7 months old
Smiling,
standing,
stealing my heart every day.
Here’s what’s going on this month:
-Moving and shaking! Oliv has been crawling for a few weeks, but decided she’s over it and wants to walk. She’ll try to pull herself up on anything (thankful for our sturdy coffee table/ottoman thing and mounting furniture to the walls), and will grunt for someone to hold her up as she “walks.” She’s still extremely noodly and needs a lot of help, but I love her giant gummy smile as she’s doing it, like “Look at me! Do you see this?!”
Since she’s more mobile, I’m always an arm’s distance away to keep her from face-planting or toppling sideways. It’s more challenging to do things like cook dinner or take a shower -she’ll still sit in her babysitter balance but I can tell those days are short-lived- and from what I can tell, it just gets more interesting from here. She wants to do more and explore, which is a lot of fun.
-She has two teeth (the bottom two) and I have a feeling more are on the way! She loves to stick her tongue out now and feel her new chompers.
-We missed the boat on getting her ears pierced, and I’m kind of glad. She likes to pull on her ear as a comfort thing as she falls asleep, and would be tugging on her earrings for sure, especially since she likes to pull on mine. It’s a tradition in our family to get baby girls’ ears pierced at an early age, and while I think it looks absolutely adorable, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The thought of making her cry broke my heart, and I figured I’d just wait until she’s old enough to want to do it, and old enough to understand that it burns, but is over quickly.
-Tom and I agree on about 99% of things when it comes to parenting. We definitely agreed on the type of birth we’d like to have (I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him, and despite his busy flying schedule, he came to all of the Bradley classes with me), the circumcision thing was a big discussion without a final conclusion (when we thought Liv was a boy), the cloth diapers was a small one (he wasn’t exactly on board until he saw how easy it is. Even so, I still don’t cloth diaper all the time), and a recent one: the lovey in the crib.
It’s fairly common for babies to sleep with a small blanket or cloth doll as a “lovey” or something to soothe them as they sleep. We were at a toy store with Liv, and she saw this doll, and reached her arms out for it:
I had never seen her do that with a toy in a store, and thought it was so cute that I had to get it for her.
There are no choking hazards (no beady eyes or plastic hair), and she can pull herself up and crawl (obviously strong neck control), so I thought it would be fine for her her sleep with it. When she woke up in the morning, I would see her swinging her dolly around and babbling to her.. her little friend.
Tom read an article on BabyCenter about blankets and toys being choking hazards, so no more Dolly in the crib. I understand where he’s coming from, since I know that a baby’s crib is supposed to have a fitted sheet only, mesh bumpers and that’s it, but had also read that babies like to sleep with something for comfort. It’s confusing when there’s contradictory information out there: BabyCenter in the US said absolutely not, and the UK BabyCenter said to give the baby a lovey when he/she is 4 months old or so.
Dolly is still out of the crib, and our middle ground is trying to find a crib soother that Liv can play with in the morning. The bummer is that I can’t find any that are as cool as the one I had when I was little, and some are ridiculously expensive ($100 for a crib toy? Um, no.). If you have any that your baby loved, please let me know!
-We had our first traveling day and plane ride together this past week. Even though my husband is a pilot, flying gives me major anxiety. I got over it a little bit when we were living on opposite sides of the country while I finished school -we’d fly to see each other every couple of weeks- but even when he’s on the plane with me, I white-knuckle the arm rest during takeoff and landing, and am always asking him “what’s that noise?! What’s happening now?”
Since he wasn’t with us, I had to be brave for Liv’s sake. Even when we were stuck on the plane for two hours -I would have had a panic attack by myself- I stayed calm for her, we played little games, read books and talked with the other passengers, and I was thankful.
Not only for having a mellow baby who seems to go with the flow with a smile on her face, but just for having her in my life. I’m grateful for her everyday, and just hope I can be as good for her as she’s been for me <3
Likes:
-Avocado, banana, pureed chicken soup, sweet potato and Little Ducks apple banana snacks
-“I’m Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee”, “Patty Cake”, “ABCs” and “Baby Beluga”
-Dogs (she smiles and pants every time she sees one)
-Swinging
-Kicking her feet and splashing in the bathtub or pool
-Getting her hair brushed
Dislikes:
-A wet diaper
-Getting her nose cleaned
-This toy:
I think: cool!!!
Liv thinks: creeeeeeeepy.
