6 months old!!

Yes, yes, I know I say this everytime, but I seriously cannot believe my little baby girl is 6 months old! Where did all those months go?
Raleigh had her 6 month check-up yesterday and she got an A+. I have to admit, over the last several weeks, random people have been coming up to us and saying, "Oh she's so chunky!" or others that really don't care say, "Wow, she's fat!" Ok, I'm a mom and therefore am very protective of my children. Eric and I can say she's fat or our family can as well because we say it in a loving way, but when people I've never met start saying it, I get a little upset. I think, are they saying that because they think a fat baby is cute, or are they trying to tell me I'm feeding her too often??? I personally love a fat baby, and I love every roll and crease Raleigh has. Cole was a very chunky baby as well, and I remember just adoring every ounce he had too. I feel very proud she's that way because I nurse her, so I made her that way. So I just needed reassurance from her pediatrician that she wasn't "too big." He just laughed and said absolutely not. He said she was perfect and healthy and to not worry because once she starts becoming more mobile, the weight will quickly come off. I do remember that with Cole. He was so chunky, but once he started walking, he quickly thinned out. Our Dr. jokingly called her "juicy." We thought that was hilarious!
She weighs 17 pounds 5 ounces and was 26 3/4 inches long. So that puts her in the 80% for height and 75% for weight. She is right where she needs to be developmentally; she is rolling over both ways, sitting up very well without assistance, and standing up alone for a few seconds at a time. She laughs and smiles constantly, and is saying "hey" (she has no idea she's saying that, of course!) and making the "m" sound. Could she possibly be preparing herself to say "Mama?!" Cole's first word was "MaMa" and I remember Eric being disappointed, especially because that was his boy! So if Raleigh says it before DaDa, he will be upset! She still doesn't have any teeth yet, but I'm certainly not complaining! :) She loves to eat solids now; she likes bananas, squash and sweet potatoes. She also still loves to nurse! But I will begin to increase her solids over the next few weeks. I will start her on juices soon too. Not sure if she'll like it or not, but we'll try!
I am just so amazed by her. She is so beautiful and full of life at 6 months old. She has the best little personality and is a joy to be around. Raleigh always smiles and is so happy all the time. I couldn't ask for a better baby, truly.
As for my little man, Cole will be THREE next Monday. I try not to talk about it too much; it makes me soooo sad!!! It's bittersweet. His birthday party is Sunday. We are throwing him a luau birthday party. He is so excited, he can hardly stand it. Everyday he's waking up asking, "Is it my birthday?!" I will certainly have many pictures to post of his big day along with some funny stories, I'm sure. He is so funny.