7 Months

Dear Mia,

Saturday marked 7 months of life...congrats! You've made it ;-) I feel like I need to start by thanking you. After a grueling 'month 6' (I was being nice in the last letter to you....it was a real beat down!), you managed to re-emerge even better than before, and for that 'THANK YOU'! I am writing this letter today beacause as of yesterday you have started teething again, so I want to make sure to point out how awesome you've been for the last 3 weeks....I may need to remember that by Wednesday ;-)

While basking in your return to a predictable schedule and trying not to miss all the new cool stuff you're doing, I forgot to take notes. This means, we are going to have to rely on my less than photographic memory to recount all the goodness. I feel you should know, but in no way feel bad about the fact that you are still not rolling from your stomach to your back. Well, you HAVE done it a handful of times, but you much prefer your live in maid and butler to come to your aid when you are ready to be repositioned. And they are more than happy to do it :) When you are on your stomach now, you are scooting all over the place! You get up on your hands and knees, but the only direction you seem to manage is backwards in that position. When you are laying on your stomach, you have no problem moving ALL OVER the place! It's adorable.....and almost time for mommy and daddy to start babyproofing!

You seemlessly transitioned back to a milk based formula and since have become more "regular" (this is where you will be saying 'MOOOOM! how embarassing" later in life). You are back on a strict (or relatively so) 5 bottles a day, and get this....I can actually TELL you when you take them! You still wake up around 6 (later on days that you love me more;-)) so you eat around 6, 9, 12, 3 and 6. You still eat 6 oz bottles but now you drink every last drop. I've tried to up the amount of ounces, but every time I do, you spit up what seems like every bit over the 6 oz. That's one thing that I have found about you....you may not talk to where I can understand you verbally, but you get your point across! In addition to the new formula, we have started you on veggies. Please forgive me for laughing at your gag reflex that the carrots envoked the first time, but it's only because I have the same reflex......and people laugh at me for it on a regular basis :) Once you got over the new texture and flavor, the gagging stopped. I think you're favorite part of eating the new stuff is that you get a lot more distance on it when you spit it out. I know it's MY favorite part ;-) I've stopped putting the bib on you, and now I wear it instead.

You have grown too long for you 9 mo jammies now, and I just bought you several things that were 12mo. Luckily, your 9 mo onesies still fit, mostly, and since it's summer, that's what you sleep in now.

But more importantly, I need to fill you in on your new favorite past time.....you, my dear, are a water baby! I have never seen a child take to it like you do. The freezing cold temperatures and the sun do not phase you in the slightest. You could, and do, splash around as long as I'll leave you out there (and by "leave you out", I don't mean unattended). In fact, we probably go to the pool at least 5 times a week. It's really great for that 3-5 time of night when I'm pretty sure you are over the day, but don't want to sleep or eat or play or smile......The pool is a total game changer!

But you're not only partial to the pool....bathtime is still a big winner with you too. Now you are out of your toddler tub and in the real tub. You love it! you splash around and play with your toys.....it's precious. Now, AFTER bathtime, you are not as fond of. You aren't a fan of getting dressed...I'm assuming it's a phase and won't worry until you are older ;-)

Just a couple other big events that happened this month...
*you attended your first Christening for your cousin Teagan
*Momma's 30th bday (you took a ridiculous amount of naps this day....thank you baby :))
*your first Mother's Day (you didn't have to do a thing today....you being here is the only reason I get to celebrate)
*You had your first sleep over with your best bud, Coop (pics to follow, so cute!)
*and your first (of many) playdates with Joseph and Milah

I am sure there is a lot of stuff I'm missing, but what I didn't make in notes, I took in pictures, so I want to make sure to include all the fun new 7 mo pics. When I think of more, I'll write again. Just know, you are the smartest and most adorable little girl I've ever met....and although I AM partial....I'm reassured that I'm right all the time by your dad, so it has to be true ;-)

We love you Mia!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Here are some pics of you this month:

I'm glad to see you were hesitant about your first open mouth kiss ;-)

Waiting on Coop so you could hit the pool!

takin a break and getting some shade

breakfast with your bud after your first sleepover

At Teagan's Christening

You have officially discovered the dog('s bum)

Coop likes to pet you....

I'm of the "whatever works" parenting philosophy. You sitting in the sink allows me exactly 8 minutes to do my makeup

you tend to make yourself comfortable where ever we go

precious angel

you, Milah and Joseph

Just before your first swim!

not a fan of shoes. at all.

About to go night night :)

First attempt at carrots

this face.....love it.

 

Mother's Day

As we approach Mia's 7 month mark, I have passed (or am currently passing) 2 pretty major milestones in my life. Last Monday was my 30th birthday (or what I like to refer to as the 9th anniversary of my 21st birthday) and today is my first Mother's Day as a mom.

I guess I always thought that on both of these days I would want to do something BIG....that I would need to commemorate them with a huge fancy dinner or an elaborate day of planned outings and photo ops. But when my birthday finally got here, all I really wanted to do was be at home with my family. I think it was hard for Dan to fathom me not wanting to go out, and I'm pretty sure the confused look on his face when he asked me time and again "are you sure you don't want to do anything?" was him trying to decide if my simple "I'm sure." was sarcastic....or if he was miserably failing some test I had put forth. Truth be told, this year, I already had everything I could want. I have an amazing man who I comitted to spend my life with almost a year and a half ago, and since have fallen more deeply in love with than I could have ever imagined. I have a healthy baby girl who is the absolute center of my universe, even on her "less than awesome" days. I have a beautiful home that we got to build from the ground up. And most importantly, God lets me wake up every morning (so far) to enjoy it all.

Today is Mother's Day and I think this year, for many reasons (one big one...,) has taught me how important Moms are. First, I am so happy that I can say that my mother is one of my absolute best friends. She is the person I call when I'm having a bad day, or an exceptionally good one. She is my confidant, my shoulder to cry on, and just an amazing role model as a woman and a mother. Secondly, this is my first Mother's Day as the star of the show (at least in my own house). I have been so blessed to be able to spend every day for the last almost 7 months with the most amazing little girl that God ever put on the planet. Her smile is the highlight of my day....every day. And even her sad faces make me giggle sometimes (and mother of the year goes to..... ;-)) Because of her, this year on Mother's Day I don't need the big production that I once thought I would. Today, all I want to do is spend time with the reason that I'm a mom....well the two reasons (Dan was kind of important in that process too).

And on a final note, this year has brought to light just how much I need to cherish the people in my life. My heart goes out to those who have lost a child or a parent.....I cannot even begin to imagine the pain. I think it's these events that teach us how short life is, and how important it is to be present in every moment. So, today, I will bask in being a mom. I am so thankful that I have everything I could want and need right here under one roof.

To all the mommies reading this, I wish you the most amazing Mother's Day! You have the hardest job in the world, but the best :)

here are a few pics of why I get to celebrate today......