Clara is 7 months, meaning she is closer to being 1 year than to being 0. She really seems to be coming out of that infant baby feel and is more of a big baby girl!
She went through a period where she loved to stick her tongue out. It was all the time and especially directed toward Cedric and myself. I wonder a little if she was just thirsty from the small stomach bug that she took a while to shake. Either way it was really cute.
Clara is very interested in toys and her surroundings. She likes to always have something in her hand and she loves grabbing for anything in reach. She has started to show some preferences in toys and loves anything Cedric or I have. She wants to play what Cedric is playing and wants to do what we are doing. I think that is why eating has been going so well lately. She loves to be included in meal time. She likes to eat her Mum-mums and eagerly laps up any food blend I give her. I'm actually avoiding blends with fruit to help keep her interested in veggies. She wasn't that big a fan of the green beans, but they did smell funny . . . We've tried a few small pieces of foods but it is so messy and I really don't have time for that clean up when I'm by myself.
The weather has been nicer and we've loved getting out our beach blanket and sitting in the yard. Clara has a few 6-12 month hats and they all seem to be too small already. She has moved up to 9 month clothes and 12-24 month socks. I know, huge feet! She seems to be taking after the Mason women. I think she has grown so much because this month she didn't sleep very well. I was up 2-3 times a night with feedings, due to sickness, early teething, and poor napping. We've had two great nights this week so I'm hoping she is turning the corner.
Last comment about the grabbing - she has excellent hand-eye coordination. She has been great at it for a while but it really shows now when she drops something in an odd spot, like down her high chair or car seat and can fish around and find it.
Clara loves to try to stand. Some days, when she has been sitting too much she will get very cranky until you help her stand. She's wobbly and can't be trusted to stand on her own, like propped up by the couch. Clara loves to practice in her exersaucer and jumper. She likes the independence and the bouncing. She is a crazy bouncer in the exersaucer now, flinging herself up and down. She really is very strong! We don't have crawling yet but she lunges forward without fuss and can kinda lunge, roll, shift her way to something she wants. I try to give her time on the floor, sometimes it may be too much time. Second baby!
Clara is a very sturdy sitter now. She can sit for a long time without getting tired and prefers to be upright. She doesn't like to lie around so usually she is sitting until she decides to go after something. She can't get herself to sitting yet but we are working on it. I often forget to push her and give her new experiences. Recently it dawned on me that she could sit in a grocery cart rather than be carried. She is getting heavy in the carrier and starting to get uncomfortable if we strap her in for too long. She likes to be a part of the action now.
Last weekend we took Clara to swim for the first time. Cedric and Bob have been going every week to help teach him to swim and we finally found a time that worked for everyone. Clara was quiet, didn't splash much but also didn't complain. I think she was taking it all in.
And here is Clara today at 7 months. Seven. I'm excited to watch her grow and change but I'm going to miss my little baby girl. She really is such a sweet and wonderful baby, I definitely got lucky with my two kids. And I'm worried about baby proofing again. Cedric has little bits EVERYWHERE.
