6 Months, 10 Things, and 4 Reasons...

Where does the time go? December is already half over, 2010 is almost here, and my baby girls are 6 1/2 months old! On Friday I took them to their 6-month well child exam, and here is what we learned....

Isabel
Length: 24 in (5-10th percentile)
Weight: 13 lbs (5-10th percentile)

Elliana
Length: 25 3/4 in (50th percentile)
Weight: 14 lbs 2 oz (10-25th percentile)

Developmentally speaking, we are really getting into a fun stage with the girls. In addition to doing all the things growing babies do, they are starting to interact with each other and with Abel and Amariah; and that has been truly amazing to watch.

10 Things About Isabel at 6 Months

• getting closer to sitting up without help
• reaches for everything
• laughs silently or with her fist in her mouth most of the time
• loves to be "in the action"
• stands on her tiptoes (with support)
• busts her legs out of all snap-up sleepers
• holds her toes
• plays with her voice by gurgling or inhaling loudly (and subsequently choking herself)
• moves around the floor by spinning and "crab walking" (lifting her butt off the floor and pushing with her feet)
• sleeps on her side with her arms over her face

10 Things About Elliana at 6 Months

• sits with help
• strives to have her feet within reach of anything she can kick
• stifles her laugh by stuffing her fist in her mouth
• loves to be held or to lay at our feet
• stands (with support) for a time before decidedly and heavily collapsing onto her butt
• lying flat on her back, holds her arms and legs out stiff just above the floor and twirls her wrists and ankles
• holds her toes
• plays with her voice by loudly squealing, "coughing," and spitting
• tries to scoot and/or express excitement by doing the "worm squirm" (writhing her head and body in a snake-like fashion)
• sleeps and eats with her hands resting on the top of her head

And finally,...

4 Reasons Why I'm a Happy Mommy

(L to R): Abel (3 yrs 8 mos), Elliana (6 mos), Amariah (2 yrs 5 mos), Isabel (6 mos)

Kids Say, vol. 4

On the heels of my last post, I just overheard this conversation and thought it would be appropriate to share.  You've got to love the brutal honesty.... :-)

Abel:  Sometimes we fight.
Amariah:  Yeah.
Abel:  And sometimes we be naughty.
Amariah:  Yeah.
Abel:  Sometimes we cry.
Amariah:  Yeah.
Abel:  And sometimes we throw fits.

A Promise Realized

When I first became a mom, it didn't take me long to realize that there is temptation to sin even within the realm of parenthood.  How many times in Scripture are parents instructed to "train," "discipline," and "correct" their children?  And yet, as my firstborn (Abel) grew and the sin nature began to rear its ugly head in him, I often found myself growing weary of training, disciplining, and correcting; and at those times I was very tempted to simply ignore the wrong behavior of my son because it was easier than dealing with it.

I'm not going to claim that I've never given into that temptation.  I have.  It's hard to be consistent and persistent.  BUT, as I continually realize, it's worth it.

Tonight I was sitting in the kitchen with Abel, now 3 1/2 years old; and as we visited and laughed together, my heart was blessed.  His polite words, his happy countenance, his sincere laugh... it was pleasant to be in his company.  And I was reminded of a promise in Scripture that I have been clinging to for a few years:  "Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; he will also delight your soul" (Proverbs 29:17).

I am so glad that God has given (and is giving) me the wisdom and the patience to persevere in parenthood.  I am glad that giving into the temptation to ignore wrong behavior has not been par for the course of my parenting, because as Scripture says, "a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother" (Proverbs 29:15).


I am thankful for a son who gives me comfort and who delights my soul.  My Abel.  I love him.