6 Month!

RUTHIE MACKENZIE
6 MONTHS
16 lbs 13 oz 26 1/2 inches

I cannot believe my baby girl is 6 months old! Wow does time fly!! What a wonderful 6 months it has been getting to know my baby girl and getting to know my husband as a daddy. Life is good, challenging, but good.

Some big, but awesome changes. We've been following Babywise (I highly recommend it) from Day 1 of Ruthie's life. It has been a great guide in helping our baby get good rest and being an easy, manageable baby as well. Around 2 weeks in age, Ruthie began sleeping "through the night" what a blessing. It hasn't always been smooth sailing, but it's been good. When she woke, I'd feed her and put her right back down to sleep and she'd sleep another 4+ hours. Recently, Ruthie changed up her schedule on us and began waking up every two hours at night. YIKES! After a few restless nights (more likes weeks) we decided to read Babywise again and come up with a plan. The plan you ask... to get our baby sleeping through the night again. What we learned is that Ruthie should be able to go all night without being fed... so on June 1st-- we put our plan into action. Here is how we began:

June 1st- carried on our normal schedule during the day.
6:30 pm- breastfed and rice cereal
*bathtime
*snuggles and books
7:30 pm- breastfed
8:00 pm- Night Night

1:00 am- woke up crying. We let her cry it out for 11 minutes and she put herself back to sleep
4:30 am- woke up crying. She cried it out for 1/2 hour and put herself baack to sleep

6:30 am- Wake-up time and breastfed

OUR NEW SCHEDULE

6:30 am- Wake Up
8:00 am- Nap
Wake Up & Eat- No Earlier than 9:30 am- so if she fusses... let her put herself back to sleep
- No Later than 10:30 am

10:30 am- Breastfeed
12:30 pm- Breastfeed & offer cereal
1:00 pm- Nap
Wake Up & Eat- No Earlier than 2:30 pm- so if she fusses... let her put herself back to sleep
- No Later than 3:30 pm

3:30 pm- Breastfeed
6:30 pm- Breastfeed & Baby Food
7:00 pm- BathTime
7:15 pm- Books
7:30 pm- Breastfeed & Bed

** Ruthie has really adapted well and quickly to her new schedule. She's been sleeping through the night now for 1 1/2 weeks. Only two nights of waking and crying herself back to sleep (mostly less than 10 mintutes with the exception of one 1/2 hour cry on the first night) and now she sleeps soundly! GO RUTHIE!! *

Dear Ruthie--

6 Months Old Baby Girl! Wow! You're such a big girl. You are such a ham. I love you to pieces. You are sitting by yourself for longer periods of time now. Taking two or three great naps a day and then sleeping through the night! I can't believe that we just celebrated your half birthday! You are always happy! Smiling smiling smiling. You'd love more than anything to stand up and walk, so you try and pull yourself up any free moment you got!
The other day, I was painting my toe nails while you played on your play mat. You kept reaching for the toenail clippers so I had to move them far away. That didn't stop you this time. You rolled over onto your stomach and the rolled again on your back. Focused on the clippers, scooted a little, and then rolled over onto your stomach until you could grab them. (Little Stinker) I was amazed but then knew it was time to focus on baby proofing the home since you were learning how to get into things you really wanted!
You're a little fish in the water. :) -- I take you to the pool almost every day. You absolutely LOVE the pool. You kick you little legs like a little frog :)-- so precious. Every time I pick you up you instantly stick your thumb in your mouth and hold me tight. I love those moments. :) You are my sweet little girl. I love you so much Ruthie Mackenzie. These next few months are going to be very exciting. For you 7 month, we'll celebrate with some fireworks! How does that sound :) --
Your parents love you Ruthie. I can't imagine life without you.

Love Always,

Mommy and Daddy

PS- Keep practicing mama... you almost got it!