{month 7}

Once again - how is it possible for you to be 7 months old? I think this may have been my favorite month to date. There is SO much you're learning, and I love watching you discover new things. Your eyes are always alert watching everything around you.

This may be my all time favorite picture of you in the history of ever.

You've cut TWO new teeth this month! That was not so fun. You're a drooling mess - so much that you usually go through 3-4 outfits per day WITH a bib on. Those little toothies are razor sharp. Sometimes mama forgets and sticks her finger in your mouth. I quickly remember you have teeth when you chomp down on my finger and refuse to let go.

you two. too cool for school.

your first time at the pool! mama's friend brooke gave you this awesome swimsuit, and you loved swimming with daddy and Harrison!

aren't you two so handsome?

 

all of that swimming is hard work. p.s. thank you, BabyWise. I love that my baby can sleep anywhere (not always sleep well, but he sleeps nonetheless) :D

You're currently weighing 21 pounds, and in the 77th percentile for weight, 75th percentile for height, and 79th percentile for head circumference. You've outgrown most of your 6month clothes and are rocking 9-12 month.We had your 6 month pediatrician visit a few weeks late. You received 2 shots and an oral vaccination as well. For one shot, you didn't cry one bit. The other shot, you cried for 15 seconds then laughed. I cried more than you did! Your Mema seems to think you remind her of a certain uncle of yours who used to laugh when getting spanked. Dear Lord, if that's you, we're gonna have issues, Buddy Boy.

helping mama carry the clipboard like a big boy at the doctor's office

You are trying SO hard to sit up. When we're holding you, you pull up on us and work those little ab muscles to sit up. I have yet to catch you on video rolling over, but you do it all of the time - just not when mama's looking. You're REAL good at rolling over when you get angry in bed. You'll be on your belly and then BAM you're on your back. Which of course makes you even angrier. Sooner or later you'll get over it, right? ;) You are so incredibly close to crawling, but I'm perfectly fine with not having a mobile child juuuuuust yet.

after Millie Kate's dance recital. You were SUCH a good boy, and she did so good!

I love that passed out face.

 

You're sleeping so well most nights! At the beginning of the month, you were napping from 3-5pm with mama ever day. But you were struggling from 5-7:30 when we put you to bed. You were just flat out ornery. Then you'd wake up around 4:30am and wouldn't fall back asleep unless you were being held. Which meant that mama couldn't get ready for work unless I left you crying. I know crying isn't the end of the world (believe me, I let you cry it out ALOT). But I couldn't stand starting off our day with a crying baby. So we've eliminated your 3-5pm nap. Sometimes you'll take a little 30 minute cat nap around 4:30 or 5. We give you your bottle at 6:45, and you're asleep by 7, maybe 7:15. You sleep through the night (usually). There are some nights you start crying around 10:00. Most times you'll put yourself back to sleep, or your daddy or I come in and flip you on your belly and pat your little booty. Then you sleep until I have to wake you up for breakfast.

mama, 6:00 is toooo early.

love that little booty, and you love those little animals.

Now, if you're cutting teeth, it's a whole different story! You cut your first tooth on June 3 (the second followed within a week). You happened to be sick at the same time. NONE of us got sleep. We ended up taking you back to CHOA because your breathing was so loud and labored, and your temperature was on the rise. You had an "extreme case" of bronchiolitis. Again. This time you got a nebulizer. Bless your heart - you hate it. But it seemed to help you!

our little fishy.

 

you'd never know you had a 102 degree fever and were incredibly congested.

You're eating like a champ these days! We've moved you to a size 3 nipple on the bottle. You suck those bad boys down in minutes now. You're drinking 4 meals, and eating solids 3 times per day. At daycare, your solids are actually just purees. But at home I try to mix it up and let you eat real food. Your LOVE eating a whole peach. You've also enjoyed watermelon, sweet potato, sweet potato fries, bread, and chicken (Chick-fil-A, of course). You gnaw on a carrot like it's your job. I put it in the fridge, and it helps with those sore gums of yours. You aren't the biggest fan of avocado. I think it's too slippery for you, because if I mash it up and give it to you, you like it. Last week, you choked on part of the peach. This mama was TERRIFIED. You were fine - it scared both of us. I just put the peach up for the night and gave you baby food. I'm a big chicken. You've been fine ever since! Of course, I have to strip you naked when you eat on your own. Otherwise, you ruin every outfit you have :)

your first time eating bread while we were out for Daddy's birthday

 

I see you, watermelon.

