Seven Months

As with many moms, I'm running a little behind, but am only a week late on a seven month Brylee update. There was no doctors appointment or big event associated with seven months. And when people ask me, "What is she up to these days?", there are actually few physical milestones that are different from 6 months. Brylee was an early sitter, so she already had mastered that. But she's not really rolling, crawling, or doing any other gross motor activity yet that is a measurable milestone. But seven months has been a HUGE month when it comes to personality, socialization, and cognitionn!

Brylee in bullet points:

- Her schedule is very consistent, the same as at six months. She still sleeps great at night, naps decently during the day, and eats well

- We have really started using formula to supplement this month. She nurses about 2-3 times a day and gets formula 2-3 times each day. She's pretty flexible about going from one to the other. Although, even with the formula, she does not take the minimum recommendation of 24 oz of milk each day...she just doesn't want to drink anymore, and would prefer her fruits & veggies

- She loves her cheerios now, and after a few weeks of gagging on them because she could not figure how to move them around in her mouth, she now is getting the hang of "chewing" and gumming them until she can swallow
- She's showing some interest in our food, and I've let her suck on watermelon & cantaloupe, but she freaks out if she bites off a piece and doesn't know what to do with it (I also freak out because it's usually a big enough piece to choke on). We try putting it in those mesh ring-pop looking things, but she definitely doesn't like it as much

Her personality is really shining through:

-She loves looking at people, and definitely does not know it is not polite to stare! Luckily, she's a cute baby and people don't mind the stares, and they usually smile back

- She loves reaching for things - she's beginning to reach & lunge out of our arms when she wants to grab something while we're holding her

- She still is a momma's girl. She will go to other people fine, as long as I'm nearby or completely out of the picture. If she can see me from afar, she gets upset

-She can follow just one command so far, which is simply "Kisses." She will open her mouth wide so we can kiss her. She will also do it to her stuffed animals if I bring them to her face

- I think she slightly understands the word "NO," because I use it when she bites me while nursing. Her usual reaction is to stop, and then to giggle, so I don't quite think I'm getting the point across (it doesn't help when I crack up laughing, though, because it is just so cute & funny!)

- She tries to manipulate things in her fingers, like picking up her Cheerios or smaller toys. She's just learning this, so is not very good yet

Overall, she is a very curious baby, and at a stage where she wants to reach & touch anything new. Other people are by far her favorite, and although a little shy, she usually reaches out to touch them. It is very rewarding watching her learn and discover her world around her!

Seven Months Old - June 23, 2011

(actually, these pictures were taken on July 3 because I had totally forgotten and we had been out of town...oops!)