{Eli Ryan, Six Months}

Dear Eli,

You are now six months old. We can't believe you have been in our home for half a year, but yet we can't imagine life without you. Our family has never felt more complete since you joined us. We are enjoying you so much at the stage you are in right now.

You have an incredibly sweet, happy personality. You make it hard for any of us to be grouchy for very long. All you have to do is flash us one of you big gummy, dimply smiles and it's over. We are hooked. Addicted. Obsessed with your infectious smile. You are quite the flirt and freely give out your priceless smiles every where we go. You have a shyness about you that leaves everyone coming back for more. You flash them a big smile and then quickly turn your head into me to hide. You are one popular little guy.

You have Adalee hooked as well. She can't help but smother your cuteness, literally smother, every chance she gets. She is always trying new tricks to make you laugh, which in reality she doesn't even need to do. She could just stare at you and you will let out a giggle. You are so good to put up with her "loves" that she insists on giving you. Whether it's a bike pedal to the head, or laying on top of you, you still adore her. She loves her A-yi.



And then there is your mama. You have me smitten worst of all. I can't help but stop everything I'm doing just to kiss you to death. I always thought it was a little creepy to hear mother's say they just want to gobble their kids up. I now understand. You will probably be claustrophobic like sister due to me being inches away from you at all times, smothering you with kisses. I can't help it. Your sweet cheeks and short stubby neck get to me. And then there's your feet. My biggest weakness. I can't help but gobble those up too. And neither can you. It's your new favorite trick and I love it. You are pretty proud of little self. The second your socks are off their in your mouth.



You are a mama's boy, but your Daddy has a pretty good hold on you too. Or should I say, you have a hold on him? He will go to any extreme to get one more laugh out of you. He is so happy to have his little buddy and already talks about all of your adventures to come. Golfing, playing football, watching sports together.

I on the other hand, am quite enjoying the fact that you are a bit on the sensitive side and oh so sweet. I'm not sure why you decided to join our family because we are loud, and you my boy, do not like loud. Loud noises bring out your big pouty lip. There are even certain toys that bring tears to your eyes. I think you are helping us to tone it down a little bit around here :)

You are finally able to sit up. We declared you officially sitting up on my birthday. But you clearly have places to go because you won't sit for very long before you topple over. Although, I'm not sure you will be going anywhere, anytime soon. We call you our rubber baby. You're just a big wobbly, bobbly, bundle of love. You can't hold still and are constantly bobbing that head of yours. You love music and especially love when mama sings and bobs her head at you. It makes you laugh every time.

You love your baths.

You aren't a huge fan of baby food yet. You sit with your mouth wide open and your tongue hanging out trying to push it out. When you finally realize it's not going anywhere, you gag it down.

You love to kick. You wind yourself up and then let it go! We call it your donkey kong kick. Sister is not a fan of this when you are in the bathtub together. It's your only chance to get back at her!

You are early to bed and early to rise. You're on a 5:00 a.m. kick for some reason. Sometimes you just want an early morning snack, but then you go right back to sleep.



You are tall and thin. At six months you are in the 93rd percentile for height (28 inches), 13th percentile for weight (15 lbs. 4 oz.), and 35th percentile for your head measurement. Everyone always comments on how long and skinny your are.

Eli, you are sweet in every way. Even though you are small we feel such a strong presence from you and know you will you do great things.



Happy half-birthday Mr. Eli. We love you more than words can express.

Love,
Mama, Daddy, and Sister