10 Reasons Why I Love You: 7 Months

{7 months old}

1. You have discovered that your tongue is quite the object of amusement.  Sticking it out while blowing raspberries makes for quite a wet kiss, but you love doing this on repeat!  On our flight to LA, I was afraid our neighboring seatmates might get an unwelcome spray from your noiseblowing antics! But instead they smiled and played along and even let you catch a glimpse of Frozen on their laptop.

2. You ride in the stroller like a big girl now, no more of this backward facing carseat strolling, you are facing outward and taking in your world!  Of course, in typical fashion, you kick your feet throughout the entire ride, occasionally getting a squeak or two out of Sophie (or Sophie #2 since we lost one at Greenlake).  It’s amazing to see how interested you are in the world around you, you are in awe of everything; from kids running to loud noises, everything is bright, shiny, new, and exciting...it’s truly amazing to watch.

3. Speaking of strollers, you’ve now recognized how the stroller and carseats work, unhooking equals your release.  Now you gladly outstretch your arms, inviting us to pick you up the second that button releases.  It is so cute, your whole body leans forward as your arms outstretch, elbow locked, eager to get out of the seat and climb our body for a better view.

4. You’re such a happy girl, you’ve discovered the magic of clapping your hands!  It was such a delight to see you clap your hands for the first time.  You clap out of happiness, to simply make noise, and in appreciation of your grateful parents :)

5. Babbling up a storm, dadada, mamamama, babababa, we love to hear you talk!  You babble and squeal.  Sometimes you seem so calm and mellow and then you let out these squeals, talking in your own little language.  I so wish I knew what you were saying!

6. You’re latest new toy - a stuffed sea turtle compliments of my godmother Judy.  This turtle is rotund, round with soft fuzzy flippers.  While I’m getting dressed in the morning, you nestle in the middle of our bed, and reach enthusiastically for the turtle, grasping, reaching, leaning, and eventually plop...faceplant.  You’re much more eager to risk the chance of falling on the soft bed, but it’s a great place to learn. Your latest trick is to nibble the poor guy, if we swim turtle in for a kiss, you open your mouth and playfully gnaw on his fuzzy fins.

7. Drum, drum, drumming!  Daddy will lay on the mat with you and slap his hands against the floor mat tiles, and you willingly join in the musical charade.  Pretty soon you are tapping and slapping together to a beautiful beat.

8. I guess you’ve decided back sleeping is boring, and felt necessary to mix it up in the crib.  First, you somehow rotated 180 in crib, making your body perpendicular to the length of the crib.  How you did this exactly is still a mystery, though I’m confident some was fueled by kicking your feet high up on the crib sides and pushing off, which simultaneously landed you wedged in the width of the crib, somewhat stuck.  Oh dear!

9. Our adventures in solid food have continued: kale, spinach, butternut squash, cottage cheese, carrots, peas, asparagus, among others.  Sometimes, mid-meal you decide to pop your thumb into your mouth, which we affectionately call “squash...with a side of thumb.”  

10. You had your first experience with a babysitter that wasn’t a family member for Aunt Katie and Uncle Greg's wedding - and for two nights in a row at that!  Mom was a little nervous (not gonna lie), but the sitter took good care of you and your pal Myles.  Truth be told, Mom ended up enjoying herself a little too much on her night off…  And as always, you were a lovely little peach.