Sweet Jonah
You are seven months old today. Why is it that seven months feels so much older than six? I think at six months, I could still convince myself you were practically a newborn. But in reality, we are on the downward slide to one and I can hardly believe it.
You have added to your food repertoire considerably this month; your diet now consists of sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans {and brown rice}, winter squash, and avocado. Sweet potatoes are still clearly your favorite, but you eat everything pretty enthusiastically. Except avocado. You are not a fan of avocado at all. I think your daddy might have whispered his opinions in your ear or something, because you were just not having it when we tried. I'm not giving up though. Mama is stubborn.
In addition to food, your dad and I have been working more consistently on sign language with you. We sign mama, daddy, eat, hungry, milk, more, all done, and diaper. You aren't signing back yet, but I can tell you're starting to understand. Whenever we sign "eat" or "more", you get so excited. And you think it's hilarious when we sign "all done."
You've also been loving your sippy cup lately. I've been giving it to you since you were 5 months {empty, just to get familiar with it} but this month I filled it with water. It took you awhile to get accustomed to the taste of water {you were definitely not sure about it at first}, but you love it now. In fact, I have to take it away from you during meal times so that you'll actually eat.
We started sleep training with you this month and, oh buddy, it's been hard. Your daddy and I were so hesitant to let you cry and learn to fall asleep without our help. The first night we tried, it broke our hearts. But now you are doing so good. You sleep 12 hours a night and {typically} only wake up once or twice to eat. Nap times are a little tougher, but we're trying. Your daddy jokes that it's because we're so awesome and you just don't want to be away from us. You {sometimes} take naps in the mornings and early afternoon but they usually only last for about 30 minutes. A lot of people tell us that they don't count for naps, but I will definitely take what I can get.
Blowing raspberries is still high up on one of your favorite things to do. You think it's hysterical when I do it back. It makes for some messy moments, but you don't seem to mind. And, honestly, I don't really mind either.
This month also marked the first time we left you with a babysitter during home group. It was super hard for me to leave you with {basically} strangers. I was nervous you wouldn't handle it very well but that was silly. You're such a sweet baby and both of the girls watching all you kids fell in love with you.
You're wearing 6-9 month clothes right now. The nine months are pretty baggy and a little too long on you, but you seem more comfy with room to wiggle around.
You love to talk, mister. You jabber and coo and screech all the time. You love hearing all the different sounds you can make. A couple of weeks ago you were laying on the changing table and looked at me and said, "Mama!" I was hesitant to believe that you really knew what you were saying {because it seemed so early}, but my heart still nearly burst with excitement. Since that {amazing} day, I have since decided that "Mama" doesn't always mean me. It can also mean "I want to see you smile" or "look at me" or "I am not currently pleased with my situation." But that's okay. I'll take it.
Here's the milestone chart and where you are:
Mastered Skills
(Most kids can do)
1) Sits up unassisted: {check!}
2) Drags objects to self: {check!}
Emerging Skills
(Half of kids can do)
1) Lunges forward or starts crawling: {sort of. when you push up to your knees, you sometimes rock back and forth. you also enjoy scooting backwards. i think you're so close to crawling!}
2) Jabbers or combines syllables: {oh yes. you're such a talker.}
3) Starts to experience stranger anxiety: {occasionally}
Advanced Skills
(Some kids can do)
1) Waves goodbye: {not yet}
2) Stands up unassisted: {sort of? if we stand you up and let you hold onto the table, you'll stay up.}
3) Bangs objects together: {bangs objects on floor - yes. Together, not so much}
4) Begins to understand object permanence: {umm... you love peek-a-boo and "where's jonah.' does that count? how do other mamas measure this?}
Things Jonah Loves at Seven Months:
Your jumperoo {still}
Eating {especially sweet potato}
The "Where's Jonah" game
Oh sweet Jonah. You are amazing. A blogger I follow wrote this about her little boy: "Your daddy and I were quite happy in the days before you. We had a good, fun life. I wasn’t even sure it was possible, but it’s like you came along and someone turned on all the lights in a house that I didn’t even know was dark. It’s as if someone figured out a way to bottle joy." I think she got it exactly right. You are a joy and a beautiful, precious light in our lives. We love you so dearly, sweet man. I pray to our Father in Heaven that you always always know that.
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