7 Months

Dear Sam,

You are inching your way {rather quickly} toward your first birthday!   Each month just goes faster and faster, probably because we are having more and more fun.  I was excited for the cooler weather on your 7-month birthday today but not for the dreary skies that made pictures a challenge.  We'll have to get some of you sitting up when the sun returns.

You continue to amaze me at how you're growing.  At the doctor this week, you were 18 pounds 6 ounces {I think}.  You are mainly in 9 month clothing but can still squeeze into 6 month onesies, mainly because I don't want to by anymore short sleeve ones.  You wear a size 3 diaper.  We have tried size 4 at night to see if that would keep your pajamas dry, but they didn't help.  Tonight you're wearing a 3 and a 4 to see if that helps with your comfort and Mommy's laundry load.

Your eating schedule has changed quite a bit this month.  You now get a 6.5 ounce bottle in the morning when you wake up, then around 8 a.m. you have solids and a 2 ounce bottle.  You then have 6.5 ounce bottles at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Dinner is solids around 5:15 p.m. or so, and you have a 7 ounce bottle at bedtime.  You still have oatmeal in each bottle and are still on Alimentum.  You have tried the main fruits and vegetables and have now moved on to some mixed varieties.  While you were sick {more on that later} your appetite wasn't quite as good, and green vegetables made you gag.  We seem to be back on track now.  We noticed your 5th tooth coming in last week, but then it disappeared!  Maybe something pushed your gum back a little, but Daddy and I both saw it.  We still see the slit in your gum and the white bump above, so I guess you'll cut that one twice.  Waking early still seems to be the way you show that you have teeth working their way in.

You are basically on the same schedule as last month.  You wake between 6 and 6:30 a.m. and go to bed after your last bottle at 6:45 or 7 p.m.  You nap at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Your third nap seems to be disappearing but we still offer it around 4:30 p.m.  At home, you sleep with Duckie and white noise.  You use a pacifier for your naps and always sleep in a Sleep Sack.  You put yourself to sleep, but sometimes we rock or bounce a few minutes before laying you down, especially for your afternoon nap.  You mainly sleep on your side or on your stomach.

Sam, you can no longer be left alone unless you are safely contained in something.  You roll everywhere!  And everything that you encounter is fair game including cords, magazines, and Avery's toys.  Yesterday I heard her encouraging you to play with your toys.  Sister may be in for a rude awakening soon.  You are so content to be on the floor, either playing with your toys or something off limits.  When you're not rolling around, you like to play in your exersaucer and are spending longer amounts of time in it.  You still like to bounce in the bouncer and will swing in the swing, mainly to grab the mobile.  You are able to sit up for short periods now, either propped up with your hands or with the Boppy around you.  You don't last for too long yet because you are so busy moving everywhere or reaching for something.  You are "talking" more and more, and just this week you started babbling "dada."  Your hands are into everything, so my drink, phone, necklace, etc. are no longer safe from your curious grasp.  Everything still goes to your mouth, and your feet still end up there often as well.

You had your first sickness just last week, and what a scare it was.  Croup was no fun and resulted in a middle of the night ER trip, which then led to you and Daddy riding to Richmond in an ambulance.  Daddy said you couldn't have been better, even though you were feeling bad and were so tired.  Your smile when I walked into your cubicle in the hospital was a welcomed sight.  We are thankful that things weren't worse than they were and are thankful that you're on the mend.  Sam, you had so many people praying for you, and that still brings tears to Mommy's eyes.  You are such a lucky little boy to have so many people who love you, and they, in turn, are lucky to know you.

Happy is usually the name of the game around here, which is quite enjoyable.  Fussiness happens but never often or for long.  Your smile is still huge and your eyes are big and bright.  You love to laugh and sound just like Woody the Woodpecker when you do.  Your laugh and smile are two of my most favorite things.  Avery is still a great source of fun and entertainment for you.  Sometimes we have to remind her not to love you quite so much, but she means well and looks after you.

Sam, I hope that one day you will know what a blessing you are to our family.  We love you more than words can ever express, but we'll never stop trying to tell you just how special you are.  You are growing so quickly and learning so much about the world.  We are so thrilled that you are our buddy and that we were chosen to guide you through this life.

We love you!

Mommy and Daddy