16-8-2009 - Joel is 7 months old

My mood while writing this blog: Wow

Hard to believe it but Joel is 7 months old today!! Crazy.. he is now closer to being 1 years old than being a newborn LOL my little guy is growing up so fast! I still remember him being that little itty bitty baby in the hospital and being so strong when those drs wanted to do everything under the sun to him!!

He get solids three times a day now and has spread his breastfeeding out to almost 4 hours! YAY so much better than every 2 hours.. he slept through the night the other night but last night was up 4 times so he is still waking almost every 3 hours at night. He is getting better about waking up though. He isn't wanting to eat all the time at night.. sometimes he just wants his bink and me to fix his blanket.

He loves to eat.. he will pick up food off the tray and put it in his mouth and then throw it over the side of his chair or walker if he doesn't like it lol.. his cat Misty thinks this is great.. she eats the food he throws over the side. He likes green beans.. I want to buy him the little poofs that Gerber makes because he likes to feed himself now.

He isn't crawling yet.. he despises being on his tummy! I don't know how to encourage tummy time when he hates it so much. He will scoot backwards on his back but nothing about going forward. His legs are so strong though.. my mom keeps telling me that he will skip crawling and go straight to walking! Yikes! I would like him to crawl first :) he likes to stand up and hold my hands. He doesn't sit by himself yet either. I sit him up and he will sit for a bit and then push himself over and grin. He thinks that it is a game!

I will update some pics in a bit..

Developmental Milestones 7 Months Old

Physical

• Your baby can support some of her weight on her legs and loves to bounce (does this)
• Can turn when sitting to reach for a desired object (doesn't sit but will turn while laying down)
• May be able to get into a sitting position from lying on stomach (nope!)
• Can scoop things up with one hand and transfer from one hand to another (all the time!)
• Can drink from a two handed cup with assistance (does this by himself.. loves his sippy cup!)
• May start to roll around the room to get objects she desires (nope!)
• Will try to crawl (he scoots backwards on his back lol)
• Begins to actually get teeth (has had two teeth since 4 months old)
• Can stand while holding onto someone or something (he will stand if I hold him up but no pulling up yet)
• Can pull up to a standing position from a sitting one (only if I am holding him)
• Some babies can cruise around furniture while holding on (nope)

Intellectual

• Enjoys banging objects together (ugh loves this lol)
• Continues to make babbling sounds (all time time!)
• Is very curious about the world around them (yup)
• Your baby will start to test your authority (YES lol)
• Actively engages in hiding games-likes to play peek a boo (loves this during mommys shower)
• Can remember small things-the jack in the box pops up at the end of the song (yep)
• Understands how objects relate to one another in 3D space (what?)
• May be able to sort toys (no)
• Waves bye-bye (no)
• May be able to say mama or dada (nope not yet!)

Emotional

• Vents frustration (oh my yes..)
• Beginnings of separation anxiety starts (this has been going on for months..)
• May awake more during the night seeking your comfort (yup)
• Can recognize different tones and may burst into tears if you speak harshly (yes)

Age Appropriate Toys

• Books (loves to read with mommy)
• Exercise saucer (sometimes likes it)
• Balls (likes these)
• Bath toys (yup)
• Cause and effect toys (yep)
• Musical instruments-shakers, cymbals, drums, etc.. (likes his piano)
• Jack in the box or other pop up toys (they scare him...)
• Hiding toys (yells if I hide his toy!)
• Stacking toys and nesting cylinders (likes the bucket ones)
• Blocks (need to get him some!)
• Games such as peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake (yes)
• Stuffed animals (LOVES his alligator!)
• Large dolls (yep.. large alligator!)