never could have guessed...

... how stealthy spit up can be. No warning, no noise whatsoever, all of a sudden I'll hear a splat, look down, and there's a white puddle on the floor. And on that note...

... how many clothes/bibs/burp rags/blankets one tiny person can dirty in a day! Seriously! I could probably do a load of laundry every other day. I had no idea.

... how a 60-second snuggle in the glider, with a baby heavy and content against my shoulder, could recharge me for an entire day.

I have a very active child so this does not happen very often. :)

... how terribly difficult it is to cut a baby's nails! Getting him to hold still, then quickly trying to focus on those tiny nail beds, and attempting to cut enough nail to get it short but not too much that he'll bleed - it's quite a job!

Again, I have a very active child - stillness RARELY happens.

... how six straight hours of sleep would become a true luxury. While Boone goes down around 8 and stays in bed until about 7 the next morning, he usually wakes at least once a night crying for his pacifier or asking to be re-situated. He has allowed us a 6-hour slumber stretch a handful of times, and it is indescribably wonderful. I will never, ever, ever take sleep for granted again. Ever.

... the emotion that accompanies packing away out-grown clothes! I have quickly come to dread this chore. Ask me to do anything that reminds me he is growing up and the tears will start to well. (Don't get me wrong, I LOVE watching him change and grow - the letting go of precious baby days is just rough!)

... the instant kinship I would feel with other moms. Doesn't matter where I am - grocery store, out for a walk, watching one in a movie - rather than a stranger, I see a friend. Someone I can now relate to on so many new levels. Furthermore, every baby, every child I see is someone's Boone. And because of that, I love them all. :)

... how easily tears come. When I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm tired, really doesn't matter, just feels like I am always on the verge of crying about something! Maybe that's because after the last year I realize how fleeting life is, I don't know, I just feel things so deeply right now.

... how an undisturbed nap is now one of the greatest gifts someone could give me. Most days, I'd pay money to lay in a quiet, dark room for an hour.

... what Scripture means by "unconditional love." After years of walking with Him, I now view the Father's love for me in an entirely new context. Even after the fussiest, most taxing day with Boone, I'd take a bullet for him without thinking twice. He has nothing positive to offer me (except a smile and that adorable giggle) - essentially he takes and takes and takes and I give and give and give. Yet I don't love him because of what he can do for me. I don't love him because he loves me. I love him because he is my son. And no circumstance can take that away. I will love him forever, no matter what. Period. And this is the sort of incredible love that Scripture tells us that God has for His people, those He has adopted and names His children. That blows me away.

six months

My precious boy, I don't know how it's possible that I am writing to a six-month old. People always warned me about time flying... only now do I really understand what they were saying.

You continue to grow and change and surprise us every day. Busy, busy, busy, you are constantly reaching out to grab everything your big blue eyes can see (whether or not it's within reach). Once grabbed, it always, always goes straight into your mouth. I can only imagine how life will change around here when you figure out how to crawl toward all of the temptations that surround you. :) I have got to get it in gear and start baby-proofing NOW.

This has been a big month for you, sweetheart. We survived your first cold (and it took a definite group effort to get you through it). You were whiny, lost your appetite and woke up every hour or so for three nights. Pretty miserable for all of us. Putting a humidifier in your room helped you make the turn and clear up your congestion. Glad to have that first cold behind us.

About three weeks ago, we began offering you rice cereal mixed with fruit. You weren't a big fan at first, but quickly you figured out how to swallow and now you're eating like a champ. So far we've only tried the cereal with pears, apples and bananas. You definitely prefer pears and apples - the bananas still elicit a puckered face and full-body shiver!

You've also mastered sitting up! All of a sudden one day, you just didn't fall backwards on me. Now you can go five minutes or longer balancing yourself. And you are loving the freedom this brings - it allows you to reach even better for the toys that surround you!

You can ALMOST make it through the night now without waking up. We've been putting you down between 8-9 and you'll stay in bed until 7-7:30, usually waking just once around 5, whining for your pacifier. Typically you nap 3 to 4 times a day (must be nice). You're eating five times daily, every 3 to 3.5 hours, taking solids at your fourth feeding and a bottle at bedtime. We have your six month check-up next week, so I'll have to update this later with your weight/height stats.

Your sense of humor cracks us up! You laugh quickly and easily, just like your Daddy. Things you currently find really funny: the doggies, getting scared/surprised, when we baby talk to you (saying ba-ba or ma-ma or ga-ga) and being tickled. We do some pretty ridiculous things in hopes of hearing you giggle. It's the best noise in the world!

We got you a jumperoo for your half-year birthday and you are fascinated with it. You're not quite tall enough to really get going with bouncing in it, but you love moving around and playing with all of the attached toys. The first time I put you in it, you set a record, not uttering a sound for more than 30 minutes as you carefully explored all of the colors and lights.

Last week, I heard about the friend of a friend whose 14-month old son just went to be with Jesus. His mommy put him down for a nap and he never woke up. After hearing this, through many tears, I once again surrendered you to the Lord. You are first of all His. I only get to care for you for the amount of time that He deems best. I mean it with all my heart when I say that every. single. second. with you is indescribably precious. Being your mommy is the greatest gift.

Happy half-birthday to you, mister Boone! We love you more than you can possibly know.