6 months.

Dear Holly,

Today is your very first half-birthday. It was 6 months ago today that I first got to meet you, just 4 days after my 35^th birthday. And my life has not been the same nor will it ever be the same.

I have to say, you are such an easy baby to take care of. I say that because, for me as your Daddy, keeping you alive is kind of the main concern during your newborn days.

When I see your smiley face and your bouncy body, I am reminded of what a joy it is to take care of you.

Just look at this Instragram I took of you this morning…

It helps that I know what I’m doing this time around, unlike with your brother Jack; back when I was a first-time dad.

But now I know how it works. I’ve just completed the first 2 weeks of sleep-training you, by applying “The Cry It Out” method. And now you sleep through the night.

It was such a scary thing to try out on your brother. But with you, I am not trying out The Cry It Out method; I am simply applying it, in full confidence.

I suppose that’s a big part of you being such an easy baby: Because Mommy and I get to sleep more than we did when your brother was your age.

Your ability to sleep through the night at this age also goes hand in hand with you now beginning to eat solid foods. A couple of weeks ago Chicco sent us their new NaturalFit bottle for you to try out.

I didn’t even know Chicco made bottles. I just recognized the name from the old car seat we haul you around in, which you inherited from your nearly 6 year-old brother. (See below.)

Mommy quickly admitted the Chicco Natural Fit bottle has an easy flow to it, that it’s easy for her to hold, and that it never leaks; which is a big deal. Too bad we don’t have these bottles this entire time with you!

This past week though, I could tell that the formula alone just wasn’t enough for you. After drinking 6 ounces at a time, you would spit up the final ounce but still seem hungry.

I will say, you’re not totally excited about the concept of actually eating solid food. You act disgusted by  the texture, which is likely the case.

However, you seem very curious when Mommy and I eat chips and salsa.

You’ll have to work your way up to that.

Love,

Daddy