Six Months

Kathleen is six months old. Where has the time gone? She has come so far in those six months. She's gone from a tiny newborn that just cried all the time, to a smiley, interactive child who sits up by herself and plays with toys, who loves to stand when you hold her hands to steady her, who really wants to get moving but can only go from sitting up to lying on her tummy, who is eating one solids meal a day and enjoys fruit, and who is starting to "talk" back when you "talk" to her. She hasn't changed in some respects though – she still hates being put to bed, hates being left alone, and loves being held and carried.

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I were talking about Big Life Events, and it is funny how they change your perception of time. By far the biggest event in my life has been the birth of Kathleen. And although it was only six months ago, I cannot remember what life was like before that. And yet I remember the day she was born so well. It's almost as though my life started the same day hers did. I guess it did in a way.

We have a regular daily routine going now. Every day is slightly different depending on what time Kathleen wakes up, but she normally wakes up sometime around 7am. Then throughout the course of the day she will have four 40 minute naps, and be up for about two hours inbetween the naps. She normally has fruit for lunch. I have tried to introduce her to vegetables as well but she doesn't want to know about it.

Kat is now well accomplished at sitting and is keen to get off her bottom and get moving. She will lean forward from her sitting position until she is on her hands and knees. Unfortunately once she gets to that stage she doesn't quite know what to do next and ends up stuck. Also if she is sitting down and you hold her hands she will pull herself into a standing position. She loves standing up.

She's quite the little drama queen too. She'll be lying down crying and as soon as you pick her up, or pull her up to standing, she is all smiles again. How do you tell a six-month old baby that you know she's faking it???

At the end of June/beginning of July Kathleen and I went to Palmerston North and Wellington for a visit. Kat is now a seasoned traveller, having made six flights and one train ride (PNth to Wgtn) in her life.

Recently everyone in our little family came down with the flu. Kat had it for about a week, I have finally shaken it after 4 weeks, and Peter still has it. We have all been very miserable.

Peter has been put forward for several jobs in Wellington but no luck yet. He actually flew down for an interview a while ago, and after a couple of weeks of leaving messages with the agency wondering what was going on, he finally got told "sorry they've decided to restructure the position". Grrrr.

After a six-month hibernation we are starting to think about getting our lives back again. When Kat and I were in Wellington we went out to dinner at a restaurant with the family, Kat's first time. It didn't go very well but she hadn't slept too well that day and was in a bad mood to start with. It was my mistake to try putting her into a highchair as soon as we arrived. I just wanted to see what she'd do. Well, she hated it, and didn't have any problem letting us know about it. So that's ok, she can sit on my knee while we order and maybe she'll relax a bit. When the food arrived we put her back in the highchair. Nup, still didn't like it. So grandma/Mimi and I took turns eating while the other kept Kat entertained in the bar. It might have helped a bit if Daddy had been there too.

After we got back to Auckland again I invited some old work friends around for dinner. I think it's the first time we've entertained since she was born. That went a lot better and Kat was well behaved and happy to play while we all sat around talking. Once again when it was time to eat she got a bit stroppy and once again we took turns eating. But at least we were at home so it was a bit easier.

Then this week we took her out socialising. One of Peter's friends is off on his OE soon and was having drinks at a bar in town. The three of us went along and Kathleen was very well behaved indeed. She spent most of her time just looking around gobsmacked at all the people and lights and things going on.

So each time we've done something it's gotten a little better each time. Next week we're going to put it to the big test and go out to a restaurant again. The key will be timing things right for when she's just had a good sleep and just eaten, rather than making a reservation and having to stick to it regardless of how she's feeling.

Will keep you posted.

-Megz