Declan: Seven Months

My sweet, smiley boy: you are seven months old! I fall more in love with you every day. You are such a joy to watch, and everyone who interacts with you comments on how happy you seem!

Some fun stats: We have no idea how much you weigh or how tall you are, but you are in 12-month clothes and quickly growing out of them. You can roll to your left side from back to belly but not in any other directions, at least not consistently. You show zero interest in reading books. You LOVE smiling at other people. You're super chatty now, which is just the greatest sound, aside from your laugh!

It's nearly impossible to avoid comparing you to your brother, and at this age he was in a crawling position (but not quite crawling yet), so you aren't quite there but are pretty close. You can scoot around on your belly like nobody's business! Last week's note at daycare said that you like to make your way over to the cubbies to choose a toy for yourself. Such a big boy!

Speaking of daycare, that was the HUGE change this month, and you handled it so well. On April 11, Daddy headed back to work after twelve weeks off with you, and you started daycare. I cried a lot that day--and for a few days after--but you seemed perfectly content with the change. It breaks my heart still that I don't have the same time off with you that I did with Marshall, and I don't think I'll ever reconcile that. But I have to admit that you seem pretty comfortable being around the other babies and all the teachers. I struggle with knowing that you are probably not getting enough sleep (you wake up around 5:30 or 6 and don't get back down for a nap until you're at daycare around 8:30 or 9. That's a long time for you to be awake! And at the end of the day, sometimes you're so tired but can't sleep in the car and end up overtired by the time we get you ready for bed. I'm so sorry.

We've slowly started introducing foods, but you've had a cough for several weeks that is impeding your ability to swallow without gagging and throwing up. But in between those incidents you've eaten applesauce, sweet potato, banana, and peas. We're hoping to ramp things up this month with lots of purees! You're still eating milk like a champ, so I'm not too worried.

Sleep is up and down. In the last week or so you've been going through a rough patch with some separation anxiety, so you sleep best when I'm right there with you, but I can't say I mind too much. :-) We are bummed that you don't sleep through the night, but there are some factors working against you: being in our room (you almost always wake up when we come to bed), having an older brother who occasionally wakes up--and always on the nights you're sleeping well, not to mention the fact that we honestly haven't tried very hard to push you to sleep through. I miss you so much during the day, so if nighttime is my only chance to snuggle, I'll take it.

You absolutely love watching and smiling at your big brother. I look forward to watching your bond grow.

You genuinely seem like a blissful, easygoing baby. When you cry, my heart breaks because it takes a lot to get you truly upset. You always calm down quickly once Daddy or Mommy picks you up, though!

Declan, we are so grateful to have you in our lives. You make our family and our hearts so full. You make us laugh every day, and we are so excited to see more of who you are becoming. Thank you for giving us such joy!

Phrase per Photo

New season, new haircut!

And Declan is enjoying his (semi-)new crib.

Recent new restaurant ventures.

Sleepy cheeks.

We love bath time!

Mommy and Marshall time isn't too frequent, but it's precious.

New gallery wall.

Big boy trying more new foods! (Although we're on a small break for a while because he's all mucus-y and is struggling with solids.)

 DELICIOUS pizza recipe from Smitten Kitchen. We piled arugula on top!

Marshall having a picnic :-)

Brothers <3

Funny sign on campus. Is it real?

Marshall used to LOVE playing with my water bottle, and now Declan has discovered it!

Coffee table picnic with Thai food!

Mama did some shopping--rare nowadays but much needed.

Spending some time enjoying the beautiful weather lately.

Dyeing Easter eggs! Marshall's first time. :-)

Sweet potato is better for painting than eating.

Our new nephew Colby (on the left) and Declan in the same onesies! I told my brother that Haley has some competition for being Declan's twin!

Marshall's first pinata! He was shy at first, but we were excited to see him change his mind and give it a shot!

Walking in the neighborhood in the evenings.

 Play time at Gammie and Grandpa's.

Easter love with my big boy.

And snuggles with my baby boy.

Attempt 1 at a family photo.

A little better.

Starting daycare this month has resulted in several sick days already for our sweet boy. Scout is here to cuddle.

More mama and Marshall time.

He's almost outgrown his 12-month clothes. :-(

And doing some reading already.

Our new breakfast scene--becoming one of my favorite parts of the day.

This weekend we went to the aquarium and ran into some familiar faces!

 I never get tired of these smiles. <3

Marshall has now been to two birthday parties with his own friends from daycare, and I am so proud when I watch him during cake time. You've never seen such focus.

He's also been protecting us from dinosaurs and dragons.

And this sweet little chunk is almost seven months old.

Counting down to meeting these perfect little additions to our extended family.

And that's a little catch-up from around here!