6 month Sunday!

Our baby is half a year old today! I have never liked the 6 month birthday, because it always implies they are that much closer to being a year old. Yet, it is by far my favorite milestone/developmental stage because she is truly becoming her own little person and starting to learn how to navigate in this big world.

Samantha seems to be cutting some teeth, is not a big fan of real food and continues to be the most content little soul you'll ever meet. She is sleeping at least 12 hours at night {and has been since she was 11 weeks old}. At her most recent doctor's appointment {did I mention we have been there at least once a week since 1-1-11?} she weighed 19 pounds.

She thinks her brother is hilarious and laughs whenever he walks in the room. She already adores her big sister and has to watch her every move when she is in eye-sight. She is rolling all over the place and starting to push up on her hands.
And after horribly long days at work, when I feel like the worst mother in the world and wonder if she will begin to wonder who I am, I am always greeted with the biggest smile and her little noise that we know means she is excited. My heart melts every time. The past 6 months have been amazing with her in our little family.

Despite the fact that {yet again} Samantha spiked a fever mid-day and Nate woke up with pink eye yesterday, we decided {strike that, NEEDED} to go to the beach today. It was near 70, we all have cabin fever and the waves were calling our names. I figured we wouldn't be sharing germs out in the fresh air, so we went. And as usual, as soon as we pulled into our little parking spot, I questioned why we had waited so long. Yes, it's been cold. Yes, our kids have been sick for an ENTIRE MONTH. But once we set foot on this peaceful spot, it soothes me and calms my heart. And watching the Daddy my once boy-friend has become, never ceases to amaze me.Don't get me wrong. I always knew he would be a good Daddy. But watching him in action as he chases them down the coast and as he shows them how to build the perfect sandcastle is something I never imagined. We had our traditional "beach doughnuts." {and never washed the excess chocolate off messy faces until we got home}Some ran and ran until their little feet couldn't run any further, while others quickly fell asleep to the peaceful ins-and-outs of the waves.

It's been a long month. I miss my family in NY. I miss my kids when I am at work. I miss my husband when days and nights are long with sick kids. I miss "old" friends who don't have to ask how I'm doing because we are so close they just know. I miss having the energy to do fun and exciting things with my kids, instead of cramming every odd job and needed chore into the spare moments I have each day. But I can't focus on those things, or I quickly become the grumpy mom I dread. I can be honest and admit {through streams of tears} that it's time for a break. But after a day like today, with the sunshine reminding me Spring WILL come again and watching my kids find such joy in God's creation, I have refueled my tank just enough to get me through yet another long week.