More monthly updates:
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oh my how she has grown!!! I love the Lovey – and shhh, I’d probably give it to her too. And I’m with Livi – those things are creepy.
I’m with Liv on that toy- CREEPY!
She’s just the cutest baby! Love her sticking out her tongue 🙂
Sad news..I JUST read an article saying the whale that inspired the Baby Beluga song died after 46 years. 🙁
nooooooo 🙁
It really is mind-blowing how fast they grow. The almost 3 year old I babysit just got her first pre-school uniform and I thought my heart was going to explode when she put it on. Still remember meeting her at 3 days old.
Liv looks adorable and happpy, good job parental units!
Much love!
She is so beautiful! Oh, it almost makes me ache–she’s that cute!
I’m the same nervous wreck on a plane. I swear, if I had to fly once a week, I would have buns of steel from all the clenching I do during take off and landing. 🙂
hahaha seriously!!!
So smiley! We have an Angel Dear brand lovey for logan in the crib. It’s easy for him to grasp and not thick like a stuffed animal. I think that little animal you have is ok. But I also have thicker bumpers. a cutie for sure!
My mom had a traumatic ear piercing experience as a child and let me decide when I wanted them (I was 16). It was no big deal and I am glad she let me pick when I wanted them.
We let Emmalyne have a lovie and blanket in her crib when we realized how soothing it was for her (around wish months). So I am no help on that one haha. She’s 10 months now and sleeps with an Aden and Anais blanket and her lovey every night.
I can’t believe how big she’s getting! They grow up SO fast … we just started planning Emmalyne’s 1-year birthday … EEK!
It’s so much fun to watch her grow up on your blog! When they start speaking is a really fun time – they go through this crazy phase of language acquisition where they literally can spout 10 or 20 new words a day, some of which you have no idea where they heard it!
I think that the years of 5-21 ish are getting to be alarming. Miss J was telling me about a song she ‘totally loves, Oh My God, this is such a cool song’ and I asked her who the singer was. ‘Helloooooo?’ (rolls eyes) ‘have’nt you heard of Justin Bieber?’ I think I’m now moving slowly into the slightly uncool category, along with everyone that isn’t Lady Gaga.
What a cutie!!! Time sure flies!
I think your lovey is fine. But everyone has to do what they feel comfortable with. Eli sleeps with a blankie and a glow worm which he plays with in the morning. He won’t sleep without a blanket!
She is so incredibly darling. I think she is going to be quite the knockout when she gets older…
As far as flying is concerned, I used to be an awful wreck and hated every moment of it. Now, I am not sure if I am just used to it (I’ve been doing a lot of travel lately) or if I have just gotten really good at distracting myself, but I am not nearly as freaked out. Even if we hit crazy turbulence, I have managed to keep my cool and not scream “we’re gonna die”, like the lady next to me did back in March….
Oh, I hate flying. I read the paragraph about you flying out loud to my husband, and he said, “Sounds familiar.” I was an enlisted flyer for a while, and eventually got medically disqualified because of air sickness. I just hate flying. But I endure it, because it gets me to the places I want to go. But I practically hug the ground every time we land.
And creepy doll. Seriously.
Oh my goodness we saw that toy at Babies R Us this past weekend and I was equal parts amazed and horrified by it at the same time. The mouth on those things is out of control. It is so freaky and weird but don’t you know that those are ALWAYS the toys that kids gravitate to the most (i.e. Teletubbies). I can’t believe you posted about this, my DH and I were playing with that toy for 15 min and I think he seriously thought about buying it since it was half price (gee I wonder why!) but I refused. Ha! Love it!
I think I’m with Liv on this one. That toy’s a little creepy. lol
Me too!
Oh my goodness I hate those toys! Every single kid I have nannied/babysat has had at least one of those – Jesse’s four nieces had one EACH!
They are sooo annoying, hahaha. At least Livi’s cuteness more than makes up for it for you – she’s such a happy baby!
I sing my daughter Baby Beluga all the time! One of my favorites from when I was little.
She is just GORGEOUS, Gina! Wow!! Does she use a pacifier? Wubbanubs are amazing. Maya had her giraffe Wubbanub from age 0-12 mths and we took it away at the year mark (no tears, she forgot all about it?) but she used to LOVE to hold her giraffe and pick at his “fur” … best invention ever!!!
thank you! she is amazing
no, she hates the paci but sucks her thumb. the good news is that she can soothe herself anytime but the bad news is you can take a paci away, not a thumb 😉 i’ve heard great things about the wubbanubs though!
