Six months, where has time gone? Ivy Jean, you are the light of our lives. Our miracle girl. Your dad and I cannot believe how you have grown and changed. You amaze us every day, and being your parents has brought us a joy and a capacity for love we didn’t know possible. We understand more about our heavenly father because of you, and that is a true gift. When we see you, we see the impossible made possible and prayers answered. I cannot wait until you are old enough to explain just what your life means and the journey your dad and I took with God on the way to your birthday.
It has also been one of the hardest seasons of our lives as we learn to lay ourselves aside, stretch our patience, and see new sides of each other, both good and bad. You are so strong. Our little fighter, making your own way from the beginning and reminding me over and over that I am not in control. A lesson I probably need to learn over and over again, though I don’t like it any more today than I did yesterday.
At 6 months you are 13 pounds and 9 ounces – exactly nine pounds over your preemie birth weight. At your 34 week adjusted percentiles, you measure in the 28th percentile for weight. You LOVE to stand and bounce. You are spunky. If toys do not do exactly what you want them to, you get mad. It is funny. And a little exhausting if I am being completely honest. You like it when I sing to you, a fact that boggles my mind a little. I hope you never realize how off-key I am. You smile when I wake you up and completely do me in.
Your laryngomalacia is better but not gone. Because of this you still struggle with acid reflex and pain and basically live in bibs. It’s hard for your dad and I to watch. Bottles usually still take 45 minutes to an hour. You take 6 ounces five times a day and still sleep like a champ. One of my favorite traits of yours. 🙂
We started solids foods at your 6 month mark. We decided it would be best to wait and give you a little time to grow. Your dad and I don’t claim to know what we are doing, but I think it was the right decision. You can sit up for a second by yourself and hold your head up so well (have for a while now) which made us think you were ready. You seem to love rice cereal! We are going to try veggies this week.
We celebrated your 6 month mark with half a cake just the way Gamma did for me when I was little. This basically meant your dad and I high fived each other for surviving and ate cake. If the way you looked at it was any indication, I think you may love sweets as much as I do.
We love you, Ivy Jean Arnold. Thanks for making me a mama.
Thank you Randy Yeats Photography for capturing this special time in our lives. 
My Dress – linking in a couple places because it is starting to sell out
Russ’s Outfit Details
Ivy’s Outfit Details – exact romper from Old Navy and sold out, linking similar options
