check up

And checking in.  The days sure do get away from me.

Yesterday, Malaikah visited the doctor.  Usually we are in and out easy peasy.  Yesterday was crazy busy and we waited over an hour.  I'm thankful that I have such an easy-going baby who didn't fuss one bit.  Also, it helps that she sits on her own now so I didn't have to hold her the entire time!

A few pictures from the last couple of weeks...

Wearing a onesie made by my friend Takisha in NJ.  You can't really tell, but that's a hippo (or, a rhino. I can't remember.)

17 pounds 5 ounce // 25 1/4 inches

15th percentile

It is really no surprise that Malaikah is going to be short.  Still, I wish she had hope of being taller.  I always thought my 5'4" frame was too short.  I'm already setting her up to hate her body. Must work on that!!

hanging with big brother one morning

The doctor was very pleased with how she is doing - she is growing, she's sitting well, has good eye contact, and a contagious smile.  She asked me if Maliakah is speaking any sounds yet and I said we get a lot of 'dadadadadadadada dada dada' (and yes, I try to work on "Mama").  The doc said this is a 9 month trick, so already, M is a prodigy and great things will come to her.  :)

playing with a little giraffe from a friend. This stays in her crib and she's often holding it when I get her in the morning.

There are still no signs of teeth coming, although she is drooling non-stop.  

all smiles for church on Sunday, March 29. The cute dress is from a woman who works for my dad.  

We are moving slowly in the food realm.  So far it seems she might like strawberries, broccoli, and oatmeal.  I was so glad that the doctor wasn't that concerned about just how slowly I'm going down that road.  We are still happily -- and easily -- breastfeeding. So why stop a good thing?  I can't say enough how much I like this doctor. Even though she was running an hour behind she took plenty of time with me to chat and answer my questions, and really took time with Malaikah, too.  So, so different from my experience in NJ with Kyalo.

Kyalo turns four on Friday (!!!!!!!) and we go for his first visit to a doctor in Maine at the end of April.  Is it weird how excited I am to take my children to the doctor?

six months

Well, last week our baby girl turned six months, and as is required, I sigh, 'where has the time gone?'  But really, how is it that she is already six months?  That the newborn stage is a distant memory?  That she's already so aware of the world around her?  A better question might be, when did I become so sentimental about it all?  I spend my time looking at her sweet face and want to memorize it, her toothless smile, her (mostly) hairless head, and then I look at Kyalo as he nears four and think, 'I can not remember him ever being this small!'  It is almost more than my heart can bear right now.

This has been a big month for Malaikah.  A week or so after turning five months she started sitting up:

She started out pretty shaking doing this, but by six months, she was a sitting up superstar:

She has rolled over, though only a couple of times so far.  Maybe she'll just skip rolling over and move right on to crawling or walking?  This is my favorite stage right now - when I can plop her down with a smattering of toys around her and she stays put.  Kyalo started crawling around 8 months, I think, so I have a few more weeks of this bliss.  Then it is on to baby proofing!  and shadowing her all the day long!

She LOVES Kyalo.  He makes her laugh like no one else.  Here's a video I tried to post last month, of him making her laugh hysterically.  Please note, that Kyalo has a 103* F in this video.  I wish I had this much energy every day. I'd get so much done!

Malaikah continues to be happy, content, easy going.  She will happily go to any one I hand her to, can be left alone with her toys for extended periods of time, and has the biggest, brightest smile you ever did see.

I think I'm going to be a little sad when her teeth start coming in

She drools non-stop, but there are no sign of teeth yet.  Since Kyalo didn't get his first two teeth until about 11 months, I am not expecting to see hers pop out until then. Fine by me!

more laughs

We have slowly ventured into food - and it is not going well.  I've given her avocado and banana and she just spits them out.  She was especially not pleased with banana.  I'm sorry we're not in Kenya right now - I'd be filling her up with fresh mango!  I'm not really in any rush for her to get into food, so we will take it slow and steady.  I'm going to try for Baby Led Weaning again, but mostly I just want to give her whole foods.  We will see how it goes.

And now, on to the six month photos.  I think she might be scared of the big camera because it is so hard to get her to flash her smile for me when I pull it out.  Still, I like these serious photos of her.  It is not uncommon to have her giving a stare-down.  

 a little smirk! swoon

And a couple of happy ones from the iPhone:

Kyalo loves her, too. He loves to make her laugh, and he loves to hold and hug her.  He'll often say, "I need to say good morning to Malaikah" and run to give her a kiss.  It hasn't always been easy or perfect, but I'd say things are going as well as they can.

 This picture looks like she's telling him a secret, and he's listening intently.  My biggest hope/prayer for them is that they be friends for life

possibly my favorite picture of them - look at the happiness and adoration she has because he's around

Well, she's stirring in her crib (too soon! what's that about?) so I better wrap this up.  Here's hoping I'm back with some more posts before seven months.