SEVEN Months

Dearest Elyse,

Our precious daughter. How have seven months passed already?

It is true. Every parent thinks knows they have the most beautiful/handsome and amazing baby. I've come to realize there is nothing wrong with that. The only time it could be wrong is if a parent didn't feel that way. Don't you worry - your Mama and Daddy just know you are the best thing ever.

You are our dearest sweet pea.

We adore your open-mouthed wonder.

I still say that your transition from four to five months was the biggest in terms of development. That is when your world just exploded. Now, you are just building and building on your vocalizing, awareness and mobility.

You have never really had stranger or separation anxiety. Yet, anyway...

This is your Sophie. She is your BFF.

Our only new issue is when I come home after a day at work and you are with Daddy and I swoop in to give you a smooch and then head down the hall to get changed.... Forget about it! You are NOT happy with that and scream and cry to tell us so. We have a few new solutions to deal with that including: I sneak in to go get changed, or I hang out with you first for at least ten minutes, or lastly I just scoop you up and take you with me. Yes, we know who is boss.

Sometimes in the mornings on days I have to work, you are ready to be up with Mama! I put you in your Bumbo so we can hang out. Here you are on one of those mornings. Sophie just wasn't cutting it. You wanted to read Daddy's ESPN!

You are mobile - VERY mobile. You can roll from one end of a room to the other, but you still can't crawl. You reeeeeeaaaaaaach for things and figure out your own way to get to them.

You play, play, play and will stop as if to say, "Hey! You still paying attention to me?"

And then, have a snack on your tootsies.

Here you are on St. Patty's with a shout-out to your Grandmas!!

Speaking of tootsies, sometimes I have to capture your little details as they are now. I never want to forget them.

You have such large, expressive eyes. They are still blue. Sometimes slate blue, sometimes hazel blue. Their own unique, beautiful color.

Your Stork Bite is still there, although it is faded considerably. We love it though - it is you!

Sometimes, like in this photo, I capture an image that just startles me. You look so grown-up in this photo I feel like it is a peek into your future.

Your cousin, Carson, hung out with you for a few hours a couple of weeks ago. He was so sweet with you. I said I wanted to take your picture together and he chose to kiss on you. Love.

Yes, dear you are even precious when you are unhappy. You've had a few more tears lately as the more you get around the more you are apt to fall and bonk yourself. We've had to soothe a face like this more than once after you've had a little spill.

Our friend, Jane, gave you some new Dr. Seuss board books. This one is your fav. You love to spin the squeaky green egg/mirror on top.

You like to taste it too.

We live in the PNW so on days when we'd LOVE to go outside, the weather doesn't always cooperate. So, when it is decent outside, we love to get out.

We took your jumper outside and you thought that was terrific!

Libby so loves it when you come outside!

I am so thankful to have Mondays home with you. They are a special privilege and I love our special time together. We go to the library for a baby sing-along and you love singing with Mama and seeing so many little ones just your size. There are babies there whose parents were in our birthing class, a little girl born on your birthday and even a little one named Blueberry!

Have I mentioned this heart shaped mouth I adore?

I love how this one came out. The twinkle in your eyes.

And those chubby cheeks!

Not sure if you can tell, but you're clutching onto Libby's collar!

You love food. Mama has made almost all of your food, with the exception of your snacks. You LOVE Baby Mum Mums!

Let's see what else you've had: banana, zucchini, sweet potato, butternut squash, avocado, cheese, green beans, peas, applesauce, pear, egg (yolk) and potato. Sweet potato seems to be your favorite, but you have really liked it all!

You are growing so fast, we can hardly keep up with what fits/does not fit. You are wearing everywhere from 3-6 months to 12 months clothes. If it is one-piece, it has to be bigger as you are so long!

You do love your Daddy. The two of you have an incredibly special bond. I can't tell you how happy that makes me when I see you two loving on each other.

You love to talk and babble and often talk moving your whole head. We call it Muppet Show as you look like a little puppet moving your whole head in order to speak. Cutie.

This month Daddy was in the room when we did your monthly pictures. Look at that big smile you are giving him!

Lastly, I leave you with one of your favorite activities. You have this Kick & Play Piano in your crib you got from your Aunt Sue. You LOVE that thing. We put you in your crib to play with it while we spray off a diaper or put away your clothes and you go to TOWN kicking away, playing music. In turn, that has led you to kick away on walls, cupboards, doors, etc. You really get into it! (Video below)

We love you, baby girl!

Love,

Mama