7 months old! Laughing and giggling, smiling all the time, determined, observant, and sweet as can be. You are the most special thing in my world. I look at you everyday, your chubby little cheeks and body, and am in pure amazement that you're growing and thriving so well.
You personality is blooming more and more everyday... you've got your "fake cough" down and give us a huge grin when you do it. You snort when you laugh really hard - which makes us laugh even harder and you will scream at us to let us know if you need something. We enjoy your noises and your laugh fills my soul with happiness. It's the most amazing sound I have ever heard.
This month we have had a big change in working on your sleeping schedule. I feel like I am getting much better at understanding your different "cries" and for the first time this month, I let you "cry it out" for a little while in your crib. As agonizing as it was while I was sitting staring at the monitor... it worked. You now are in a much better sleep schedule - sometimes sleeping 8-10 hours straight.
At the beginning of the month, we took you on your second plane ride to Arizona and you did very well. You were so cute lounging by the pool in your little swimsuit. You also got into the pool for the very first time with your daddy and you seemed to like it!
You are reaching for everything. You are fascinated with the toys in your ducky bath, iPhones, stacking rings, Sophie the giraffe, and pretty much all of your toys. You started sitting in high chairs and shopping carts this month, which you love because you can see everyone and be a part of the conversation. You've almost started crawling, getting up on your knees and hands, but you still prefer to roll everywhere. You love to stand up and are very strong at holding yourself up. Sometimes, we let you stand up against the couch or table and you will play for long stretches of time.
You just made the move (2 days ago) into size 3 diapers. You're wearing 6 month sized clothes, and can fit into some 9 month sized clothes. You are still breastfeeding often, which I love, and you're also doing so well with eating solid foods. You particularly love sweet potatoes and your rice cereal. You've tried pears, peaches, peas, and green beans as well. You liked them all, except bananas.
We celebrated your first Thanksgiving with lots of family... both sides of my family and with your uncles Joe and Dave. Daddy worked on Thanksgiving day, so we had a turkey dinner with Gramz, Pops, and your great grandma Nancy and great grandpa John.
We went up to get our Christmas tree with the whole family, which is one of my favorite traditions and it was extra special having you along with us. Daddy and I took you to meet Santa... this was extremely traumatizing for you, but the picture is adorable and someday you will love to see it!
You are so observant and really enjoy seeing new people and places. You are so good when we take you out because there is always so much for you to see. You are such a beautiful baby, your blue eyes are so precious and I just can't get enough of your sweet stares, noises, and smells. I adore you and am so proud of you!
I love you so much and am excited for your first Christmas. It's going to be very special!
Love,
Mama
