7 Months

Val, you have got to be kidding me. It cannot possibly be 7 months since that crazy day when you made your arrival in this world. Maybe like 3 or 4 months, but not 7. No way.

When I was pregnant with you, 7 months was an eternity. How is it that now that you're here, 7 months is the blink of an eye?

But here we are. Me lying with you as you take a nap, periodically glancing over to admire you, then touch your soft hand to my cheek. Sort of like pinching myself to make sure you're real.

You've got so much going on these days, but I'll start with the almosts:

- you almost have teeth. So far you have al the Signs Of Teeth but no teeny tiny pearly whites.

- you almost can crawl. But at the last second you pull yourself up like you're going to just start walking instead.

- you almost sleep through the night. But you're holding steady at a 5 hour stretch followed by a 3 hour stretch. I still dream about getting a full night's sleep.

Here's what you are doing:

- eating more solid foods. After a brief but horrible weekend of constipation caused by us giving you too many non-fibrous foods, we seem to have reached a balance. And discovered along the way that you love peaches.

- making fart noises. The books call this 'blowing raspberries' but I know the truth. Them are fart noises and I am so proud.

- falling asleep with less and less drama. You're getting to a point where it's okay to just sleep without all that crying leading up to it.

- yes, still breastfeeding. This last month, it's become a real comfort thing for you and there's no way I could deny you something so easy that makes you feel better.

Your first Christmas is almost here. I am ready, I think. I know that there's really nothing I want, dear baby, because I have your mom and now, we have you.