7 Months

Dear Tree Faerie,

Yesterday was your 7-month birthday, and it seems the older you get, the faster time flies for me. I really wish sometimes that it would slow down some to make it easier to savor the moments, but I'm also looking forward to the years ahead.

This month you've mastered crawling and have started pulling up. Now I can no longer put you in the living room floor and walk away because you are no longer contained by the furniture. You have figured out where the escape route is and use it regularly. You chase the cat. You chase your daddy. You chase me. I chase you to keep you out of things you don't necessarily need to be into.

With your new-found freedom, I have to stop myself sometimes and evaluate whether or not you're actually in danger. With some things it's very clear why I will not allow you to chew on them, such as electrical cords. Other things, like your daddy's sparring pads, I think, "Ewww! Gross!" but I let you chew on them anyway because I know he keeps them clean and he didn't take them away from you, so apparently he doesn't think you'll damage them.

Also with your new-found freedom, I've learned to put you in the spare playpen when I need to get something done, such as laundry or cooking. You're usually pretty content to play in there for at least 15 minutes, sometimes 30 if I keep proving to you that I'm right there. I'm slowly starting to get more organized and a little more on top of things because of it.

You've had several new food experiences recently. I must say, since I had your daycare start feeding you cereal in the morning, it's been much easier to feed you your new foods at night. You've had sweet potatoes and watermelon, and last night you tried green beans for the first time. I'm not sure if those are going to go over well, though, because this morning at 5:30 AM you had a tummy ache. After passing really stinky gas, you felt better, but you were still a little fussy. I find it amazing you can fuss without being fully awake - asleep enough that you only fuss every other minute, but awake enough that I can't put you down. At least you're willing to try the new foods, though.

Speaking of sleep, we discovered this month that you don't sleep well when you're too warm. Our air conditioner was out for several weeks, during which time you only slept an hour or two at a time. I was very zombie-like from lack of sleep. Thankfully you have a wonderful daddy who was very forgiving of my attempts to eat his brains.

You've also been going through a bit of separation anxiety. You're fine without me as long as you know I'm nowhere nearby, but if you know I'm there, you want to be on me. I've decided to go ahead and make a mei tai, specifically this one with a few modifications, so that I can put you on my back instead of my front. I currently have a Jeep (tm) front-pack carrier, but when I wear you on my front, I still have to do things one-sided to keep you out of whatever I'm doing. I think being able to put you on my back might make some things, like vacuuming or washing dishes, a bit easier.

Oh, and you've had your first 'swimming' experiences this month! People keep suggesting I just let go to see what you'll do, but I'm afraid. I know how to teach toddlers to swim, but I don't know how to 'teach' a baby. They say you'll do it all on your own, but I'm just too afraid it will traumatize you, and I really want you to love the water as much as I do. So far, you're doing great. I don't want to mess it up.

You have definitely been a joy. You're daddy will do almost anything to get you to cackle at him. And what a cute cackle you have! It often comes easily. I can pull you into my lap and smoogle you all over, and you will start laughing so hard I stop just so you can catch your breath. You're absolutely wonderful!

I'm looking forward to the next month's-worth of experiences - the foods, the pulling up, the sleep, the fun. I just really hope you're not walking by 8-months!

I love you, Tree Faerie!

XOXOXO,
Mama

(Pictures will come soon)