Holy cow! Six months old!

Honestly, I cannot believe it has been half a year since I gave birth to my baby girl. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday, and yet I look at Margaret, and oh my has she grown! We went to the zoo yesterday, and while looking at the giraffe exhibit, I read on a sign that baby giraffes grow 1/8th of an inch per day their first year. Well, Meggy hasn't grown that much, but some days it seems that way. 

I think her biggest milestones this month are sitting up, and - drumroll please - walking. 

Yes, I said walking. With help, of course, but as of Saturday, she has figured out that if she puts one foot in front of the other while someone is holding her hands, she can move! And not only forwards; she was walking backwards on Monday when Nana was holding her. And yesterday she walked halfway across the front yard before she decided she was tired. What a kid!

As I said, she has gotten really good about sitting up on her own, and since we've been in California, she has gotten so much better about catching herself before falling down. Even Nana was commenting on it yesterday. She is liking sitting up more now that she has better balance. It's still difficult sometimes to get her to sit when she really wants to stand, but now that she can reach for her toys, she sees the advantage of sitting without mommy or daddy holding her hands. We have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather out here by sitting out in the sin every day. I don't even take toys out with us, because if we sit under the trees, Meggy likes to reach for the leaves, and crunch them between her fingers. She is fascinated by the fact that they crumble in her hands, although she gets frustrated when she can't hold onto it anymore. Silly baby. 

Margaret mouse has been as good as gold during our visit! We are starting on our third week here, and  she has seen countless different faces and places and even animals! Thomas and I were SO grateful that Margaret has been a good traveler, and had a sweet temperament since birth, and this trip has been no exception. Even when she is so tired, and hasn't napped for four hours, Margaret still finds the ability to smile and play when she's around Nana and Papa's friends, or family. Honestly, I have no idea how she does it, because by that time *I* am such a grump! and ready for my nap! I'm pretty sure that Meggy is going to be more of an extravert, like her daddy. She loves showing off for people, and is getting much better about smiling for others. She has no objection when we hand her over to friends and family to hold her, even when she has just met them for the first time 5 minutes earlier. 

Personality, personality, personality. This child has it in droves. She and I popped in on a luncheon Nana had with all her friends on Monday. Margaret hadn't had a good morning nap, and was pretty grumpy on the drive over. As soon as we got into the apartment, and Meggy had all the ladies exclaiming over her, boy did she turn on the charm! Smiles and giggles galore, then when I put her on the floor, she made sure to show off her walking ability, as well as petting the kitty who was very curious about her. The ladies ate it up. Once we got back in the car, she cried all the way home. She also knows how to show her displeasure. During dinner last night, she did not want to sit in her high chair, and she didn't really like sitting next to Mom. Nana kept plying her with toys, and Papa tried singing to her and making silly faces while I finished up my dinner, but she wasn't having any of it. I finally finished and took her back to get her ready for bed. As soon as I put her on the bed, she started smiling and talking. She played peek-a-boo with the blanket, and was so happy to have me playing with her. I couldn't believe the transformation. 

My baby is growing up so fast. I miss those quiet days when all she did was cuddle, sleep and eat, but at the same time, now she is becoming so much fun! I love watching her explore everything, and trying to understand the big world around her. And I especially love the moments we have together when I say "I love you Margaret", and she smiles sweetly back at me. I love this mommy business, and after 6 months, it just keeps getting better and better!!