7 months!

Dear Zoe,

You are 7 months old! Here is what we want to remember about you:

-You have started whining when you are bored or want something. More than one person has suggested that this may go on for another 18 years. You are getting harder to keep entertained and like it best when we give you new things to explore, like a wooden spoon and tupperware, instead of the toys you are used to.

-You are sitting up all by yourself! One day we tried it and you just knew how! We are wondering how long you had been keeping that one a secret. You love to reach and grab toys that are around you while you sit. You have fallen over with your body at a 45 degree angle to the floor a couple of times and you don't really seem to mind that all too much...at least for a couple of minutes.

-You now associate your crib with the dreaded nap/bedtime and cry when we put you there. Sometimes you settle down quickly, other times you scream bloody murder and we have to calm you down a bit and try again later. Guess you just really like us!

-You are eating like a champ. You have finally figured out that you should open your mouth when we show you the spoon. Now that it is warm out, you eat naked...clean up is a snap! You have had rice cereal, oatmeal, bananas, apples, pears, peas, green beans, sweet peas, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash so far. You love nothing more than to grab the spoon away from us or stick your hand in the bowl of food.

-You started an infant swim class. Big surprise...you were more interested in the other people in the water than splashing around. I don't think you even noticed that we were in the water! We learned how to get in the water, to splash, float on your back with your head touching the water, and kick. Daddy says no submerging, so we're opting out of that. It will be interesting to see the other babies do it though.

-You have started to learn to move your body parts in different ways. You tilt your head to the left when we talk to you (and only to the left, never the right!), you shake your head back-and-forth like you are saying "no", and move your hand in a twisting motion like you are screwing in a light bulb.

-We've been out and about a lot recently and you get a LOT of attention. Everyone wants to talk to you and you usually give them a BIG smile. What a little social butterfly you are! The comment we get most often is what big beautiful eyes you have. We agree ;)

-Life if getting more and more exciting with you around. You've brought happiness to a whole new level for your Mom and Dad (and a lot of other people). It's so much fun watching you learn and grow!