On Our Way To Crazy

It was traumatic, at least for your dad and me. You were mostly unfazed. After the initial shock (and two hour screamfest), we got some medicine in you, gave you a bath and put you down for a nap, and when you woke up you were the same happy baby you always are. Just covered in red spots and giant blisters. So far things are healing well and you are looking better. It remains to be seen if there will be any long-term effects, but we are hopeful and you are happy and it could have been so much worse. So we are thankful.

But! Enough about the noodles! Outside of The Incident, month seven has been pretty great. You are trying SO HARD to crawl. Your body is full of pent-up energy and if I could move your little arms and legs for you I would, just to give you (and me) some relief. You’ve taken the whole never-be-still thing to a whole new level this month as it now includes both sleeping and nursing time as well as all of the other time. The other day you had your feet planted in my lap, your butt up in the air, and you were nursing. I wasn’t supporting you with my hands at all. Just my boob.

This month we moved you from sleeping in the rocker next to our bed to the crib in your own room. We should have done it way sooner, but I just wasn’t ready. I liked being able to open my eyes and see you, reach out and rock you when you fussed, pick you up quickly when you were hungry. But it was time. You were outgrowing the rocker and we needed a little peace in our evening routine. So into the crib you went.

I was nervous about the transition, how you would do, if we would be up all night as you adjusted. We’d always had such a hard time getting you to fall asleep in the past. Turns out, shockingly, that we were the problem. We were holding you back, girl. You just needed your space. I had no idea one tiny person could cover so much ground in their sleep. Every time I check the monitor you are at the opposite end of the crib, feet in the air, rolled over on your stomach, sprawled with a limb in each direction. Middle two fingers on your left hand always in your mouth, hand upside down. It’s still a big challenge to actually get you to sleep, but once you’re out the sleep you’re actually getting is so much better. We’re learning.

Also new this month – solid food! We are taking the Baby-Led Weaning approach, skipping right over baby food and purees and going straight for the good stuff. So far you’ve tried your hand (and mouth) at: broccoli, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, hummus, strawberries, pineapple, all kinds of melon, yogurt, avocado and cheese. You love it. I spend the entire time with my heart in my throat waiting for you to choke. This does not bode well for when we teach you how to drive.

You continue to be so happy, so expressive, so curious and cheerful. Everything is exciting, everything is amazing, everything is screech-worthy. You are beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, my sweet girl. Every day is an adventure and I’m so glad we’re in it together.

Love,
Mama