(Quick note: This has been a work in progress for a long time. I didn't anticipate it taking me THIS LONG to post Skylar's 7 month letter! But the visit from my parents and Skylar's recent difficult sleep patterns and sickness have taken their toll. So, it is what it is. Enjoy... and Month 8 will be coming up soon!)
Dear Skylar,
It's hard for me to believe that another month has flown by! Time is passing so quickly, baby girl! You're getting so big! Mostly 9 month clothes are fitting you now (we know from your check-up early this month that you're right around 18 pounds -- though probably more now!). You're also in some 12 month clothes (especially pants).
You had a good check-up with no issues. You're still very healthy, little one... though growing like a weed! After getting back from the doctor's office you were up on all fours, lost your balance and fell on a toy! This resulted in, drum-roll-please, your very first black eye! This isn't something your Mamma was expecting to happen quite so soon... but it was interesting taking you out with your shiner. People everywhere would comment about it... and you got lots of attention while your eye healed. It took a couple weeks, but you eye is completely back to normal now and there's no evidence that you ever had such an epic bruise. I'm thankful that you heal so quickly!
You experienced your very first Valentine's Day, beautiful girl! You modeled a "Happy Valentine's Day" sign to tell those important people in your life how much you care for them on that day! Hehe... you and your Mom had a good time during that photo shoot. You chewed on the slate board and were quick to realize you could "smear" the chalk and play with it. There's pink everywhere on the blankets we used for the photos. :)
This month was your "evolution of the crawl" month. At the beginning of the month you were having trouble getting up into the crawling position (as evidenced by the fact that while trying to do it you fell on a toy and gave yourself a black eye). You would pull yourself up, though, and try so very hard to move forward. This often resulted in you bucking your body in a forward-moving-motion while not actually going anywhere. Fast forward to the end of the month: You're crawling!! It is clumsy sometimes, but you're moving forward -- one awkward movement at a time! You're using your legs and your arms together -- instead of trying to pull yourself with your arms. You crawl better on carpet than on the hardwood floors downstairs, but that's to be expected. BUT you are getting better in that area too! You crawled to me for the first time on the hardwood floor this month (3/6)! Mamma was so proud of you in that moment!
You're learning that even when you don't like something that I'm doing for you, that it might be what you need anyway. The big thing you've seemed to "get" is that when I suck snot out of your nose (ewww!) it's to help you! I noticed this around the middle of the month (2/13). You also seem to understand taking Tylenol when you need it. Before this month you would spit it out, but this month you started sucking from the syringe! This is much easier on your Mom and Dad than trying to force you to take it when you're sick!
You have always enjoyed bath-time, but you're starting to really get into it, baby girl! You love splashing and playing! You're very curious about the water coming from the faucet and try to "grab" it! You also are more independent and try to move around more yourself. Your Mom has to watch you closely or you try to "eat" the water. It's pretty fun watching you explore and learn, though.
You've tried and loved several new foods this month!: carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal cereal! You also ate whole-cooked carrots at Cracker Barrel this month (3/3)! You like pretty much every food we've tried thus far except for avocados. This makes your Mommy somewhat sad, but we'll try them again in the future.
You notice small changes in what your Mom is wearing (and your Dad too). You notice most often when breastfeeding. For example if I'm wearing a ring you try to look at it, and you notice when I change my nail polish (especially if it's a bright color). You also notice Daddy's clothes and when he has or doesn't have his name tag on from work.
Your Mom and Dad realized this month that when you play with your remote toys you use it the way we do -- with your thumbs (noticed 2/21). It's so cute to see you imitating us! You continually make us both smile and laugh. Along the same lines, when I let you hold the nail file I use to shorten your nails (otherwise you scratch your face up a lot!) you try to hold it and use it on your other hand the same way that I do -- back and forth! (At least you try for a little while -- then the file ends up in your mouth, just like everything else!)
You are definitely still teething, little one! And this month you saw the entrance of your 2nd tooth (around 3/6). You now have 2 front teeth on the bottom. You're so cute with your matching teeth! There seems to be no end to the chewing in sight, so there may be more teeth next month!
Another new thing this month is that you move your hand against your mouth to make noises (3/2). You do this most often to get Mommy's attention because you've noticed that it makes me laugh. You are such a silly Bean, and I love that about you!
Favorite toys this month: Anything that's good to chew on (especially your Baby's 1st Toothbrush)! You still love your remote and the grown-up remote that we gave you. You also fell in love with your carseat owl companion (just like your Mom thought you would). In the quest for sleep you've also started sleeping with some cuddly friends. Your first sleep-cuddler was Mumford from your very sweet Aunt Lisamarie! Your Daddy gave him to you one night and cuddling him has helped you sleep some nights! You also sleep with your Lambie (from Grandma and Grandpa B) now and you love both very much!
Well, Skylar Joy, keep growing and learning so fast! Your Mom & Dad are keeping up -- but just barely! Next month let's work on sleeping more at night. Your Mom & Dad would love that! Regardless, we love you so very much and can't wait to see what next month brings.
Love Always & Forever, Your Mamma
Skylar's 6 & 7 Month pictures (taken by me, edited by me):
