee with just Mommy last month and you did GREAT on the 6.5 hour drive! You didn't make a peep the entire time! We are very happy that you enjoy being in the car, since we make the long trip to FL quite frequently!

*You are rarely seen without a bow on your head and you have Mommy to thank for this! I've taken up bow making as my new hobby and you're my very own baby model!

*You are so happy all of the time and everywhere we go people comment on your sweet smile and beautiful blue eyes!

*You love to cross your feet! Looking back at all of your pictures, I noticed how often you do it. Although it's adorable, Mommy was concerned so I talked to the doctor about it today. He said not to worry, you're just a proper lady!

You are such a blessing in our lives and we are so proud of you already!

And now for a few pictures from her 6 month check-up today....

Dressed and ready to go see Dr. Traynham (3/21/11)