 

GIMME THAT PEACH

and this is why we eat naked. well, why he eats naked. we don't all eat naked. that's just weird.

 

holding his bottle like a champ. makes mama so happy...and sad.

 

could those little prune-y feet be any cuter?

 

 Your favorite thing is still bath time, and I hope that never changes :) We don't have a pool in our neighborhood, so I bought you a blow up pool that we can "swim" in the back yard. You sleep best in the car, or when you're snuggling with your puppy or teddy bear. You LOVE cooper. Anytime we say his name you giggle. Facetime makes you light up. You can be crying, but hear the ring for FaceTime and immediately start grinning. You're fascinated by your hands, and are constantly watching and banging them.

 

 

We've been busy again this month, but by now you're used to that. You've spent quite a lot of time on the road! We kicked off the month in Mansfield, spending time with the family. You met lots of new people at your Granny's funeral. You were definitely a bright light during a sad time. You've spent most of the weekends either in Grayson or Mansfield. Mama and Daddy have had a couple of weddings this month, and mama's had to work at home office a few times. You have so many family members who LOVE spoiling you. I've never heard you complain about being snuggled with and loved on. We'll be home next weekend, but then we hit the road again to travel to Alabama for the 4th of July. You'll see lots of family again then! I'm sure Aunt Sharon and Uncle Todd are excited to see how much you've grown - you haven't seen them since December! You're a totally different baby now!

headed to see uncle rusty & aunt denise with Pepa & MawMaw

"WHY DOES YOUR FACE LOOK LIKE THAT, MAMA?"

Visiting with Grandmother

We celebrated your daddy's birthday and first Father's day this month. Baby boy, your daddy thinks YOU hung the moon. He loves you more than life itself, and would do anything in the world for you. During the summer, he doesn't get to spend much time with you because he's so busy at work. So when he does get home in time to give you a bottle, of course he wants to play with you after. Those nights, you usually stay up a little bit later. Who am I to tell your daddy he can't keep you up? On those nights, it usually goes a little something like this: Daddy feeds you, while mama does some sort of household chore. Mama hears some little baby giggle, along with a goofy daddy noise. Mama comes downstairs "Baileyyyyy, why do I hear giggles at 7:45 pm? Why is he not in bed?" Then your daddy does his best Grant impression: "Mama, I just missed Daddy so much. Just 5 more minutes. Pleeeease?" Then mama smiles, walks away, and pretends you're already asleep (while making a mental note to let daddy get up with you if you wake up :D). You've got a great role model in your daddy. I can't tell you that enough. He works so hard to provide for the three of us, and loves us more than anything. I hope you grow up always remembering that.

THIS.  

A few weeks ago, we went to the Rock Ranch. We had a good time, but I think you'll enjoy it more when you're older!

First pony ride!

sacked out!

 

you obviously don't have your mama's appreciation for cows yet.

 

I like this chair because it makes you look so tiny :)

 



Oh, sweet boy. Time is flying by. I want it to slow down. I know that's just wishful thinking, so I live in the moment and soak up every minute we have together. I try so hard to be the best mommy for you. I make mistakes. One day you'll make mistakes. But I'll always push you to be the best "you" that you can be. I hope that you know you're not only loved by your daddy and I (and so many others), but most of all you know that you're a child of God, and He loves you more than anything. It's so humbling to know that you're not mine. God has given us the privilege to raise you to love and honor him. Even on the tough days I try to remember that - raising you is a privilege. A privilege that I don't deserve, but has been the most fun and exciting blessing. I love you more than life itself, Grantapotomus.