Happy 7 months!

 What Joy is doing: 

• Joy is almost crawling! The last few days she has mastered rocking back and forth on her knees and hands, however she still lacks the coordination to get her hands and knees going in the same direction. She can get from one side of the carpet to the other with no troubles at all. 

 Look at me, I am up on all fours

 I like trying to crawl but sometimes I get mad and frustrated!

• Everything goes into her mouth! So far the things we have caught her with in her mouth other than toys: carpet, chair leg, the ottoman, the entertainment center, diaper bag, anything with straps (my tank tops, the Ergo, the activity center buckles/straps), my shoes, Rudy's toys. Yep the last two are pretty gross. I am trying to put stuff away and clean the floors more. Thankfully she hasn't found the dog food yet!

 

Rudy is hoping Joy stays away from his bed

  

 Eats

• Nursing: She still loves to nurse but does get quite distracted, especially in the morning when she first wakes up. All she wants to do is play with daddy so eating is not that exciting. 
• Solid food: Joy has taken to solid food like duck to water. Although she is still pretty particular about texture (no lumps please) and temperature (it must be warm or she will NOT eat it).
• Loves: pumpkin, carrots, green beans, apples, pears
• Verdict is still out on: bananas (her Aunt Ruthie would be proud)
• Introducing this week: avocado and peas
• Had an allergy to: sweet potatoes (gave her terrible diaper rash)

Sleeps:

•  Night time: Sleep training has been working, but she still does fuss when she goes down. She gets an extra bottle of breast milk when she goes down because she is very hungry at bedtime. She still sort of likes being swaddled.....it helps her calm down to go to sleep but she breaks out of it almost immediately (swaddlers aren't meant for such big, strong babies!). She is an early riser like her dad and wakes up very happy. She has started sleeping on her stomach which took her a while to tolerate. She still doesn't love it but in a half asleep state she has a hard time getting herself back to her back.
• Naps: Joy still takes 3-4 naps and is doing much better at napping longer than 40 minutes. She has abandoned her paci for her thumb.If she naps in the Ergo she will still take her paci, so there is still a small space in her heart for the paci.

Weighs: Joy still weighs 15lbs. Looks like she has reached a plateau in her weight gain, probably because she is moving so much. The girl doesn't stop moving unless she is DEEP asleep.

Likes: Her bear is still her favorite and holds it while she sucks her thumb. She loves people watching and will squawk at people in the MTR until they look at her and smile.  She loves sitting on the roof with her dad while he throws the ball for Rudy. This has become a ritual especially in the evenings since it is cooler and I tutor, so Brad gets the dog and baby out of my hair so to speak.. She loves her nighttime ritual of reading books with daddy. It is so cute to watch her follow each page.

Dislikes: Joy dislikes sleeping while we are out of the house...there is just too much to see.

Favorite event: Eating breakfast on the roof as a family and the moment that daddy walks in the door after work.

Dear Joy,
I love doing this blog post once a month. It is great to re-read your previous month postings and see how much you have grown and changed. Every month I have a hard time finding things that you "dislike" and I could go on an on about the things you like. It is a great reminder of what a happy baby we have on our hands. Joy you are such a blessing to us and we are grateful that God entrusted us to be your parents. You are the greatest "job" I have ever had. You are a great reminder to us of God's unconditional love.

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine......Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.  "( Isaiah 43: 1, 4)