7 Months Old

Our baby is 7 months old, and he just can't get any better, I swear.

This has been a really big month for him in terms of communication.  When he wants something and it is taken away from him, he is very clear in the communication of his displeasure.  He has also started babbling a lot, with his favorite being "dadadadadada" but he gets a "mamamamama" and a "babababa" in there occasionally.  He also laughs more readily, and often not even when you're trying to get him to.  When he's excited to see you or is just excited for anything, he flaps his hands and legs like crazy.

He has also developed a lot physically.  He sits up for as long as he wants to now, with very occasional falls when he gets so excited about something that he flaps his arms and legs too hard and knocks himself down.  When on the floor he's almost always on his tummy, looking around, playing with toys, or attempting to move forward.  He can get up on his hands and knees but hasn't figured out what to do from there just yet.  Lots of rocking, flapping, and faceplants.  He's started clapping two objects together but doesn't yet just clap his empty hands.

He's eating a lot of different foods and so far hasn't rejected anything.  His face each time he tries something for the first time is priceless.  He likes sippy cups but I think mainly because he likes having something to put in his mouth.  Speaking of, he got his first two teeth a couple weeks ago.  They're still really small but they're SO CUTE.

All around, he is a very happy baby.  Some days he whines more than usual but it passes as quickly as it comes.  We are so lucky to have him and can't imagine life without him.

We had some fun doing a photo shoot in our new back yard - sorry, I can never whittle them down enough -- too many favorites!

Six months old

We had A's six month appointment this week.  B was at work so I went alone with him this time, so it wasn't quite as fun as his four month appointment, but it still went great.  He weighed 18 pounds 7 ounces, which was the 60th percentile again.  He measured 26.5 inches long, but the doctor thought that her nurse might not have gotten a good measurement...he was extremely squirmy and it was a different nurse who used a different way of measuring.  That's the 50th percentile where usually he's been 80th; we'll see at nine months if he's back up or if he's not gaining as much length.  His head circumference was 17.25 cm which is also the 60th percentile.

Despite being tired from having a nap cut short, he took his shots really well.  Didn't even make a noise for the first and cried softly for about 10 seconds on the second.  Next appointment we only have one shot so that will be a welcome relief.

At 6 months, he's incredibly interactive.  He wants to grab literally everything we pass by, or everything he can, whether it be my or B's face, hair, skin (otherwise known as pinching).  He's so sweet that we know it isn't intentional, but it can hurt!  He has started putting his mouth on our face too.  I tell B that I think of it as his way of kissing, but he's probably just trying to get a taste.  He's loving food, particularly pears and peaches.  After his six month appointment, we have started water in a sippy cup so that has been an adventure.  He has started giggling more and more; the other day he was eating avocado and I thought it was all getting swallowed.  Then all of a sudden it started coming back out....he had been saving it in his cheeks and between his lips and gums!  I started laughing and he just giggled with me!  That got me going even more and we giggled for a long time together.  That was the first time I've seen him laugh when I wasn't trying to make him laugh.  Dad still gets the best laughs, though.

He's sitting really well and I've started walking away from him for a bit with pillows around him.  Once we have carpet (we're moving tomorrow!) I'll feel a lot more comfortable with that.  He's also sleeping mostly on his tummy now; we just couldn't get him to stop flipping over.  That took a long time to get used to (he'd turn over and then freak out), but he's mostly over it now.  We come in and find him in all different positions after he's done sleeping.

He's babbling more and more but it's still just the occasional "ba" or "ga," nothing repeated.  We talk to him all the time and are sure he'll start talking back eventually!  I take him to library story time each week which is really more singing songs, and he just loves the music.  Today he squealed with delight after each of the first few songs.  His joy warms the heart.

Here are a few recent pics, his six month pics that we took with the nice camera will have to wait.

Waiting for the doctor

Sippy Cup Attempt #1

His first self-taken selfie.  He just loves to touch the screen!

Sweet potato face

After library story time, on the way home

Talking up a storm

I'd love to know what he thinks he's saying.

Family Vacation in Winter Park

We were so fortunate to have B's entire family join us in Colorado for a vacation!  We stayed near Winter Park which had a lot of activities to do and was also near the side of Rocky Mountain National Park that we've never made it to.  The first day, we drove on Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park to Grand Lake, all the way through!  It was beautiful.   It wasn't the best day for naps, but it was beautiful.

We have seen an elk each time we've gone to RMNP.

It's really pretty there.

On the second day, A and I stayed at the house that Grandma and Grandpa rented while B and his sister went on a hike in the park!  It was really pretty, too. (I know from the pictures)

MOOSE!

I'm sure H soon learned that it's not a hike with B without photos of flowers!

Other lessons learned:  there is snow in the mountains in June and sandals are perhaps not the best footwear.

More MOOSE!

By the time the hikers got home that night (after a long grocery run), B's brother and his family had arrived!  We had so much fun playing with the cousins.

We took a big group picture the next day on our way into the park again.  We spent a lot of time at this sign.

Fathers Day Photo

Photobomb!

We then found a picnic area that was near a meadow.

After that, the others went on a hike while A and I sat in the shade and watched B fish.  Well, cast. 

 We found another hike but A was napping so we stayed in the car.  We visited the town of Grand Lake and got some vacation-necessitated ice cream.

The next day we took a short stroll in Winter Park before heading to Hot Sulphur Springs for some swimming and soaking.  

The house where we stayed in Fraser was fantastic.  It had plenty of room for all of us and a hot tub to boot.  Everyone else stayed a day longer than us and they heard a mountain lion nearby, so not the kind of place to let the kids roam free...but they enjoyed having time together.  

After we got back, we got visitors through here again!  Grandma, Grandpa, and H came back through first.  We did a LOT while they were here and had a great time!  

Then B's brother came back through with his family.  We all went to the pool and then out for Mexican food.

We had so much fun with everyone and are so grateful that they made the trek out here.  It will be fun to watch the kids grow up together!