Merrick at 6 Months

Merrick is changing so quickly right now! I generally start working on these updates about a week before posting them, but right now he is changing so quickly, it feels like I no sooner write something down, then he has changed again!

- At the end of our time in Alaska, he enjoyed tolerated walking through the tall grass on Mark's shoulders to go salmonberry picking.

- He traveled like a champ on our 15 hour trip back from Alaska, with the exception of a few bouts of crying on the plane and the car rides to and from the airport. After two months of not being in the car, Merrick decided he didn't like sitting in the car seat anymore...It has been a bit of a challenge now that we're back home. I went to check the mail at the post office the other day, and he cried all the way there and all the way back. After about 5 days of this, I found some pads to put on the shoulder straps and that seems to have done the trick. He occasionally fusses, but is mostly happy and has even fallen asleep in the car. MAJOR IMPROVEMENT! (In the picture below, we were hanging out at the park and I had his straps loosened.)

- Merrick warmed quickly to Grandma R. after we returned home.

- At his 6 month checkup, he weighed 17 pounds, 6 ounces and was 27 inches long. He has outgrown most 6 month sleepers because he is just too long!

- Not only one, but two teeth have appeared in the last few weeks.

- He really enjoys the park, whether it is swinging, laying in the grass, or watching other kids frolic around.

- He still enjoys bouncing and loves the jumperoo: 

- Merrick went swimming for the first time and loved it! We have another little water bug! I was a little worried because he trembled and fussed during bath time this summer and was a little scared at first in the pool. But after a minute or so, he relaxed and really started splashing!

- Napping isn't going very well, with only a handful of 30 minute naps throughout the day, but he has started sleeping longer at night, including a 9 hour stretch a few days after arriving home! Up to this point, the longest he had slept was maybe 7 hours. Those nights are the exception, but at least we get a few good nights. Sometimes, he'll nap for a couple hours at a stretch, too.

- He is rolling over really well, and is enjoying his time on the floor more and more. He's learning about mobility and rarely stays in the same spot, rolling to and fro and scooting himself to turn.

- He is beginning to be able to sit unsupported for brief periods, and he gets so much better at it every day. He still topples over, but doesn't seem to upset about it when he does.

 - This weekend we had dinner at Grandma's and he got to sit in the high chair for the first time. He was  fascinated with this new vantage point, but tiredness overtook him after a little bit.

With all the changes we've seen this month, I'm already getting excited to see how he will change over the course of the next month!