Seven Months....

Owen -

I can't believe you are 7 months old.  I think parents say that all the time (just like we tell new parents to "cherish every little second").  This time, I really can't believe it.  The time has gone so much quicker with you than with Payton.  My current job is much more demanding than the job(s) I held when your big brother was born.  My schedule was a little more consistent.  I stayed home a few weeks longer when your brother was born but your Dad was actually away a lot more when Payton was birth to seven months.  I never imagined that these seven months would go by this fast.  I'm not sure I could have done anything differently to slow it down...if I could pinpoint exactly how to do that, I would have done it differently.  

I am so sad that those sweet baby days are gone - GONE!  I have already packed away many of your 1st outfits, pajamas, swaddlers, newborn gowns. I made sure I left your special 1st outfits hanging in the closet, like I had done with Payton, so that I continue to see them from time to time as a reminder of those precious memories.  At the same time - you have blossomed in the last month - from the 6 month mark to the 7 month mark you have really come alive - you babble ALL the time, you laugh out loud, you smile, your face lights up an entire room, your brother has really started interacting with you and I know that one day the two of you will be best of friends, you are sitting and playing on your own, you are so observant and I wonder what your brain is absorbing each minute of the day, your personality is forming more and more each day.  So, while I am so sad to see that my baby is no longer a baby, I am so excited to watch as you move from stage to stage.  I remember having these same feelings with Payton - though, I was not as sad to see the baby stage go away - but I know, this time, that each stage is better and each stage is more fun - so, I am confident that while I'm sad to see those precious days be "packed away" we are just getting started and we have a lot of fun in our future!

In the last month you have gained a lot of weight - I'm not sure how much, but I would guess you weigh around 17 or 18 pounds.  For the 1st time, you are heavy.  Your face is getting full, and might even be chubby.  Your cheeks are round and often red.  

You still squeeze into some of your 3-6 month clothes, but mostly you are in 6 month or 6 - 12 month clothes or 9 month clothes.

You have your 2 bottom teeth - the right came in 1st; followed by the left the next day.

You are eating Stage 2 baby foods - the only thing you don't seem to like are green peas - but you eat them once you get started.  You love baby food!

You have eaten mashed bananas - and didn't even flench at the texture or difference in flavor.

You love Mum Mums (thanks Lindsey for the introduction)

You are eating at least one serving of fruits, one serving of vegetables and some rice cereal or oatmeal every day.

You still drink 5 six ounce bottles.

We are still breast feeding but I am having to supplement.  We made it past 6 months on breast milk alone but had to supplement when you stayed in NC the week after Christmas.  I hope to continue giving you breast milk as long as possible but due to my recent illness and trip out of town my supply is very low.

You still love your pacifier.  You don't use it all the time but it is always close by.

Your eye color is yet to be determined....blue, green, or gray?  Definitely not brown like your Mom's or Payton's.  Daddy's eyes are green.

You are still in the baby room at your school.  Your 1st teacher recently left to take a better job at a different school.  We LOVED her and we were sad to see her go...but happy for her!  You still have great teachers and seem to love to be there every day.

You are the hit of the school (I think because you were literally the "baby" of the whole school for the past 4 months...and every one loves a new baby!).  Every teacher knows you and comments on how cute you are.  I agree of course!

You babble babble babble ALL the time!  You are already saying "Ba Ba Ba"  Sometimes, I think this could be in reference to Bailey because you ALWAYS say it when she comes into the room.  You are starting to pick up a few other sounds too.

You have a loud, hearty chuckle.  Payton can make you laugh very easily.

You LOVE Bailey - love to touch her and reach for her.

Your favorite toy seems to be the alphabet ball you got for Christmas - it sings; or the open ball with a smaller ball inside that was in your stocking.  You love to sit and play with both of those.

You love your excersaucer and the johnny jumper.

You are starting to push up on your arms with your chest off the ground.  You sit without assistance.

Your hair got very thin around the 5 month mark - but it is growing back now, a little lighter I think but still brown.  You have one long wisp in the front.

Overall, you are such a good baby.

You have tested us with your poor night time sleeping routine - or lack of one - for about a week, you did great.  Last night, not so much.

We have done a bad job with schedules in general this time - Payton was on a pretty precise schedule, you are not.  It doesn't really concern me but it is ironic how things change.  

You take 1 nap in the morning and 1-2 short naps in the afternoon. 

You go to bed around 8:30 and wake up for good around 6:00...demanding to get milk! 

You are a snuggle bug - and I love it!  You are going to be a Momma's boy...(please?!?!).

Sweet baby Owen, I just love you so very much!  It is amazing how much a parent's heart can expand once they add an additional child.  There is absolutely no question that my love for you is completely equal to the love I feel for your big brother.  I can't say I will never seem to have a favorite, but for now, I love you both so much for such different reasons!  Payton is my smart, athletic, outgoing child...and I love that!  You are my sweet, snuggly little baby whose big eyes melt my whole heart...and I love that, but you will grow into a big boy as well and you will develop more wonderful qualities that will make my love for you grow and grow and grow.  

In my job, I deal with sick children everyday...I have a patient who reminds me of you...I can't help but compare the two of you - what you are eating, developmentally, etc - but, I can never forget that, god-willing, you are my second healthy child.  I look at you everyday and feel so overwhelmed to have been blessed with another precious, healthy, adorable baby boy!  In the grand scheme of things - 7 months, while they have flown by, is a short glimpse of the life we should share together - I am constantly reminded of all that we have to look forward to in the months and years ahead!  

I love you so much!!

Mommy