7 month update

Dear Will,

7 months really did sneak up on me.  This year can go ahead and slow down now, because now we're in the second half to turning one, and everyone knows the second half goes way faster than the first.

Life seems to be changing for you, though you're still taking it all in like everything is seriously the coolest, most hilarious, most awe-inspiring thing you've ever seen.  I guess maybe it really is at this age, when everything is so new.  One of my favorite things is picking you up after you've been sleeping.  You give the biggest smile, squeal, and then wiggle your whole body like a really fast inch worm while you bury your head in my shoulder laughing.  I couldn't make this stuff up.

This month you turned into a professional grabber.  Nothing is safe anymore, and if you can see it, you want it.  Now.  Along the same lines, you are showing so much determination.  If something is out of reach, you will find a way to get to it through your crazy roll, scoot, roll, pivot routine (update November 4... you're now army crawling for real, more than just a couple inches at a time!!). When you're focused on something, you don't want to be distracted, and heavens no, don't take it away.  At mealtime, we've had to pretty much retire all purees.  You are bound and determined to feed yourself, and someone else putting the spoon in your mouth is just not going to cut it.

Speaking of food - I cannot believe what an eater you are.  Nothing is rejected, and this month I started serving you what we are eating (within reason).  I probably need to be careful not to push your little digestive track too much, but you'd truly eat anything we are eating.  Last night you had meatloaf.  Almost the same size portion as your sister.  Other foods you've eaten right along with the big people - roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, spaghetti, baked sweet potato, waffles, scrambled eggs, beef stew, etc. etc. etc.  Coming off raising a non-eater, every meal is still a surprise and delight to me as you gobble up any and everything.  You still seem pretty small though, so somewhere you're burning all those calories.

Sleep is still good.  Naps 1 and 2 happen around 9am and 1pm for 1.5-2 hours each.  Getting you to take that 3rd nap is getting harder, but I keep trying.  You're waking once a night to eat, which I guess they say til 9 months old can still be developmentally necessary.  Still, I get really excited that we may only have two more months of feeding at night. Of course that requires cooperation on your part, and probably some tough work on all of our parts, but.. we're almost there.

This month we got to travel to see some really good friends in both DC and Baltimore, my first trip with both kids alone.  You did so well, even when I had to push you almost every day and many naps were missed.  I know you won't remember trips like that, but I will, and I'm so glad you were along for the ride.

you're in there..

October in general this year was absolutely wonderful.  You got to spend lots of time outside swinging and inspecting.

Physically this month you've seemed a lot stronger. You can sit up unassisted, which is turning out to be every bit worth the effort.  You can really sit and play with Addie, sit with us at the table in your high chair, and play with things so much better.  Right as you turned seven months you were attempting an army crawl, but at the time of writing this you can really do it. Two mobile children - oh my!

And your smile.  Oh, that toothless, slobbery smile.  It just won't quit.  You have the best personality sweet boy!

We love you so very much,
Mommy