1/2 year birthday! 6 months old

I truly cannot believe my little baby is 6 months old already. Where did the last 6 months go??? Today (Friday) Alayna had her 6 month well baby check up. Here are her current stats...26 inches long (50%), 14 lbs 6.5 oz (25%), 40 cm head circumference (10%). She is growing on track and has been pretty much in the same percentiles since she has been born. The appt went pretty well until vaccination time. Alayna got 4 vaccines. One orally, which she did not like and was gagging on and 3 shots. She was very tired to begin with and ready for a nap so she did not tolerate any of the vaccines very well at all. It was very hard to watch her be so upset and not be able to do anything until the shots were done. Once I picked her up, she quieted down right away.

The doctor was very impressed with her skills. Alayna showed her how she can sit all by herself now. She is still pretty unstable, if she tries to move to pick something up she topples right over, but she can sit! She also showed her how she can army crawl and get up on all fours and rock. Dr. Wallace was excited to see that and told us we better start baby-proofing b/c she will be full on crawling very soon. Oh Lord!!

We haven't done anything very exciting, as far as excursions, in the past month, but Alayna did watch mommy and daddy play in a few softball tournaments. She also went with us to take Reeses to the dog park. Now that it is finally getting cooler out, we also try to walk outside a little more and got the jogging stroller fixed so I can take her on runs with me as I prepare for my triathlon next month.

Alayna is eating very well also. She is taking about 26-30 oz of formula a day and one serving of oatmeal cereal. We started with rice cereal after her 4 month appt but really she didn't like that all that much and constantly made faces when eating. So, we tried moving to oatmeal and she likes it a lot more. We have gotten the go ahead to start on some fruits and veggies so this weekend Alayna will get some carrots for the first time. We'll take pictures and video of her experience.

Alayna is really starting to grow up. She recognizes her name and knows her mommy and daddy. We get big smiles when we pick her up from daycare after work. She is also starting to develop stranger anxiety, which I guess isn't a bad thing, but she can be clingy at times. She loves to play on the floor with all of her toys but she really likes the remote control and our cell phones. She is always reaching for both whenever they are around.

As for Derek and I, as always we are busy. Now with fall coming bowling season has started. So along with our softball leagues, we are both bowling in leagues. I am also training for a triathlon next month here in Mansfiled. Derek and Alayna will soon be taking a trip to Seattle to visit Derek's family and next month Alayna and I will be going to Milwaukee to meet Baiya Lyn Brown, the daughter of one of my best friends, Trish.
Till then, I will continue to post Alayna's "firsts" and fill you in on what is going on here in Texas.

Here are some pictures from the past month. More can be seen on my facebook page.