It’s been said before – but wow, where did the time go?  I have so much to be happy about and a little to be sad about too – but I am going to try really hard to concentrate on the good!  I have the happiest, most laid back baby on the planet!  I joked to someone the other day that he even smiles in his sleep.  She laughed as if she didn’t believe me.  On Tuesday Colin had his 6 month well visit at the pedi which caused his schedule to be a bit messed up so he zonked out in my arms while nursing that afternoon (I fell asleep too, actually).  When I woke up and looked down at him, this is what I saw.  Thank the Lord for cell phone cameras!  He really does smile in his sleep!  What an angel!

On Monday – Colin’s actual half-birthday - I was working out a glitch with my camera by taking some pics of him in his bouncer.  He often plays in his bouncer and watches me work during the day.  So basically these are test shots – but what precious test shots they are!  It wasn’t until later that I realized they were the only pics of him on his 6 month birthday. 

So, at 6 months Colin can almost sit by himself.  He can roll back to front and front to back.  Usually the rolling front to back is only because being on his tummy really pisses him off!  He loves to reach out and grab for your nose, ear, hair, eyes – whatever he can grab.  He says a lot of “Mamamamama” when he is hungry (brilliant child, I tell you!) 

Now on to the hard part.  My sweet little boy is only 14 1/2 lbs and has now dropped into the 5th percentile for his weight.  He is still in the 33rd for height (a 10% drop from 4 months, though).  I have been somewhat aware of this for a while but just kept on nursing and kept on believing that we were doing the right thing – which I KNOW we were.  I am 100% convinced that Colin’s nursing kept him from getting the swine flu when I had it at the beginning of October.   I don’t want to go into too much detail because this is highly personal to me and I refuse to defend any decision I have made.  Those that know me best know what I went through with Jack and know how utterly heartbreaking this is for me.  I have been having hormonal imbalances for a while now that I believe has affected my milk.  I have taken every supplement and tried every technique I know of to increase my supply and quality of my milk, but I feel like I am fighting a losing battle. 

Now that Colin can start solids I am going to really make sure he is eating super, good quality, high (good) fatty foods.  Avocado (he loves!), homemade brown rice cereal with some coconut oil etc.  He will be in heaven!  I have also researched the heck out of organic formulas.  It is no secret that I hate formula but understand that it might be needed to beef up his food.  I have finally found one that I can give Colin and still sleep at night!  All the name brands – even the organics have SOOO much added sugar and synthetic crap that I just couldn’t give it to him.  Good news is – I not only found one I am very happy with – but it is cheaper than name brands!  How often does that happen?  Usually in order to eat healthy foods you end up spending 2-3 times as much. 

I am still going to nurse Colin as long as I can – especially through flu season.  I am just not ready to give that up;  I have a bond with Colin that I never had with Jack at this age.  It is such a beautiful blessing. 

So, we will see how “Operation Plump Up” goes.  Please pray for both of us as we enter this new phase.