6 months!

Ben turned 6 months old on Sunday! Happy half birthday, big guy. Wish we celebrated more, but it was a lousy, rainy, lazy day. Ben's stats from his check-up on Monday:

Height: 27.5 inches (90th percentile)
Weight: 19lbs, 4oz (75th percentile)

We started Ben on rice cereal last weekend, and we're making some progress. The first several attempts, while hilarious, were total disasters. In recent days he appears to be swallowing some, as long as the spoon remains in his mouth. The biggest problem is his attention span...he would rather watch whatever Mya or Major are doing and subsequently try to launch himself out of his Bumbo seat than make a solid effort at eating. Frustrating.

Fun developments over the past week:
- "High fives" - If you put your palm up in front of him, he will reach out to try to touch it. As he does, we pat his hands and cry, "High fives!" He loves it.
- Sitting and reaching - Ben now sits up independently for minutes on end. He's still a little wobbly, but almost always catches himself before he falls. He now reaches far front of him and off to the side for toys that we lay just outside his grasp! Better yet, he can pull them back onto his lap without tumbling over.
- Scooting - If barefoot and on the right surface, Ben is starting to scoot along now. He doesn't exactly tuck his knees under himself yet, but he can plant his feet down, raise his butt in the air, and launch forward! I fear the days of babyproofing all over again are near!
- Sibling love - Mya and Ben sit and have "laugh-offs" now. Mya will smile and laugh at Ben, who smiles and laughs back, which makes Mya crack up, and so on. It makes Mommy and Daddy laugh out loud too!