Sarah At Seven Months

Stats
Weight: 19lb 10oz (weighed when receiving the flu shot on 3/7)
Height: 27" (guess)
Head circumference: 16.75" (guess)

Sleeping
There's basically nothing new to share in the sleep department since Sarah's six month post.  She still sleeps through the night from 8:15-7:30 and takes three naps a day.  No complaints!  She sleeps in a sleep sack, and we're moving away from the pacifier a bit.  She doesn't have to have it to go to sleep at night now which is nice.  She uses the pacifier so little that it's really not a concern.  Do other people's babies like sleeping on their side like this?  It's new for Sarah this month.

Eating
We've entered into the exciting world of fruits and vegetables!  I've been making Sarah's baby food, and it's going really well.  The first food we gave her was acorn squash, and she really likes it.  Other favorites are butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and apples.  She loves those and even eats a double serving every once in awhile.  Servings are still just about an ounce.  She likes carrots and bananas.  She has warmed up to green beans and avocados.  She hated them at first, but I had success masking the flavor with formula and rice cereal until she liked that, and then I started serving them plain.  I've purchased peas to make for Sarah as well.  She still takes four 8oz bottles a day.  We bumped up to the size 3 nipple, and she guzzles up the formula!

Personality
Sarah is hilarious, and she knows it!  When she does something that makes us laugh she smiles and laughs.  When she cries and I give her the pacifier she will play with it in her mouth and start giggling and spit it out.  She's a happy baby and really goes with the flow.  She's very inquisitive and enjoys doing new things.

Health and Physical Ability
She has totally sitting mastered.  She's been rolling over from tummy to back and back to tummy more frequently but still not every day.  Sarah's becoming more and more interested in her body parts like feet, ears, wrists.  She also enjoys touching and eating other people's faces and hair.  She has started hitting and licking the mirror when looking at that cute baby in the mirror.

Superficial
Sarah's hair is getting a bit longer.  She has awesome chunk thighs and fairly slender arms.  Her teeth are getting bigger, so her smile is changing but it still totally adorable.

Highlights of the month
February 8 - First baby food

February 9 - MOPS play date at Burger King 

February 13 - Valentine's Banquet - Sarah spent a ton of time at the church while Robert and I did prep work

February 15 - Day with Grandma Beth - My mom had the day off for President's Day, and we had an awesome time together!

February 17 - Afternoon with Memaw and Pepaw - We always welcome daytime visits from them, and we're so thankful to live near family!

February 20 - First trip to the zoo - It was awesome!  Loud, pretty animals.  A huge nap.  What more could you need?

February 21 - First bonfire - Robert had a bonfire or two with the youth this fall, but I didn't take Sarah because she just seemed so tiny and fragile.  I took her to this one, and felt like we'd made a good decision.  The wind was blowing one direction the whole time, so we were able to sit where we didn't get any smoke.  We were bundled up.  It was cool but still warm considering it was February.  Sarah napped for most of it.

February 22 - Day with Dee Dee - My friend came to hang with us.  We went to story time at the library, and then just did the things I'd do with Sarah on a normal day.  Nice to have a companion around for it!

February 24 - MaMa sound - Okay, I know we can't exactly call this a first word, but Sarah is all about the MaMa sound.  It's still going down as a vocalization before DaDa!

February 25 - Stays on hands and knees for one minute after being placed in that position - Another step toward crawling!!!

February 26 - First trip to the pool - It was awesome!  No crying, lots of splashing, and a huge nap afterward.

March 1 - DaDa sound - Just a week after the MaMa sound!

March 2 - Donna's funeral, spent two nights with Grandma and Grandpa - Our family's dear friend Donna passed away, and it was Sarah's first funeral.  Sarah spent most of the service wandering the church with Robert, but she mingled before the service and afterward at the lunch.  She was really able to bring some smiles and happiness, and I was thankful again that children bring out the best in us and inspire us.  Sarah even met the quilting club at the church, and I think they wanted to adopt her as an honorary member!

March 4 - Infant See eye exam - We participated in the Infant See program and had Sarah receive a free eye exam.  It was great!  She passed with flying colors.  The optometrist checked for her reaction to light, reaching for an object, focusing on items as them moved around, and looking through some flashcards.  The doctor worked so well with Sarah!  

Dear Sarah
I'm so thankful for your physical health.  God has blessed you with such good health since birth, and it's important to not take it for granted.  Remember, even when you get sick, whether it's a cold, broken bone, or another sickness, God is taking care of you.  We can thank God for doctors and medicine to help keep us healthy.  Another name for a doctor is a physician, and another name for Jesus is The Great Physician.  Do you know why people call Jesus this?  We all sin which makes our lives spiritually sick, but God heals us from our sins.  It's hard to imagine now, but you aren't perfect, and one day you'll ask forgiveness from Dad and me for mistakes you've made, but most importantly, God wants you to repent and ask for forgiveness so He can heal you and make you well again.  You can always thank Jesus for being The Great Physician!