Seven

Dear Addi Jane - 

 I can't believe that another month flew by! So many new things have happened this month and I feel like every few days you are learning something new.  Besides the week that you were sick this month, you have been so happy.  You had a few days where you started making the "bababa and mamama" sounds and I got so excited.  But then you went back to your manly grunting sounds, which while they are funny, you sound like this little monster.  Your laugh is mostly this grunting kind of sound too, although occasionally we get this awesome belly laugh and it's the sweetest sound I've ever heard.  You started scrunching up your nose and almost snorting when you get excited.  You do this when someone comes over or when someone comes up to you.  It's really quite funny and really silly sounding.

Right after your six month appointment you got so sick.  One night you woke up two hours after going to bed and you were coughing a lot and really congested.  I went to bed myself and just layed you next to me.  An hour later you woke up coughing again and threw up a lot.  You were really wheezing and we brought you into the bathroom and turned on the shower, hoping the steam would clear things us.  We called the doctor and were started to get scared as you seemed to have a hard time breathing.  Thankfully you feel asleep soon after and I held you the rest of the night, but the next morning you were even worse.  We took you to the doctor and they told us you had bronchitis and rsv.  They gave you a nebulizer treatment and you hated it.  You cried the entire half hour we were there.  It was so sad and I felt terrible for you. 

The next few days were rough.  We had to do nebulizer treatments at home and you couldn't sleep laying down, which meant that your daddy and I held you all day and night.  I was too nervous to have you try to sleep on your own and knew that you were in pain.  You'd cry every time you coughed and your little voice was so hoarse.  We went to the doctor three more times and after a week you were mostly better.  It was definitely the toughest week we've had since you've been born and I was so happy when you were healthy.  It made me so thankful that you've been a healthy and happy baby the majority of your life! I sure hope we don't have to deal with that again for a very long time! 

 This month you started sitting up on your own, although you don't stay there long!  If I'm not behind you, you usually fall over.  You start scooting around a lot, moving in circles and backwards.  You get frustrated when you can't reach a toy and aren't happy too long on your stomach when you're by yourself.  

You are finally turning into a pretty good sleeper!  I thought I would never say that.  After being sick and being held all day and night you did not want to sleep in your crib.  It was hard for me, but we had to let you cry some more and thankfully after three nights you were able to put herself to sleep at bedtime without your pacifier.  After a week or so you were only waking up once to eat and now you're waking up around 4 and will usually go back to sleep until 6:30 or 7.  You often wake up once or twice at other times, but usually put yourself back to sleep in a few minutes.  You sleep in a sleep sack and sleep with your little lamb under your arm.  It is the cutest thing!  You take three naps a day and the first two usually last 45 - 70 minutes and the last one is about 30 minutes.  It took some time to get you back into napping in your crib too.  I haven't held you for naps in weeks because now you fall asleep better in your crib.  I love it but I do really miss holding you! 

This is the second month you've been eating solids and you are finally starting to really eat them and enjoy them.  Somedays you aren't two interested, but most days you eat some oatmeal and fruit in the morning and then some oatmeal and veggies at night.  I've made some different vegetables, like sweet potatoes and peas, and hope to make some more of your food.  We got this little feeder thing that you love, although I don't think much food actually gets in your mouth.  But it keeps you busy while we cook dinner or eat.  

This month you started giving me lots of kisses.  They are slobbery and wet and I love them!  Sometimes while you're sitting in my lap playing or reading books you look back and give me kisses and it makes me so happy.  You've given your daddy a few kisses here and there, but are still pretty stingy with them.  I hope you start giving out lots of hugs and kisses!

Valentine's day was on your seventh month birthday.  We made daddy cupcakes and brought them to his work.  You care way more about the sprinkles bottle than anything else.  It's nice that it distracts you while I bake.  Daddy brought you home a balloon for Valentine's day and you loved playing with it!

At the end of the month we decided to get passes to the YMCA.  There is an indoor pool there and we've already been there twice each week!  You LOVE swimming.  You get so excited watching other kids in the pool and love splashing in the water.  Daddy even took you by himself once and I think this will be a favorite thing for both of you to do together.  He loves spending time alone with you!

You continue to want to gnaw on everything.  Everything goes in your mouth, even other peoples arms, legs, whatever you can get a hold of.  This month you sat up in a grocery shopping cart, although it didn't last too long because you're so squirmy.  We started going to a baby music class on Mondays and you love it.  You don't always cooperate with what we're supposed to do, but you're always happy there.  You love the songs and love interacting with the other babies there.  I love how social you are and love that you like being around other people.  

One of my favorite things is our morning routine.  You wake up anytime between 6:30 and 7 and I usually bring you into bed next to me.  I nurse you and unlike other times during the day, you actually nurse for more than five minutes.  You are extra snuggly and will just look at me, talk and play with my face.  I love it.  Sometimes I turn the tv on and you'll watch a few minutes of cartoons.  I love our slow mornings together and am so thankful we don't have to rush and get going in the mornings. 

This month you are wearing mostly 9 month clothes and I think your legs are starting to catch up with your long torso.  I swear your hair grew overnight and you have this full fuzzy head of hair.  Your eyes are still as big as ever.  Thank and your cheeks are my favorite features of yours.  

I can't get over how fast you are growing.  There are still days that I look at you and can't believe you are my baby.  Sometimes I have a hard time believing that I get to be your mom forever.  Your daddy and I continue to wonder how'd we get so lucky to have such a cute and happy baby girl.   We still thank God for you constantly and I know we always will.  

Addilyn Jane - I love you more than I can ever tell you!
Love, 
your mom