Chronicles of a Carolina Mama: Happy 6 months, Macey!

Was it really six months ago that I stayed up all night long, excitedly timing my contractions while Camden and Matt slept peacefully next to me? Has it been an entire half of a year since I held my little girl for the very first time? It doesn't seem possible-- and yet, the calendar tells me otherwise. These six months have flown by in the blink of an eye. Macey is very much a part of our family now, so intertwined with the rest of us that, in a way, it feels like she's always been here.

At 6 months old, Macey:

Weighs in around 13 lbs, 11 oz (according to my home scale-- we'll get an official weight check at her pediatrician appointment next week). Not sure about her length right now.
Nurses every 3-4 hours during the day (and a few times at night too-- but we'll get to that later).
Eats solids 2 times a day-- late morning & dinner time. Breakfast is normally oatmeal mixed with a fruit (usually pears or peaches) and dinner is typically a veggie (usually squash or sweet potatoes). Most days, she'll eat 2.5 oz at each meal. However, we've been having some issues with constipation-- one night, it even got so bad that she was yelling in pain while pooping. It was pretty traumatic for Macey and me. So, I eliminated the solids that are known to constipate or just aren't as easy to digest (bananas, apples, carrots, etc.) and subsituted more digestion-friendly items like pears, prunes, & sweet potatoes. She's still having some constipation issues, though not nearly as bad as that one awful night, so I'll be discussing this with her pediatrician in a few days.
Naps 2-3 times a day. At least one of those naps is long-- sometimes 2 are long (1-3 hours). Interestingly enough, it's her morning nap that's typically very short. I'm just letting her take the lead, though, and not forcing the issue if she takes a catnap. She can typically stay awake about 2-2.5 hours in between naps now. She always naps in her crib.
Is swaddle free! Wooohoo! She naps & sleeps at night in her Merlin's Magic Sleep Suit (aka: her giant yellow astronaut suit).
Nights are...uhh, kind of a mess. I've been putting off sleep training because: a) I hate it & I dread it, b) I wanted to wait until she was 6 months old, c) I wanted to get her next round of vaccinations out of the way first and d)I hate it & I dread it. Did I already say that? I've moved Macey out of her Rock N Play, so she starts each night in her crib. Typically, she'll sleep about 3 hours before waking up and wanting to lay with me. Then, she's up nursing every 2-3 hours after that-- I'm assuming because I'm lying right next to her and she smells me all night, much like her brother did at this age. This time, though, I'm not stressed about it at all. I know it's fixable, I know it won't last forever, I know we'll both sleep again eventually. Ahh, the perspective that comes with second time parenting.
Can roll both ways with ease now and is getting increasingly mobile. With increased mobility comes an increased interest in her brother's toys-- hence, our decision to move all small toys upstairs yesterday. Macey can easily roll and scoot on her tummy or back to her desired destination now-- which is usually a car or fire engine that Camden has left on the floor.
Can sit for 5-10 seconds before toppling over-- or throwing herself backwards on purpose. Still not sure what that stunt is about.
Can easily grasp toys and small objects. She is very good at picking up her paci and replacing it on her own now.
Is developing some stranger anxiety. It doesn't seem to be as severe as Camden's was (yet--knock on wood), but she will definitely make it known if she's uncomfortable around someone. The bottom lip comes out and she'll let out a whine. This is our warning to rescue her before she starts crying. Camden never gave us the courtesy of a warning; he elected to go straight to full-blown crying when a stranger was near.
Has been on several outings with me now (nothing exciting & no major road trips yet-- just the grocery store, Target, a couple of restaurants, etc.). She is excellent in the car and in public. She loves to be worn in the Bjorn, facing forward when we're out.
Was babbling some b's a few weeks ago, but seems to have lost interest in that for now.
Still laughs a lot (especially at Camden), smiles constantly, and is very pleasant and easygoing. We joke that, even when she fusses, she'll try her best to smile through her fussing.