Turning 7 months hit me harder than when you turned 6 months. You are now closer to your first birthday than to the day you were born. Everyone warned me that time goes by faster with a baby, and boy are they right! You continue to change on a daily basis and as you become more independent, you remind me that you are no longer my baby girl.
This biggest development this past month was the emergence of your first two teeth. About one week after turning six months, your bottom left tooth officially broke through the gums then your bottom right tooth surprised us by breaking through the following day. Thankfully, once those teeth broke through, you were happier and started sleeping better again. Unfortunately, those restful nights were short lived because the next week you got strep throat. Your little nose was so congested and you were coughing. Until the antibiotic kicked in, you and I were sleeping 45-60 minutes at a time. You actually enjoyed your nebulizer breathing treatments and when we would do your bedtime treatment, you would nurse and fall asleep while breathing deeper. And suctioning out your nose wasn't something you typically minded. We felt so bad seeing you so uncomfortable but within a week, you were back to yourself. Given those things happening, this past month of breast feeding has flown by and despite two clogged ducts the week you were sick with strep throat, we are making it work. Most days, I have been pumping equal to what you are drinking at the sitter and that makes me so very happy. 
We have made your daily routine our priority this past month. Same bedtime and same wake-up time everyday in hopes of helping you get on a schedule. Unfortunately, your naps didn't get the memo as those remain hit or miss despite our best efforts. And contrary to what we may think, days you don't nap good mean for restless nights while days you nap well, leads to good sleep that night. We have made attempts at sleeping in your crib again this month but haven't had luck yet. You and I remain co-sleepers and when you sleep good at night, you wake up so happy, full of stretches and smiles. We have worked with your sitter to help keep the same schedule weekdays vs. weekends but we'll consider your schedule a work in progress.
Developmentally speaking, you now reach out to me when you are ready for me to pick you up. You haven't mastered sitting but you are so close. You can maintain sit when propped on your arms but then you see something you want and you are more interested in getting that object than worrying about sitting. Diaper changes are often a wrestling match with you rolling side to side. When I'm changing your diaper at your changing table, you love knocking the wipes container off the edge and waiting for me to say 'uh-oh' and that starts your giggling. I'm happy to see some cause and effect is emerging. We have also been using your Exersaucer this past month and you love bouncing in there and talking to the toys. You also love bouncing in our arms or when we hold you standing on the floor. You are still blowing raspberries though not as often but your new trick this month is wrinkling up your nose and blowing air through it. It's actually quite cute. You love petting your dogs and Tex has become more brave around you and approaches you often. You get so excited when you see your puppies and give them such big smiles. We are practicing 'gentle' touches with you are sometimes you swing a little hard when petting the dogs.
You have expanded your list of solid foods this past month. Butternut squash and apples are your favorites. We have introduced those along with peas, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, pears, and bananas. Only zucchini and carrots are strongly disliked. We have also introduced drinking water from a cup rather than a sippy cup. You enjoy the challenge and are getting the hang of it. When we offered water from the sippy cup, you seemed disappointed that sucking resulted in water and not milk :) Now that you are eating solids, three meals a day, your poops have changed. We clearly know when you are pooping as you put effort into the task. Gone are the days of breast milk poop blow-outs and now we have smelly solid poops.You are wearing size 3 month or 3-6 month clothes, 6 month pants for the length, and 6 or 9 month sleepers for the length, and size 2 diapers. You remain long and lean, unofficially weighing in at 17 pounds and 27 inches long. You are eating 2-3 ounces of solid food for your meals and drinking 4 ounce bottles, every 3-4 hours. You eyes seem to be getting bluer so everyone is guessing you will keep your daddy's blue eyes. Your hair is also beginning to thicken with a few strands growing in length.
This past month may not have been as much growth at mastering developmental skills, but you are getting stronger every day and trying new things. You remain our petite princess but we think you are perfect just the way you are. We can't wait to help you learn new things and watch your personality emerge. Every day we get to spend with you is priceless.