LOL. That is true! Good luck finding a lovey you can both approve of!!
On that note, what about a small beanie baby? Our pedi, told us a lovey was fine once she could sit up. Good luck.
She is absolutely beautiful, Gina! How awesome that she is starting to pull herself up. 🙂 I’m with you on flying — take off is the worst part for me. And coming into the valley (or Chicago, for that matter) because it can get so windy. Turbulence and me are not friends!
I don’t know where the time has gone?! It feels like just yesterday you gave birth and 7 mos have passed! And she is more darling by the day. The smile and just sheer joy on her little face in these pics is so fab 🙂
Oh.my.gosh. That child is gorgeous
Definitely agree with the seven month old – that toy is definitely creepy!
so beautiful! she looks just like you 🙂 I’m so happy to hear how much your heart grows each day that you have her! cannot wait for that feeling someday with my own.
She has grown so much! She is a stunning baby.
Haha, I have to go with Livi on this one, creepy! When I nannied, I found some of the shows super creepy! Like the gabba gabba show. So odd.
To be fair, I don’t like that toy either!
She has grown so much! What a beautiful thing!
Wow she’s insanely pretty. Like she’s not just “baby cute” she’s like… Super pretty.
Lmao my sister and I saw that toy at target a few weeks ago and couldn’t pass them up! I think they are hilarious but I can see how they may be a little creepy.
thank you <3 i could stare at her little face all day
haha and i think the toys are hilarious too!
Olivia has the most beautiful eyes! She really wears her heart on a sleeve, doesn’t she?
she definitely does! i love how expressive she is
What a sweet, beautiful little lady! Interesting about the crib lovey. I hope you update us on that, I’m curious to see what you end up doing!
Just my opinion, but I think one stuffed toy at her age is not a big deal. Mine is 11 months old and has blankets and some stuffed animals for lovies in his crib. Gives him something to do when I dont want to jump out of bed at 6:00 am! When they are so mobile I think SIDS risk is decreased. Just my small, inexperienced mom opinion. Shes gets cuter and cuter! Congrats!
thank you!
and i’m glad to hear you say that- i think the same thing. trying to convince the hub :/
and amen to that! she’s happy playing in there until i wake up, if she has something to play with. 6:30 is my limit- i have a tough time getting up before them
Everyone I know who used a crib and didn’t cosleep got the ok for things in the crib once their kids could move. Call her ped and ask b/c honestly who’s going to argue with a doctor that says a doll in the crib is ok?
My 5 month old has a small monkey lovey blanket that he LOVES. He had been napping in his crib. When I decided it was time to put him in there at night too, I wanted him to have something for comfort. After hesitating, I gave him the monkey. I would check on him constantly and he was fine. Then all of a sudden I look and he’s on his back, arms above head, lovey covering his whole face!! Like a mad woman I burst in there and jerked that thing off of him. He was fine. It was very breathable. I, however, was not fine. So I took the monkey blanket away for sleeping. He now has a couple of little bears in his crib. There’s no choking hazards anywhere on them and if he puts them on his face they fall off. I’m ok with them. It comforts him and gives him something to look for when he wakes up. I think Liv would be fine with a toy in her crib at this point.
I love the pic of Livi with her tongue sticking out!!
Very beautiful pics of Liv. I bet she will love looking back and reading these posts when she is bigger!
I read all of this! I’ll admit I don’t usually since I’m not anywhere near having a child, but I love hearing about her. She’s beautiful with those big eyes!
Haha- one of m friends has that toy for her son! We all think it’s kind of creepy, but hilarious at the same time 🙂
Livi’s getting more beautiful every month!
I was the same way with my daughter on the ear piercing . My sister had all 3 of her girls pierced arounds 6 months. I wait until Molly was 2 and half that was the worst age! Not quite old enogh to understand and the cartridge brike on her first ear so we had to go through it 3 pierces!
HAHA! She hates the thing a ma jig!!! I wonder if my baby will be creeped out by it also? My daughter is only 3.5 weeks old so maybe I’ll hold out on that toy for now!
I’m having the same debate with myself about a lovey for my almost 8 month old. I definitely think it would help soothe him. So I’m thinking about getting one of the Aden and Anais loveys. Since they are 100% cotton, I’ve read they are breathable, so even if the baby pulls it over their face it’s not a risk.
