Dear Alex,

I know what you're thinking -- "jeez, Mom, way to keep that blog updated. You're really committed, eh? I bet you aren't keeping my baby book up to date either, are you?"

And you're right. I have no excuses, but I will offer this potential explanation: You are just really fun to play with. You're also exhausting. I don't have a lot of oomph lately, but what oomph I do have goes into spending time with you. It leaves little to nothing for blogging.

Here's where you are developmentally:

- You can sit up unassisted, for a while. You sometimes topple. Other times, you can right yourself.

- You will frequently mimic us when we say "aaaahhhh" or smack our lips.

- You have eaten solid foods, but you don't really like it yet.

- You are teething. No teeth yet, but you are drooling all over the place right now.

- You can't crawl yet, but you can get your front half and your back half off the ground -- just not simultaneously.

- You squeal and laugh when things amuse you.

- We had to raise your bouncy chair to the second lowest setting because you were too tall for the lowest one. I remember when your Grandma bought you that chair and you were too short for it. We had to put a stack of books underneath for you to put your feet on.

- You seem to recognize the words and pictures of your bedtime book (Goodnight, Moon). Even if I don't have the book in my hands, you perk up when I start to recite the words. And if I do have the book, you perk up when you see the pictures, even if I haven't started reading yet.

- Your favorite toys are Towely, Mr. Shell, Ms. Whiskers, your bath cup, your squirty starfish, Mr. Putty, and the yellow teething ring.

You are still our favorite thing in the world. I think maybe you love your Daddy a little more than you love me right now, but I'm okay with that. It's really cute. You light up whenever you see Daddy. Don't get me wrong -- you smile really big when you see me too, but it's just a WEE bit bigger for Chris. Don't worry, though. He deserves it; he's a great Dad. He plays with you for hours every morning. He shows off your pictures to everybody (so do I).

I can't believe we've only known you for 6 months. It feels like you've been a part of our family forever. You make every day amazing. One smile from you is worth two hours' effort trying to elicit it.

Love,
Mommy