7 Months...

Dear Cooper,

Today you are 7 months old! This first year of your life is slipping by at an alarming rate! You are at the age where you change and develop so quickly that you seem like a new baby every couple of weeks!

You are beginning to sit pretty well on your own. You still don't realize exactly what is going on, so you fall backwards every once in a while...if you aren't paying attention! You scoot around on your back and tummy very well...enough to get where you want to go! If something is out of reach...you will work your way over to it in record time! Your newest trick is getting up on your hands and knees and rocking back and forth. You think it is pretty nifty to do that! It won't be long until you figure out how to crawl!
You are still eating pretty well. You have tried most everything I know to give you and so far mangoes are the only thing that may have been a problem! We will try them again in a while. You are less enthusiastic about eating than your siblings were...but you still eat most everything. The next foods we will try are broccoli & pumpkin.
Your brother and sister are still crazy about you! They fight over who gets to talk to you and play with you. It's pretty annoying! Carinna thinks she needs to mother you all the time. She would feed, diaper and dress you if I would let her! I tried to let her feed you the other day...but she shoves the spoon a bit too far down your throat...you don't like it very much! Caden has started to wrestle around with you some. You laugh and laugh at both of them...and they laugh at you, too!

You now weigh 23 lb 10 oz...officially more than your sister....and are 28 in long. You are back on the growth chart coming in at 95% for height, 97% for weight and 70% for head circumference! You wear 12-18 month clothes and size 4 0r 5 diapers. I think you have begun to slow down on growth for now. I am hoping you will make it through winter wearing the same size clothes.
You are such a good baby! You are happy and easy going. You hardly ever fuss, so when you do we know you really need something! You love to laugh and play...and be tickled. Your legs and tummy are the most ticklish! You have some separation anxiety on occasion and relish one-on-one attention from anyone!

You are a precious boy and we love you so much! We are so thankful to have you in our family!

Happy 7 months!

The way things used to be...

I used to sleep late.
We used to go to restaurants to eat.
I used to have time to myself.
I used to enjoy shopping for myself.
I used to use the bathroom without an audience.
I used to treat my dog like a child.
I used to sleep soundly without a care in the world.
I used to go to the movies and watch things not rated G.
I used to have a smaller car.
I used to have smaller hips.
I used to not deal with anyone's body fluids or byproducts except my own.

These days I am up before dawn...and sometimes a couple of times during the night. I am too afraid to venture to restaurants with 3 kids. I have 3 alternating constant companions. I rarely have time to shop for myself. I never go to the bathroom alone...except very late at night. I haven't seen a grown-up movie in ages...or even a grown-up t.v. show for that matter. I drive a mini van and spend my whole day wiping hineys, faces and noses (each with different wipes of course)!

But, the truth is...I wouldn't trade it for anything.
It's hard to imagine all the immense joy I would be missing without these guys.
What would our home be like without the belly laughs and screaming...and even the tooting? What a dull and boring life we would be leading.
No sticky hands and faces, bath tub full of toys, tiny socks on the floor...

No outdoor adventures, walking sticks, dirty boots, snail collections...
No monster trucks, trains, baby dolls, princess shoes, hair bows...
No bottles, burp rags, diapers, blankies...
No middle of the night cuddles, snuggles on the couch, tight hugs, wet kisses...
No, I don't miss the way things were...not really. The time will come again when our house is quiet...and clean. These little guys will grow up so quickly, move away and leave us behind. All this craziness is only for a season...and I am trying my best to soak it all up!