7 Months Old

Happy St Pat's Day- and happy 7 months to Axel!!

 Axel is sitting up quite well on his own. He topples over occasionally, so I still don't put him down on uncarpeted floors without some padding around him, and always away from hard objects (table legs, etc) that he could hit his head on, etc... by and large he's pretty dependable, unless he's reaching for something, etc. 

  He's a 21st century baby- zones in on a smart phone as soon as it's in sight- I can't check my phone with him in my lap or he's touching the screen- he watches it even if it's not on! He's also still a babbler- giggles, screeches and "talking." His favorite sound to say over and over is Bah, but if he's sad (sleepy or hungry) he kinda moans or hums a Mmmm sound and then opens his mouth to an Aah sound, which means he's saying MaMa! Of course, he's not saying my name, just making the sounds that happen to sound like it :) Kellen says he's also said Dada in the same way... it's a race to who he actually calls for first ;) 

Mama Video

  Axel is still a blur of movement (see above?!). He wiggles more and more when I feed him, arms and legs waving and kicking, opens and closes him hands, transfers object from hand to hand, brings his feet to his mouth. He's getting more coordinated with his hands- he's able to get his mesh feeder to his mouth on his own and feed himself. And he definitely has more interest in food these days. If we are eating, then he is watching every bite and will often reach and fuss for some for himself. Still no teeth :) He's eating purees and gums on solid slices or chunks of food in his mesh feeder.

"Got your ear elephant!"

 Axel is a BOUNCING baby boy. He loves jumping in his jumperoo (VIDEO), he loves to bounce in your lap and if you hold him, supporting him in a standing position he'll jump and jump until your arms can't support him anymore! He's still just as happy as ever, healthy and an absolute joy. He enjoys playing by himself- sitting with toys or jumping in his jumperoo. Other times he wants your attention, loves tickles and kisses, peekaboo and singing and just being talked to. He's still a great sleeper, but getting him on a dependable schedule is tricky. Nighttime is typically to bed around 8:30- 9pm and he wakes between 7:30-8am, the naps are trickier- usually naps are 9 or 10am and 1 or 2 pm, but they may last only an hour, or 2+ hours... trying to drop his evening nap, but some days he needs it depending on how the naps go...

We made a drive up to Maryland for my Aunt Jane's memorial service. A sad reason to go, but it is always so good to get to see our family. We stayed with the Bartlemans (my cousins whom I nannied for 10 years ago). The kids are all grown up at 10, 9 and 7- unreal how time has flown by- and continues to fly by! I know the next 10 years will be gone in a flash and I'll be looking at Axel in disbelief, wishing for these baby-days :)

On our road trip from the DC area to home yesterday, Kellen and I stopped for some dinner. We parked the car so I could nurse Axel and Kellen went into the store to get some fried chicken. Axel got distracted once Kellen got back to the car with our food, so his feeding got cut short. Axel sat on my lap in the front seat while we ate and he kept grabbing at my chicken. I finally put some in his mesh feeder and he went to town! We hit the road, and he started fussing, so I gave his his mesh feeder again- this appeased him for a while, but we had to make one more pit stop to finish up his interrupted nursing. A typical 5 hour trip turned into 7 hours with our extra stops along the way- but for the most part he is a very agreeable, albeit needy, passenger :)

A boy and his chicken... on the road...

Axel's Stats:
Height: 28 inches
Weight: 20 lbs (according to our bathroom scale)