Gage's Baptism

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.  On coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.  "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

(Mark 1:9-11)

On the same day as your six month birthday, we had you baptized.  We feel it is important to bring you up in a loving, faith filled home, and the foundation of this for you is to enter into the church and give you new life with God through the waters of baptism.

We were so fortunate to have so many friends and family join with us to share in this celebration.  We truly felt all of the love and prayer they poured upon you, and we know that each one of them will have an impact on your life.

We chose Aunt Christine and Uncle Mike to be your godparents, as they are already such important figures in your life, and we know that they will continue to be there for you, helping to guide you spiritually.

The pictures below really speak to what a joyous day it was for our family!

Gage - Six Months Old

"The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow, 

for children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.

I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep."

The quote above really seems to hit home this month, as I can't believe that my baby has turned six months old!  It seems like only yesterday we were wondering if we were going to have a boy or a girl, and planning for procrastinating baby's arrival. 

The below are your stats from your doctor's appointment this month:

Height:                          26.8 inches (55th percentile)

Weight:                         17 lbs.  0 oz. (50th percentile)

Head circumference: 17.6 inches (75th percentile)

Diaper Size:                  Size 2 or 3

Clothing Size:              6 month, 6 - 9 month  and 9 month clothes, though you still fit into one or two three month shorts,  (though not for long)

Compared to most months, this was actually a quiet month for our little family.  We did not have any out of town trips planned with you and we really had a chance to be home and enjoy it!  Still though, you seemed to have changed so much in the last month.  Here are a few of the things you have been up to:

• You got to have separate weekends alone with both mommy and daddy.  We both took separate out of town trips (mommy to the lake, daddy to Manhattan) so we each got to spend our own special weekend with you while the other parent was away.  
• Daddy said he had so much fun the weekend you guys were alone together.  There were trips to Hooters (which you slept through), trips to Bass Pro and lots of walks outside.  Daddy even managed to get our friend Jordan to watch you Saturday morning so the boys could go watch a golf tournament (it was too hot outside for you, and it looked like you had fun with Jordan)!
• Mommy got to spend an extra long weekend with you while daddy was at a golf tournament in Manhattan!  We went shopping, went to the pool, relaxed and overall had so much fun.  I had so much fun with you, weekends like that make me wish I could spend more time with you.
• You did have your first two colds this month, within two weeks of each other. The first one you handled pretty well, never getting a fever or anything, but the second cold really took it out of you.  It was your first time staying home sick from daycare (though I'm sure it won't be the last).
• You've had a chance to try several different foods this month.  Squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, carrots, avocado and bananas.  Sweet potatoes are your favorite, by far.  There's nothing you haven't really liked (though avocado took some getting used to).  At our appointment this month, the doctor said we could start adding proteins to your diet, so I think we may start with chicken first!  Mommy has still been making your food for you (it just looks so much better and is cheaper too). 
• When you eat, you are starting to get a little more distracted, so sometimes it takes a little longer to get through a meal, but overall you are still a good little eater!
• You are eating four times a day.  Usually you start with an 8 oz bottle in the morning, and then will have 2 Tbls. of cereal and a veggie, along with a 6 oz bottle at around 11:30.  You will have another 8 oz bottle around 4.  At around 7,  you get in your last meal of the day, eating 2 cubes of veggies and a 6 oz bottle of formula. 
• We had to finally break down and get you a high chair this month.  It wasn't really cutting it anymore to try and feed you cereal and food sitting on the couch in the Boppy.  With your rolling abilities, you were pretty get at getting out of it and trying to roll right off the couch during meal time!
• You truly have blessed your mommy and daddy with your sleeping habits.  You are still our good sleeper, going to bed around 8 pm and usually waking up around 6:30.  There are days we sure wish you would sleep in a little later, but overall, we really can't complain!
• Speaking of sleep, this next video just cracks me up!  I love that we can put you down for bed and you will put yourself to sleep at night (though I can't say the same thing about naps, you scream bloody murder when I try to put you down awake for your naps).

Babble, babble, babble

• You are down to just two naps a days now, as we have dropped our late evening cat nap at this point.  You go to bed a little earlier now because of it, but it doesn't seem like you are getting up earlier in the morning because of it.
• I think that you are getting pretty close to crawling, which mommy is not ready for!  There is not a single baby proofed stairwell or outlet in our house.  I think we're going to have to get to work on it, because you are already getting up on your hands and knees and rocking back and forth.  You sometimes like to stand on your hands and feet, like you are getting into starting blocks for a race.  The video here shows how close you are getting!

Rocking, almost ready to roll!

• It is starting to feel like wrangling a monkey anymore while trying to change your diaper or get you dressed.  You constantly like to roll over and grab at things on the changing table (no doubt wanting to put whatever it is, into your mouth).  Half of the time anymore we will just change you on the floor so we don't have to worry about you rolling off of the dresser!
• You are starting to sit up on your own, without the Boppy or mommy holding you!  You still have to use your hands to hold you up, and you don't sit like this for too long, but you are definitely getting the hang of it!  We are also starting to see you go from  you hands and knees to back on your bottom like you want to sit.
• You did not get any new teeth this month, though I think we are getting close.  Lately you have been chewing on everything in sight, and have your days where you seem to be a little more fussy than normal because of it.  We think your top two teeth may be next!
• After much consideration, we decided this month that we are going to switch daycares.  We don't get to start at the new daycare until the beginning of September, but we did not feel like our current situation was the right fit for you.  We are really looking forward to starting at the new daycare next month!
• You continue to love playing in your exersaucer, but the jumperoo may be in the running now for favorite toy.  You can really get to going in it, jumping really hard (especially if you are done being in it).  We even find you trying to jump when you're not in your jumperoo.  This next video of you playing with Grammy while in your jumperoo shows you what I mean:

Jumperoo!

• You're other favorite toys to play with are the train cars you got from cousin Kaden and your Sophie.  I can tell you're such a boy already, as you like smashing the cars together and making loud, crashing noises with them.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last month:

Mr. Declan was in KC and stopped by to visit us!

How cute is he??

Aunt Bridget got in some snuggles with Declan

Gage also got in some snuggle time with Aunt Abby!

The only picture I have of Gage and Declan without any tears

Such a big boy starting to sit up on his own!

Right before he toppled over

Love him...to pieces.

What happens when dad dresses me! (Though camo onesie/cutoff jean shorts day was way better)

Gage and mommy selfie!  Still looks so much like daddy.

Big boy up on my hands and knees

Drool king

Getting his "supermans" in for the day

Out shopping with mommy!

Daddy rocking me before bed

Big boy in his new high chair, and he's loving it!

Littlest (and cutest) StormChasers fan

Mom, this is how I eat it, right?

Backing into his starting blocks, getting ready for the race!

Grammy Kim feeding me dinner

What a sweet smile!  Matching hats with daddy.

Spending some time with Grandpa

Love my jumperoo!

Looking up at the bird

Grandpa loves you! 

Seriously, what a ham!

Playing with Grandma

Grandma loves you too!

Here are a few outtakes from your six month photo shoot:

Gage, your daddy and I love you so much.  You have changed our lives, but you have made them so much richer.  We are so grateful for the blessing it is to have you as our son.  We have enjoyed these last six months watching you grow and change, and we can't wait to see what the next six months has in store for us.  Gage William, we love you to the moon and back!