7 (.5) months

We arrived into Phoenix on Nolan's 7 month "birthday", and between the craziness of unpacking and then him feeling puny for over a week (read: nobody slept), our 7 month pic is actually closer to 7.5 - se la vie.  I tell myself the next kid's pics will probably all be late, so now and then isn't bad.

A bunch of the pics I might have included were used in the post titled Arizona or Bust - but there are still plenty of sweet ones to share!

First -- a few outtakes...

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Nolan,
At 7 months old:

- You're wearing size 3 diapers and size 6-9mo clothes.

- You sit up really well, and it has opened up a new world to you. It is so fun watching you absorb the world around you.

Scootched up to the computer when no one was looking!

Turns out Anna's beautiful quilt feels soft, too.

You were captivated by this balloon!

Think it's high time we packed up the swing (even though you still love it on occasion!).  A sad day indeed - that swing saved us more than a few times.

- I am trying to enjoy this sitting stage because it seems you are getting more and more motivated to crawl -- if you could only figure out the mechanics of it...

Pretty sure I did this move in yoga today.

Standing up is what you really prefer, so the exersaucer is a prime spot.

- You have done this move we call the Wiggle Dance for months, and I finally captured it on film.  I love it!

- You have 5 shiny chompers.

Thanks for the Mum Mums, Grammers!

- The pups are your favorite subjects -- especially Scarlett, which is funny because Khaki is so much more interested in you.  You pull their ears and pinch their skin, and they might let out a little whimper now and then but they don't do a thing to you.  I think they see you as a pretty important member of their "pack".

The ground can be littered with your toys and lovies, but they know exactly which items are theirs and which are yours.  I still can't believe they don't rip up your stuff!

- You love to be in water - whether it's the swimming pool or the bathtub.  Sometimes we put your gear on you to swim in our pool... but usually you just go in the buff except usually for a hat.  And sunblock -- gotta have sunblock!

- You are starting to chatter; mostly you say "da-da-da-da-da" much to your dad's delight.

- You made it all the way to 7 months before getting really sick with anything.  Considering you've been going into childcare at a gym for months, I think that's pretty good.

It was a long week...

An added treat when you're sick: Extra time watching Praise Baby.

- With some TLC and abx, you rebounded back to your usual, smiling self -- and we are thankful.  

We missed this face!

 You have explored lots of baby foods, and you're a fan!  So far, you have tried: peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, applesauce, blueberries, carrots, peaches, pears, prunes, squash and kale.

I made you a whole haul of homemade baby food.  Which, I should add, is kind of a lot of work.

carrots and kale
Thankfully you don't deduct points for presentation.

Blueberries, bananas, applesauce and kale
Looks disgusting but tastes like a yummy smoothie!

You look so little in your high chair.

- You are starting to develop your own little sense of humor -- snorting, shrieking and blowing raspberries just to be a ham.  You also make really silly faces.

- Your daily routine is changing a bit.  Because it's a zillion degrees by 7:30AM, we try to get outside early almost every morning --- at least for a few minutes.  I think it's one of your favorite times of the day.  I know it is mine!

- You get up between 6 and 7AM and take a short (30ish min) nap around 9.  Next we often head to the gym where you work the childcare ladies over like the charmer you are.  Then it's home in time for your longer (2hr if we're lucky) nap at 12:30 or 1.  We start bath time around 6:20 and you're usually down by 7.
Here lately you've had a tough time staying asleep at night -- the last couple of weeks, you've been waking every 2 or 3 hours just wanting to nurse.  Maybe a growth spurt or maybe a little regression after those ear infections, I don't know... but either way, we're working on it because Mama misses those 10 hour nights like the desert misses the rain, which I now understand because I live here and lemme tell you, it's A LOT.  Sadly I've had to start letting you cry it out a bit more before naps and bedtime.  You aren't much for soothing yourself yet, but you'll learn - and we'll all be better off for it.

Crazy hair and the 1,000-yard stare after some pool time.
This face + eye-scrubbing = textbook sleepy.  I'm glad you're so predictable in this way.

Love these snuggles... even moreso when it's not 2AM!

This pic is blurry, but shows my view of you when I come to get you after naps or in the morning (if you haven't flipped onto your turtle shell).  As soon as you hear the door open, you pop up and peek those sleepy eyes through the rails to see who's coming to greet you.  And you are usually a barrel of smiles once you wake up a little.

- Your hair is still copper penny red.  And I am still in love with it.

Never mind the blue stripe...  I might have marked on you.  Oops!

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Nolan Mikel,

Your dad and I love each other and you so much.

We are forever thankful that you were given to us.  What a priceless gift you are.