Annie - 7 mos

My my how my little girl is growing!  Steven and I were looking at pictures of her the other day from when she was born... and we are amazed at how much she has changed.  She has gone from a dark-headed hispanic looking baby... to a light haired, light skinned beauty! I'm certain that she is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.  I love her big blue eyes and her chubby cheeks.  She has a smile that could light up the world and she shines it often.  She is such a happy and content baby.  God has graced us far beyond measure!!

When I feed Annie in the rocker - especially when she's on her way down for a nap/bed, for the longest she would wrap her entire little hand around my finger.  As of late, she has been reaching up to play with my hair ... and then she will place her tiny little hand on my cheek... until she falls asleep.  There are moments in motherhood when you feel like your heart could just leap right out of your chest - and this is one of those moments for me. I feel like I could melt.

My other favorite moment - is getting her out of bed.  Typically she will wake up and just talk in her bed for several minutes.  When she's ready to get up, she'll start whining.  When I walk in her room, I always do things in this order:  I'll go to her window, open her curtain and blinds, and then I'll turn off her noise machine, which is at the top of her crib.  Then, I'll peek over her bed and say hello.  As soon as she hears me enter her room she will start looking up towards the top of her crib and the second she spots me she will kick and flail about - and smile the biggest smile I've ever seen.  I. Love. It.

Annie can now sit up on her own!  I still stay close by because sometimes when she gets really excited she tends to throw herself backwards and she hasnt quite figured out what to do yet when that happens.

She has learned how to squeal and make screeching noises - and thinks that they're really fun!  She has become quiet the little "talker" and jabbers all the time.  I love it!  In fact, she has spoken her first word.  The day before Mother's Day she gave me the gift of her first word.  And wouldn't you know.. it was "Dada."   She has been belting it out ever since.  I am in love with her little voice.

She is growing more and more curious about everything around her.  She looks around as if she's taking it all in... and of course She tries to grab everything that she passes by. She is a very "hands on" girl... and has to touch everything.  Granted half of what she touches ends up in her mouth, but she loves to explore.

She is so wiggly and wiggles all over the floor when she plays.  I never know where she'll end up.  She likes her feet and grabs her toes on a frequent basis.  She likes when I play with them and tickle them.  She still hasnt figured out how to roll from her back to her belly, though she tries really hard.

On May 16th we noticed a tiny white speck in her lower gums.... that's right, she's officially teething!  She was a little off key for a couple of days and a bit more whiny than usual.  I was worried that it may be an ear infection or something... but then we found that cute little speck. The little tooth has broken through the gums, though it is still very short and barely visible.   We bought her an amber teething necklace and that has helped a lot!  For those of you not familiar with them - it's a necklace made to be worn, not chewed on.  Amber is a natural stone and the warmth of a baby's skin releases natural oils which contain succinic acid, which works as a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.  So far it seems to be doing a good job - she doesnt complain much at all!

Annie went to the church nursery for her first time two weeks ago.  I was a nervous wreck.  However, she did fantastic!  Church falls within her morning nap time (of course), so I was super nervous as to how she would do.  So far, for two weeks in a row, she has done extremely well.  She plays the entire time she's in there and never even whines.  Can't believe she's old enough to go to the nursery! Ah!

Her daily routine has changed up a bit too.  Here's what the typical day looks like at our house:

• 8am -wake up, eat cereal & milk & play
• 9:30 - 11am - naptime
• 11am - milk only and lots of reading and playing
• 1- 3pm - naptime
• 3pm - eat a veggie & some milk... & on weekdays we go pick up our after school kids.  Then its home for more playtime
• 5pm - eat a fruit &  some milk and down for a nap
• 6pm - wake up and play with daddy 
• 7:15 - bathtime!
• 7:30 - milk and bedtime!
• 10:30pm - "dream feed" for Annie and bedtime for mama (after I pump of course)

I feel like time is flying by, but at the same time I am loving this phase in babyhood.  She is so much fun and I can't keep my hands off of her.  I have to remind myself daily to be careful how I handle this because I may end up spoiling the mess out of this little sweetie.  However, she's mine... so I can do what I want with her, right?! I love that she's sleeping at night and that she takes regular naps!  I'm not nearly as exhausted as I was in the early phases and Im beginning to think that Steven and I may be able to do this again.  

Most of all I'm thankful for the gift of being able to stay home with her.  I cannot imagine not getting to experience every little moment with her as she continues to grow.  Thank you, Steven Alexander, for being such an amazing husband!!