7 Months Old!

Happy Birthday, Doodlebump!
Lauren Margaret is 7 months old today! I love this age, but I'm not so sure I'm ready for her to be any older just yet. For the last few months, I kept saying, "I can't wait for her to do this...or that." Now, I am wishing time would just slow down! Be careful what you wish for - it just might come true! As I look back on past entries, I find that I kept saying, "I love this age" each and every month. People always say it just gets more and more fun...I see what they mean now! I do feel like she's growing up faster and faster, though. I keep trying to remind myself to enjoy each and every day...even through the challenging moments. I know this day will never come again, so I need to enjoy each and every moment! That being said, I could have easily skipped the "crying it out" phase and been equally fulfilled!!! That was rough! I think we are over the hump - at least until the next few teeth come in, right?? So, on to this months updates:

-She has two teeth (came in right around 6 1/2 months...this explains all the sleep issues we have had over the last few weeks - back to normal now that they've popped through)
-She's not really loving the pacifier anymore...still will use it occasionally, but doesn't have much interest in it anymore...other than chewing on it. I guess that's a good thing?? We'll see...
-Sleeps from about 7:30/8:00 pm - 8:00/8:30 am (I'm sure most of you don't really care to hear these minor details, but this blog is serving as my "baby notes" so I won't forget this all next go round...bare with me :)
-Still taking three naps for about an hour each (sometimes two naps and those are typically two hours long on those days)
-Crawling all over and under things (including getting stuck under the coffee table)...she's still trying how to get herself out of this predicament
-Reaches out for Daddy when he gets home from work (this is new and very sweet...)
-Enjoyed her first breakfast at Cafe Brazil last weekend with Daddy. Brandon said he wants this to be something they do often on the weekends...walking over to breakfast there...I thought that was so cute...and I sure loved going back to bed for another hour!!!
-Likes looking for the dogs, crawling towards them, and following them around
-Pulling up on anything and ANYONE
-Loves playing on the floor with her toys (favorites this month have been the drum, maracas, soft blocks, teething toys...anything she can chew)
-Enjoys being with her little friends...she's really likes interacting with adults as well...doesn't meet a stranger anywhere we go
-Isn't as interested in the Exersaucer and Jumperroo this month...wants to be free to crawl around, I guess
-Enjoys eating just about everything (eating twice a day....morning and late afternoon). Green peas are still her favorites...she makes the mmmm....sound every time she takes a bite. Enjoys carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, summer squash, plums, apples, pears, bananas, mango...not so fond of green beans (I steamed and pureed them but they were not tasty...even I didn't like them...might need to try the jar kind). I have noticed her appetite has gone down a bit...I hear teething can cause this??
-Giggles at funny voices we make and when tickled and likes to laugh and play peek a boo
-Loves to play patty cake, patty cake and singing any fun songs
-Enjoys sitting in the high chair at restaurants and carts at the grocery store...completely has changed my life!! No more carting around that heavy carrier in and out of places...whoo hoo!
-Loves books...her favorites are the ones that have children's faces and animals...and the Peek-a-boo books!
-Is trying to clap...we think...after we do it, she pulls her hands together and raises them up and down...she smiles like she is proud of herself even though she's not quite got the hang of it
-Still enjoys bathtime and splashing in the water

We went to the splash park earlier this week to celebrate James and LM's upcoming bdays (1 year - James and 7 months - LM)...wanted to do something fun and different. It was great! We will be going back....