7 months

Dear Sweet Potato,

You are growing so fast that sometimes I can't believe that only a few short months ago you were still in my tummy. You are such a delight and a joy to me on the days when I'm feeling down. It doesn't matter what room of the house I'm in, you'll crawl until you find me. It brightens my heart every time. Exploring the house has become your new favorite pastime. Besides trying to eat Wash.



About the cat. You two are so funny to watch. You chase him. He tries to ignore you. He acts like he dislikes you but will, incomprehensibly, meow and gain your attention. Something shiny will catch your eye and you'll veer off the direct course you were taking towards the cat. He will notice this, seem to think about it, then meow loudly. You then forget about the shiny object and will redirect yourself towards him. It's like watching two boxers circle each other in the ring.




Because of you I was able to celebrate Mother's Day for the first time this year. You and Daddy made it so special for me. I even got macaroni art out of it. That's my favorite kind of art. Daddy was kind enough to label everything for me. You drew the cat, our house, a tree and even an outline of your hand. I love it and keep it on the fridge.



You've begun getting two of your top teeth in. But not the middle two. Oh no. You're getting one middle one and the one on the other side of it. Like a tooth with a sidecar. When Daddy and I first saw it we though "Oh no, please don't let those be her middle two teeth! She'll look like Sloth!" Yes, we called you Sloth from Goonies. But you have to remember we did it with love. Like when we called you Gollum for the first month of your life.

Those new teeth have been put to good use since you're now eating 2 solid food meals a day. Ok, I don't really mean solid. I mean gelatinously paste-y. You love everything I've fed you so far - pears, apples, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes. Everything disappears the second it hits your tongue. Then reappears magically once you stick your whole fist in your mouth.





But the biggest milestones you've hit this month are sitting up and saying words we understand. The other day I went to get you after a nap and there you were, sitting up all by yourself in your crib. You were so nonchalant about it too. You had a look that said "Hey, what's the big deal. Doesn't everyone know how to sit up?" Besides your superpower of sitting up, you've finally begun listening to me when I say "Mama" and "Dada". Except you only say Dada. Over and over and over again. I wish I could have captured it on video but here's the breakdown. I say mumumumum, you say dadadadada, I say mumumumum, you look at me like I'm crazy and scream dadadadada as loud as you can. It's wonderful.



You are wonderful. I am constantly being told by complete strangers what a beautiful, sweet, well-behaved baby you are. And if they could only see you for longer than 30 seconds, they'd know how right they are.



Love, Mama