7 Months Old - A Jackson Family

Dear Emily,

Seven months suits you well. You have been an absolute gem this week as we have gone into the final days before our move. I think this has a little bit to do with your ability to access a ton of things we normally wouldn’t encourage, and the options are ever changing as we pack. I have to remember now that your silence means that you found a really cool discovery that will eventually end up in your mouth.

Speaking of which, tags and zippers are your absolute favorite! They are fun to feel with your fingers and even more fun to chew on. If an item has either of these features, it takes only moments for you to locate them.

For a couple of weeks, going to sleep at night was a long process that involved a lot of tears. This last week though we have found that after reading scriptures and singing I am a Child of God that we can lay you down and you fall asleep without crying for both naps and bedtime. This works about 70% of the time anyway. You have also begun sleeping on your stomach! This is so strange to see because you still don’t like anything that resembles tummy time when you are awake.

I did catch you in a tired moment just laying on the floor, which is also new. Maybe moving wears you out too.

You have a lot of spunk these days. You often have your mouth open wide with an excited grin, making all sorts of noises from growls to squeals to laughter. The first hour when you wake up is your prime time for personal exploration and independence. You smile at us when you see us but otherwise you are happy to be left alone.

At night after Dad gets home and you’ve had dinner (baby food mixed with rice cereal and possibly a banana for dessert) it has become screaming time. You sit on the floor and wave your hands up and down and let your voice of pure joy be heard. Life is even more amazing when this includes a highlighter or spoon to wave in the air with both hands and occasionally chew on.

A favorite toy of yours is a hanger that one of your outfits came on. You spin it around and around with your feet, chew on it, wave it around, and sometimes surprise yourself when it hits you on the head.

No teeth yet, even though the pediatrician saw them coming both at your four and six month appointment. I can’t say I’m disappointed they haven’t arrived yet.

On Tuesday you pulled yourself up to standing! You were trying to dump out a box I packed so I held it down and you just stood right up. We only have plastic totes in our apartment right now, so once we are around furniture again I think you will be in heaven.

You are really close to crawling, but last week you got into a bin I had just filled and I began hoping/praying that you wouldn’t take off until after we have reached our next destination.

It is really fun to see you turning yourself around with ease and getting on your hands and knees and rocking back and forth. You are able to get just about everything you want with your surprisingly long arms.

You like a good joke, especially when you and Dad go in on it together. A few weeks ago you came into the kitchen with a diaper on your head, arms flying, and mouth open with excited squeals.

Then you saw the camera and proudly posed with Dad. Oh you seemed so grown up. With a diaper on your head.

You and I have been spending a lot of time outside. Being outside is very serious business for you; almost no talking and rarely a smile. There are too many people to watch, leaves to eat, and blades of grass to feel. It is sure fun to watch you take in the world.