Seven Months

M has learned so many fun new tricks this last month that I am so excited to write about. 

The funniest thing he started doing is fake coughing.  It cracks me up that he even knows how to do this.  Who knew that seven months old could act?  But he totally does.  Lots of times he does it when he is starting to fuss.  He’ll throw a fake cough in there as if to say, “Guys, you better pay attention to me, I am seriously ill.”  And if we don’t look up immediately with alarm he coughs HARDER.  Sometimes he does it when he’s perfectly content though.  Often it starts out as a genuine cough, like if some of the water from his sippy cup goes down the wrong pipe, but evolves into a fake cough to get that much more attention.  As Spence put it, he likes to end his cough with a flourish.  It makes us laugh every time.  He can be so dramatic, that little one.

M has lots of other funny noises that he has picked up lately.  He’s started doing this thing where he sucks in his lower lip and then blows it back out.  I guess he is fascinated by the sound it makes because he does this all day long.  He also makes little snorty/smacky sounds when he eats his solids.  It is so cute!  He is quite vocal while he is enjoying his grub.  He kind of sounds like a little piglet.  And M does love to make a big ruckus.  Screaming is M’s specialty.  When he is happy, he just screeches at the top of his lungs.  When Spence comes home from work M musters up his biggest, happiest, screams in greeting.  His other favorite times to scream are during sacrament meeting/Sunday school/relief society.  We spend a lot of time in the hallway.  I know that you are probably thinking that he is a baby and that all babies are loud during these times.  That is true, but M’s volume is exceptional.  So much so that we often get lots of good natured compliments on his healthy set of lungs.  Just trust me on this one.  This baby is LOUD. 

M outgrew his baby tub and now bathes in the big kid tub.  I think he likes it all the better because there is more room to kick and splash.  His favorite is when I let him sit up (with a little help so he doesn’t bonk his cute punkin head).  He started siting up in the cart while we go grocery shopping.  He likes being able to smile at other shoppers without the carseat obstructing his view, but he usually gets tired of the grocery cart halfway through the trip and has to be rescued into mom’s arms. 

M is still not crawling, nor does he seem particularly close.  He hates being on his tummy.  I usually get on the floor with him with lots of toys in attempt to distract him, but M will only stay a few moments before flipping to his back.  I flip the little pancake back to his tummy, only to have him roll over again moments later.  He is just not interested.  I’ve always held (or worn) M a LOT and he adores cuddling more than anything in the world.  My guess is that is part of the reason he doesn’t seem too keen on learning to crawl.  He wants to be in people’s arms socializing, not down on the floor away from all the action.  He would rather cuddle than explore. 

M doesn’t like to be put down a lot.  Which can be tricky sometimes because he is so dang heavy!  Little chunk.  I used to be able to do things like vacuum and make bottles and such one handed.  But it is getting harder the bigger he gets.  M Bug is most content when he is doing what we are doing.  He loves to “help” me put on makeup.  I sit in front of the floor length mirror while M slaps his reflection or chews on a tube of my mascara.  He loves all the pretty shiny make up bottles.  M also likes to sit in our laps at the table.  He will sit in his high chair for a short while sometimes and enjoy fruit in his fresh food feeder.  But usually, at some point during the meal, he ends up on one of our laps.  He then tries his darndest to slap his hands in our food.  He is just so eager to eat what we are eating. 

We go for long walks most days of the week.  M loves being outside more than anything.  He also loves when we sing “Once There was a Snowman” and lift him high in the air for the “tall tall tall parts” only to come melting back down.  He giggles and giggles when we do this.  M has discovered that it is fun to throw the sippy cup or fresh food feeder overboard during meal time.  He has also discovered that it is hilarious to pull the wipe that is covering him up during diaper changes off.  He swipes it and brings it up to his mouth with the speed of a viper striking its prey.  He’s quick.  Very quick.  Luckily, mommy also has cat-like reflexes and is able to intercept most wipes.  M adores reading stories.  His favorites are the ones with the least real words and the most animal sounds. 

My favorite moments are when I get him from his crib first thing in the morning. M gives me the biggest grin in the world and always makes the sweetest little most contented sigh when I pick him up. Like he is just so happy that I have come to rescue him. Like there is no where in the world he would rather be than in my arms. I also love when he lays on my chest and tucks his head under my chin. Those are my most treasured moments. I try to savor every second.

As I was looking through all of M’s six month photos I was shocked at how old he looked.  I think it’s because he’s developing more of a neck.  Stop it cutie!  Stay little tiny kay?