Seven Months (ish)

Dear Fiona: You are seven months old, and WOW do you have a lot going on. I thought six months was a big deal, but you just keep movin' and groovin'.

You now have four teeth (two each on top and bottom), and you seem to think this entitles you to all sorts of eating rights. You'd like to feed yourself, and you'd like to feed yourself with whatever we are eating, thank you very much. Forget this baby food deal. Mommy has found it very challenging to make you food. She's got to laugh at herself: once again something she swore she'd never do has become common place. But the Sprout brand is rather nice, and you really enjoy the flavors. And we give you lots of our own stuff, cut small so you can try to get it into your mouth by yourself. I have to say, you aren't very successful. But the trying keeps you busy so Mommy can eat her own dinner.

You are standing up all the time, with less and less support. We find you holding on with one hand only, quite steady on your feet and looking very pleased with yourself. Just yesterday you made the tiniest inch sideways with your foot while standing up. So you aren't cruising the furniture just yet. But I have a feeling it won't be long.


Mommy and Daddy are working hard to get you napping on a regular basis. Poor sweet girl, you have just been stuck with the smallest of naps in between errands and chores. So we are making it more of a priority. I'm hoping it will help you settle down better at night. It's been a rough couple of weeks getting you to bed in the evening. You just don't want to stop! Your little brain continues to check it all out! So you don't want to nurse, bounce, rock, shush, or lay down. Daddy has been taking a lot more bedtimes and nighttimes after nursing is done. Hopefully more consistency on our part with help you go to sleep nicely.
You do such a good job entertaining yourself. You don't want to be alone, but you can cruise around, checking it all out, while the family works around you. As this is not your brother's strongest skill, I really appreciate it in you. It's so much fun to show you new things and watch you explore it.


You and your brother really dig each other, but as you've gotten more mobile he's become just slightly less enthralled. Now you can grab his hair, arm, toys, food, and clothes. I remind him that you are little and learning, and he needs to use his words. "Sister, don't DO that!" OK, I guess that counts. But five seconds later he's calling you "sweet girl" like Mommy and Daddy do and giving you hugs and kisses. You guys laugh at each other.

You remain entertaining, challenging, and perfectly wonderful.

I love you, my sweet baby girl.

Love
Mommy