Ariana's 6-month check-up

I had Ariana to the doctor today for her 6-month check up. Doc was pleased to see her so happy and "talking"!

She weighs 13 lb 11.9 oz which puts her in the 8 %ile based on her weight-for-age.
She is 2' 2.5" and in the 70 %ile based on her length.
Her head is 16.5" around and shes in the 37 %ile for head circumference.

We talked about a number of things. First, they were very happy that she is sleeping in her room, in her crib! I still have two issues to work on. Feeding/bottles and getting her to de-tatch a bit.

I have started feeding her real food. She has rice cereal and a fruit in the morning and sometimes rice cereal with a vegetable/starch in the evening. She is finally doing really well with eating and especially loves her cereal, bananas and orange foods such as sweet potatoes, squash and carrots.

I've started giving her some prune juice every day but learned that the fruit is better for her. The doctor said foods that begin with the letter "P" help with poop!

Because she is slowly growing (in weight), I am going to start feeding her food at lunchtime too. I can actually try her on yogurt! I am also going to try to introduce the bottle (with either breast-milk or formula) again. Fingers crossed that works and we can definitely see she's getting "enough" to drink.

Right now Ariana is back up to waking and feeding three times a night which is at least two to many! They want me to go in when she cries and try to consol her, and not feed her. I really don't think that will work, but I will try. The hard part here is, I don't want her to wake the other girls sleeping.

As of now, she has no signs of teeth coming in.

Here is what they say she is learning now:
Looks at objects as they move across the room
Sits with support and rolls over
Reaches and grasps toys
Shakes and bangs rattles reaches for book
Makes sounds
Turns head towards sounds
Known own name
Stands with help

What we can do to encourage her development:
Share books together
Point and name pictures
Take and sing to your child
Play with your child on the floor
Make music part of each day
Create a safe environment for exploring
Use big smiles and big gestures
Praise your baby

What she will be learning next:
Stands by holding onto things
Crawls
Waves bye-bye and uses other gestures
Plays peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Enjoys looking at books with an adult
Enjoys dump and fill toys
Enjoys pull and push toys
Grasp small objects with thumb and finger
Will continue to shake, bang, throw and drop rattles
Imitates and enjoys many different sounds

Toys and games for a 6-month old:
Rattles
Mirrors
Activity centers
Soft or board books
Squeaky toys
Mommy or Daddy's face