Sammy and Alex - 7 Months

My sweet little angel turned seven months old yesterday. We started our day with the story about the day he was born. I told him about how my water broke early that morning. About how his Noni was in the car and on the road in record time so that she could help welcome him into this world. About how excited his daddy and I were to meet him. And about how these last seven months have been so full of joy with him in our family.

He smiled while I shared my memories. I smiled, too. And then his smile turned into laughter as he tried to outsmart me in our morning wresting match.

That's right - he flips, flops, rolls, and scoots all while I'm trying to try to lotion him up, change his diaper, and get him dressed on top of his changing table. Jerry and I have had to try and distract him with a toy so that he'll stay put. This trick will probably only work for another day or two. Then we're really going to be in trouble because this kid is HARD to keep still.

He talks up a storm and is making new sounds. I'm pretty sure that during our wrestling match he's trying to tell me, "Come on, Momma, I've got things to do, places to go, and toys to see!" =) We have conversations all day long. He talks to me, I talk to him - just like we're old friends. He shares his joys, his jokes, his frustrations, his hurts - all of it. And I just soak it all in.

Alex is on the brink of crawling. He'll get up on his arms and legs and rock back and forth and then make a lunge or scoot forward. I don't think it will be long before he's got the coordination of it all down and he begins exploring the house. We're working on baby-proofing. And it's a good thing Nana and Pops have already put up a chain link fence in their backyard so that Little Man doesn't wander off into the lake!

One of the sad milestones I've faced in the last month has been the end to nursing. I chuckle to think back on the days when I was pregnant, and I approached nursing - like so many things - very rationally. "If it works, great. If it doesn't, that's ok, too." And then Alex was born, and the emotions set in.

At that point, I really wanted nursing to work because what I thought would be just a means of getting him fed became a very endearing time together. I loved the fact that I could give him something that no one else could, and I loved the time we got to spend together - especially in the middle of the night when it was just the two of us.

Before Alex was born, I never understood how nursing "creates a bond" like all the books say. But now I do. I still can't explain it, but it is truly an emotional experience. So having it come to an end has been sad for me. It signifies one chapter closing, and I am reminded again about how quickly he'll grow up. This is where I give praise to God that I am able to stay at home with him. What a blessing!

In other food news, Alex has been eating solids for breakfast, lunch and dinner. His favorite - FRUITS. If we're feeding him fruit of any variety, he opens his mouth and stretches his neck forward for the next bite just like a baby bird. Now, if we're feeding him veggies, he's not as eager to get the next bite, and he'll just take his sweet time. Sometimes he even spits it out. Oh, and meats? Don't even think about it unless they're disguised as fruits (Apples and Chicken) or a veggie he likes (Sweet Potatoes with Turkey). Then maybe, just maybe, he'll eat it.

He tries to take his bib off during mealtime. Sometimes he's successful, and sometimes he's not. He also likes to chew on it. And he always has to stop and take notice of what's on his bib - his name, an animal, monsters, food. Nothing gets by him.

Yes, Alex has become very observant. For example, a month or so ago you could have set him in his stroller, and he would have just looked forward. Now, he notices the straps, the fabric - all the parts. I'm pretty sure this is only because he is on the lookout for something to put in his mouth. Because everything goes in his mouth. All to help soothe the teeth he's got coming in.

He's got four teeth now - the two lower central incisors (bottom front teeth) and the two upper lateral incisors (the teeth on each side of the top front teeth). By the looks of his gums, the top central incisors (front teeth) will be coming in before long, too.

Here are his latest stats.

• Height - 27.8" (75th percentile)
• Weight - 17 lbs 13 oz (37th percentile)
• Head Circumference - 17.8" (75th percentile)

He's also developed tickle spots - mostly on the side of his ribs. I've got to try and get some video footage of this. It's hilarious to watch his reaction.

As I think about these last seven months, one of the things I'm most grateful for is our family and friends who love Alex so much. I am excited for what lies ahead in his sweet little life and that he will know love in such mighty ways. We are blessed.