7 Months

Ok, I'm sure there are other mom's out there who feel this way... but when Veda was six months old, she was still my little baby.  Now she's seven months old, SEVEN MONTHS OLD, and that just sounds so old to me.  As in she's now closer to being an entire year old than she is to being a newborn. Breaks my little heart.

Some are saying she's beginning to look more like mommy!

Routine/Schedule: Our routine has been pretty rock solid for the last seven months.  Every three hours we attempt to feed, play, nap.  Now that she's getting more of a mind of her own, she sometimes pushes back naps or feedings, but it's mostly on track. 

Feeding: We just introduced solids last month, s.l.o.w.l.y! For a few reasons, (1) daddy has/had a bunch of allergies, (2) my belief is "under one, food for fun" and (3) I just don't want to rush my baby :)  She gets one new food introduced each week and only eats about one ounce every other day.  So far she's had avocado, peas and pears.  She's starting to understand the whole eating thing a little bit better and seems to enjoy it.  She did have a bout of constipation that was painful for all of us, but that has since resolved. I'm trying to introduce water via a sippy cup, which has been difficult.  I took out the part of the cup that makes you suck and just drip a small amount of water in her mouth... which she then spits out.  Maybe it's too cold, she's used to breastmilk so I should probably make it room temperature.     

Say What?! You want me to eat solids?

Sleeping:  Miss thang has been waking up a few times a night, usually 2:30 & 3:30.  She just requires the pacifier and then goes right back to bed.  I'm looking forward to the day she can replace the pacifier herself.  We currently don't give it to her when we lay her down for the night though and she goes to sleep just fine without it.  I attempted the cry it out method this month.  She went right to bed on the third night with no tears.  We've since decided that she's only going to be little once, so if she wants to be held/rocked/bounced to sleep, we'll just do it.  We love her too much to let her cry, it's a bit ridiculous.  This child has hardly cried in her entire life.  I see a spoiled child in our future.  

Her naps have been a bit improved over the last weeks or so, taking a total of three, one hour (+) naps a day.  Mostly in our bed, but that's fine.  

I think you're supposed to be sleeping, angel!

Stats:  She hasn't been weighted since her six month check up.  I'm guessing she hasn't gained too much, maybe a pound or so.  She wears mostly six month clothing, but can still fit in to some 3-6 month outfits.  She is still in size 2 diapers, for now. 

Last month I mentioned she had a red patch under her chin, the pediatrician suggested Lotrimin cream as if it were fungal/ringworm.  He said if it didn't resolve, call him and maybe it's actually exzema and we could go from there.  It actually did improve and I can hardly notice it anymore.  I still don't really believe it was ringworm... maybe I'll never know.  

Struggles:  For me, I would say the sleeping at night.  We were so spoiled with her sleeping soundly since eight weeks old that now I'm like, what the heck little bug? Mommy needs to sleep before work! Not that she's up for hours, but waking up a few times to go give her a pacifier interrupts my sleep just enough for me to not feel completely rested.  Trust me, I'll survive.
I would say for Brett, it's getting anything accomplished during the days that I work! Veda keeps him pretty busy and I think it's nearly impossible for him to even get an email constructed/sent.  I'm sure it'll get easier when she's crawling (hahahah!).

Daddy DayCare, Breakfast in Bed

Milestones:  Veda is rolling over completely now, front to back/back to front.  Luckily she hasn't figured out she can do it continuously and get wherever she thinks she needs to be.  She's also sitting pretty independently.  She is beginning to reach and grab everything, nothing is safe if it is within arm's reach.  She's started to mimic sounds, facial expressions and activities.  For example, after daddy finished a bottle of Dr. Pepper, Veda held it and acted like she was drinking from it.  She's figuring out how to act to get her needs met.  She is an expert flirt, that's for sure!

Likes/Dislikes:  She loves being told she's pretty :) That always elicits a huge, toothless grin! She likes to be tickled/eaten.  She loves mommy & daddy devoting every second to her.  She loves bath time. She 'talks' non-stop, who knows where she gets that?!
She hates having her nose picked ;) I've tried every method I know possible, but she's real attached to those boogies! She also isn't a big fan of having her diaper changed when she's hungry.  

Just playing in her Exersaucer

Adventures: Well, we were supposed to go to Avila Beach as a family near the beginning of July, but decided since Brett was going for work, Veda and I would stay home.  Plus, we all know she would have won the bikini contest and it may have started a cat fight! ;) Then it seemed as though I worked a lot, I had a lot of classes to take/skills days at work so I had to go in 4 days a week, so I feel like we didn't do much.  Until... Nana came to town!!! Veda went to Malibu with daddy and Nana, went to the local pool and to the mall.  Then I had a couple of days off, so we went on a road trip to Santa Barbara, which turned into a road trip to Los Olivos.  We did some wine tasting and then had a nice dinner on the way back home, in Santa Barbara.  Veda was a trooper in the car and was very patient while the adults sipped on wine :)

Someone was excited to see Nana!

Hangin' at the beach! She dipped her toes in that COLD ocean water!

How we (the parents) are doing:  We are doing well.  It's still not especially fun/exciting for me to get up and go to work, but I feel like I've transitioned well.  I am so glad that I opted to switch to day shift! Brett leaves later this month to tape for BET's Comic View, so that's exciting!!! 

Uncle Cory asked if she is ever NOT smiling.  Not too often, she is a happy baby,
but there are times ;)

Looking forward to: Continuing to watch my little one grow, although I'm hoping it slows down, but it doesn't, does it? Nope, didn't think so.

And here is our monthly photo in our 12 month old outfit, it's going to fit one of these days :(

7 Months old