Monthly Newsletter #7

My dearest Gabriel,

You're seven months old already! I am amazed each month by how fast time slips by. You are such a BIG boy now and you have Daddy and me wrapped around your little finger.

This month has been a month of big advances for you. You started cutting your top teeth and already have one of the pearly wonders peeking out. Along with the dental milestone, you have become insistent on trying new foods, bits and pieces from our plates. When we pinch off a bite for you, you poke your chin forward in anticipation like a little begging bird. When we make the donation to you, our little bird, you smile with great satisfaction. You're getting a hang of this food chewing and swallowing business even though it is quite the messy enterprise. I enjoy sharing with you the joy of food.

This month you also started crawling. You first learned how to sit yourself upright with great precision and how to lunge forward to get around. But, your growing interest in Patches the cat bolstered your new found love of movement. Just as you turned seven months, you also figured out how to crawl in the traditional way and have gotten quick with your ability to move across the room. Of course, just as Momma was absorbing this new milestone, you surprised her by pulling up in your pack-n-play into a standing position. Holy smokes--you just might be walking by nine months!

Meanwhile, your personality grows more intriguing by the day. You are a laid back baby on the whole. But, you have your moments of emotive expression. Cousin Tara has started calling you "Slappy" because you slap both hands about when you are excited or angry. You've also become quite adept at grabbing things and can do so in the blink of an eye. Several family members have watched their glasses fly across the room or your hands fill up with the food that was formerly located on their plate. Cousin Tara tolerates you pulling her hair, but the rest of us are too follicly-challenged to give up any donations to your exploration.

Mommy and Daddy have been busy getting their business going. Of course, you are our number one model and so we already owe you tons of money for your precious modeling time. However, I must mention that you have become quite the challenge to photograph now that you are into this movement business. I set you down, meter my lights, get everything all perfect for the shoot only to look up and find you across the room ready to chew on my camera cords. I then snicker to myself and give you big smooches my mobile baby.

If it is possible, I grow to love you more with each passing day. My whole universe is right because you are in it. I celebrated my 35th birthday this month and I know why I was born and why I exist: to be Gabriel's mom. It is the most fulfilling feeling in the whole world, to feel as if I have finally arrived at that long sought after place. I will never be able to fully express how you give me the joy I have waited for my whole life.

Today I went to see the doctor about having a sibling for you. It is so nice to see all the old faces and to realize that you are here now and healthy. I saw the ultrasound lady and the nurses and I felt like doing a victory dance for them. Instead, I proudly showed them our picture and bragged on you. I was so grateful to return to that place with a sense of wholeness and not desperation.

Happy seven months my angel! I pray the next month will bring more developmental strides for you and more 'firsts' in this big adventure called life.

With Love,
Mommy
Gabe's picks:
Patches the cat--she's cool
Berries and Bananas baby food--good stuff
Oatmeal--yummy
Yogurt--yummy
Mixed grain cereal--yuck, won't touch it
Cheerios--oh yeah, pass the box to me
Jumperoo--uhhh, I can crawl now, don't confine me
Swimming pool--cool beans, I can splash
Cousin Tara--she's awesome