Keeping up with the Evanses: 7 months

Jonah turned 7 months old yesterday! It's amazing how much he is growing and changing these days. I must agree that so far, this 6-8month stretch is the "golden age" and is so much fun! He interacts, plays by himself, sits by himself, eats solids and is generally very happy... without being mobile. :) I know his mobility is just around the corner, but I'm not pushing it - he's much more easily contained without crawling or cruising. No official weigh-in, but our scale (which tends to overestimate a little) says he's in the upper 17lb range. Basically stretching out a lot of his 6month clothes and transitioning into 9 months. Still in 2s for diapers but finishing off the last pack and then it's on to 3s!

Here's what he's been up to this month!

He thinks he's best friends with Elsie. She tries to stay out of arms reach, but occasionally hangs out with him on his quilt and will tolerate him petting her for a few moments... although, his newest expression of excitement and happiness is by hitting or smacking, and she's not exactly a fan of that.

Since it's summertime, he's started hanging out at the pool! We've taken him to our neighborhood pool on several occasions and he's taken a dip in Gigi's baby pool. Pretty much loves it. Jonah even enjoys Randy taking him to the "deep end" (all of about 5 ft) to get really wet. For his first summer, he's done really well. Next summer should be even more fun at the pool!

Jonah has been to his first Atlanta Braves game. He was very good the whole time, but unfortunately we had to leave mid-game because of the weather. The skies got super dark and scary, so we literally speed walked back to our car with him in order to beat the second storm that was coming through. Needless to say, the 4pm game ended up with a loss around 11pm that night. No thanks, not with a 6 month old! :)

Sitting, no problem. He's got it down and rarely tumbles. His sitting balance has been drastically improving and has the one hand down to steady as he reaches quite far away for a toy. I think he's starting to realize that there's more to explore just beyond reach, but how to get there... Jonah has been experimenting with changing positions from sitting, and not by just tumbling, but more purposeful turns and lowers himself onto his side/belly. Hasn't really figured out the quadruped position yet, though.

There's no doubt we have a little foodie on our hands! This kid loves to eat solids. Like hands smacking down on the highchair, mouth open "uhh-ing" if you're not fast enough. His teacher thinks he's so funny when he eats because he gets so into it! J usually loves everything we give him, but occasionally will boycott vegetables like green beans or peas. Some new foods we have introduced to his menu are papaya, plums, mixed grain cereal, nectarines, and store-bought mixed vegetables. It seems he likes the store bought veggies better than my not-so-successful attempts at peas and green beans. Eh, I don't mind, as long as he is eating the veggies. Oh yeah, and we've very casually introduced the sippy cup. So far he just thinks it's another chew toy, but occasionally does take a sip from it.

He pretty much always sleeps on his side or stomach now, too. Many mornings we find him crammed up in the corner of his crib because he has wiggled himself up there throughout the night. He's still sleeping through the night with no problem... then again he hasn't cut a tooth yet and I'm hoping that doesn't change when he does.

Soooo not napping... sometimes he will just smile and chat in his crib before he falls asleep.

J has become very chatty these days. He's been experimenting with his sounds a lot and has added several new sounds to his repertoire. "Ma" and "ba" sounds are becoming very common and has thrown out a few "ma-ma"s that are very clear, but I know he doesn't really know what that means. But sometimes it would be totally appropriate for him to be calling me... :) And he loves to blow raspberries!

(getting into the Baby Einstein DVD!

Totally into faces. Granted, he grabs for everything... but he especially loves to touch faces! Pulls hair, grabs noses, touches eyes, pulls glasses off faces, sticks his fingers in your mouth- everything about them he wants to touch!