She is so beautiful! I didn’t know about the bumpers at the time, so my son has had a regular bumper since 3 months old when he started in his crib. That being said, he’s also slept with at least his little lovey/blanket since about 6 months old (at times he’s had a regular blanket and now has another teddy bear in there). He sometimes sleeps with his lovey over his face because he just loves the feel and smell of it. I was worried for about 2 nights/naps, but I realized he had enough control to move something if he couldn’t breathe! She’ll be fine- she’s definitely old enough- and 7 am has always been my earliest with him!
That doll looks harmless but maybe you can compromise on a crib-mounted toy for now.
My daughter had a bad piercing experience at age 5 and now is 12 and still hasn’t wanted her ears re-pierced. I’m glad for it. One less thing to buy and maybe she’ll decide to skip the whole piercing/tat/mutilation trend entirely as an adult.
I love the pics of your daughter! She is so precious. Did you know a pediatrician can pierce children’s ears? My dad is a pediatrician and he has the kit and would do it for parents who didn’t want to go to a Claire or another place. ( I am thinking of having my dad pierce my children’s ears once I have children.) On that note, I’m glad my parents had my ears pierced as a baby. If I had to go through the experience as an adult, I would totally chicken out.
Yep, it’s true the inspiration of the song has died. So sad. It was one of my favorite songs growing up. I would sing non-stop. http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/article/0,,20619696,00.html
I have a question for you…we also have a mesh bumper on our little ones crib and I see that yours also bunches down while attached. My daughter will pull on it and it will slide and bunch down but it makes menervous when it does that, I don’t want her outing her face in it! Do you get nervous too? As for the toy in the crib, we started putting her big Sophie in there (the big one, not the hard small one) and she looooooves having it to play with in the morning. I don’t know how safe it is, but it seems safer to me than something stuffed????
Stupid phone…..that should say that her bumper makes me nervous because I don’t want her putting her face in it when it bunches and slides down!
I was really worried about putting any toys in the crib as well but I knew my baby girl needed a lovie to help soothe her to sleep. She is 5 months old and as soon as I saw how strong her neck was and how she was able to roll, we felt it was safe enough to give her a toy. She does not take a pacifier but she LOVES her wubbanub. We put her down and she immediately reaches for it and cuddles with it while sleeping. It’s small enough that I don’t see a smothering risk. She will occasionally chew on the pacifier but doesn’t actually use it.
I think people get a little too worried about having nothing in the crib. Pediatricians even say you shouldn’t have the breathable bumpers in there.
That toy scares me and I’m WAY older than Liv! 😉 It kind of reminds me of a clown, which some kids and even adults (like my husband) find creepy and scary.
She is just so adorable and has the sweetest smile!
My goodness, Olivia looks like she hit a growth spurt this month! Love how expressive she is in her photos…my fave is with her tongue sticking out. Precious, precious girl. 🙂
where do you get the onesies with the month of how old she is?
they’re just plain white onesies and i bought the stickers on amazon
I cannot believe that she’s already 7 months! She keeps getting cuter and cuter. 🙂
Your daughter is so beautiful. 🙂 and I agree with Liv. The toy is creepy.
Your daughter is adorable!! Also, it’s super adorable that your husband is reading baby sites. That is too cute.
I believe it is perfectly okay to have your dd’s ears pierced at this age. Don’t think you’ve missed the window of opportunity. I waited too and asked our ped at 8 mos. She said to go ahead and doing it under a year was best when mommy could care for them. Little girls who wait till 3-4 often want them seeing other girls with earrings, but fail to care for them properly.
It is perfectly normal to be a little nervous about having your dd’s ears pierced. I went back and forth
too and could decide to do it or wait. Dh asked how she’d look so one day I held a little pair of my gold studs up to her ears in front of the mirror and she smiled! I took that as a sign she wanted earrings! Our ped says if they cry, it is because of being restrained or the noise of the piercing instrument, not the discomfort.
Sounds like you still think babies and little girls are adorable with little earrings, so follow your heart and intuition by going ahead and doing it now. You won’t be unhappy and she’ll look precious with little gold studs or CZ’s in each ear.
If you would like my ped’s tips, then write me an e-mail and I’ll send them to you. They made it easy for both of us.
Amy
amyswor@hotmail.com
your baby is very smart….creepy toy!