7 Months

Height: 28.5 inches

Weight: 19 pounds

You've made some pretty huge developments in the past month, my little Izzy. Well, actually in the past few days... All month you showed signs that you were determined to crawl. You started by getting up on your hands and knees and rocking, then you started to army crawl. After a couple of weeks you could go a couple of strides crawling, but had a hard time keeping your arms and legs coordinated (which led to some pretty epic crashes and some frustration).

Just a couple days ago you got it down pretty well! Now you're cruising all around the house (and keeping me on my toes)! Here, I found you gazing out the patio doors...

You're also at the stage where you are picking up every little crumb you find and putting it in your mouth. Let's just say that the vacuum has been getting quite the workout!

Another huge milestone this month is that you pulled yourself up to stand. This one came out of nowhere! I had set you in your crib (to keep you contained for a minute) and when I came back in your room you were standing up, holding on to your crib rails, with a huge smile on your face. I was shocked!! (I think this is more typical around 9 months...) I called Jax in and we sat you back down and you proceeded to do it again while we cheered you on. It's only been about a week since you did this for the first time, but you're already crawling over to the ottomans in our living room and pulling yourself up on them and have even started to take a couple of steps while holding on to them. I don't think you can wait to chase after your big brother! (Lord help me!)

Sleep has continued to be a challenge. Naps have gotten a bit more organized, but you're still waking up pretty frequently during the night. Not long after you turned 6 months, your pack and play broke. Okay, I broke it while standing in it to get a better angle for a picture. (Don't worry you were not in it when that happened). Anyway, it was really a blessing in disguise because it forced me to start putting you in your crib to sleep. You slept through the night the very first night in your crib. I was so excited and thought maybe that was the key all along. Well, I guess it wasn't quite that simple... I still think you might be teething, although I don't see or feel any coming in yet. Maybe all this crawling around will start to tire you out more!

My other theory on your night time waking is that it's associated with your new found separation anxiety. Oftentimes when I go out of your sight you have a complete meltdown. It makes me feel so bad! It makes daddy feel bad, too, because he can't do anything to calm you down. I secretly kind-of love it because your big brother was, and is, a total daddy's boy. (Although, I think it is mostly attributed to the fact that daddy is lacking mammary glands and, to be fair, that's out of his control). Thankfully, we don't need to separate very often. I'm just soaking it up while I can!

Besides the obvious crawling and pulling up, there have been so many other little things this month that are a testament to how quickly you're growing up. We packed up your bumbo, bouncy seat, and swing, which you were clearly outgrowing...

I also finally removed the sling from your little bath.

You continue to eat like a champ. We've introduced all kinds of blends and you seem to like everything (including kale, spinach, and brocolli). We also introduced yogurt and puffs which you can now feed to yourself! You also try to feed yourself with the spoon, but that doesn't go quite as well. Most feedings end with food in your hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, and covering your clothes (and often mine too) because of our tug of war with the spoon...

You had your first trips to the Como Zoo & Conservatory and to the Children's Museum this month! You slept through most of the animals, but woke up in time to enjoy the beautiful flowers at the conservatory. (That was my favorite part, too!)

You weren't quite big enough to enjoy most of what the Children's Museum has to offer, but you loved watching your brother explore.

Finally, we took a little family getaway to an indoor waterpark in Wisconsin. You donned your first bathing suit and got to splash around in an awesome zero-depth kiddie pool. You were a little unsure of it all at first (I didn't blame you because there was a lot of splashing going on around you), but you warmed up quickly. You especially loved sitting in front of the bubblers and feeling the water in your hands. You also liked going into the deeper water with daddy and I. We all had a great time, although I can't say we got much sleep. Jax declared that he wanted to go home to his Georgie sheets and I think you missed your sheets, too, because you were up every two hours throughout the night. On a positive note, you slept almost all the way there and all the way home, which made for a peaceful roadtrip.

Whew! What a month! Now, can you do me a big favor and slooooow down!! I'm just not ready to give up your squishy baby cuddles and I feel like this stage is just slipping through my fingers.

Happy 7 months, sweetheart!

Love, Mom