Eli + Maddie :: 7 Months

Eli & Maddie, 

This was such an exciting month for you two! You both started rolling all over the place, more like an actual mode of transportation. You ditched the sleep suits and transitioned into footed pajamas like a breeze. There were so many firsts, and everything seemed to just happen so fast! We had so much fun this month; from your baby dedication to your first road trip...we are just loving our time as a family of four! You two are laughing ALL the time now! The giggles...oh man, they are the absolute BEST. You still are not playing together, but you are starting to notice each other more and more. We pray daily that you both come to know Jesus at a young age, and that you will love the people around you well. I am constantly amazed at the precious gifts that you both are. While there are definitely days that caring for both of you is just plain hard {just because you outnumber mama}, your Daddy and I can't imagine our lives without either one of you. You bring us so much joy, so much life, and so much love. We love you both so much!

Love,

Mama

E L I J A H      W I N N

Stats :: 16.8 pounds*

Loves :: bouncing, growling at everything and everyone, the wipes package

Dislikes :: the bulb syringe and rectal thermometer {don't blame you, buddy}

Eat :: you were eating so well, until you got sick, sweet boy. on a normal basis, you were eating 6 oz 5 times a day. we also continued baby led weaning, but just stuck with breakfast. we moved away from purees and moved to actual solid {soft} foods. you have loved avocado, sweet potato, apples, carrots, butternut squash, and bananas.

Sleep :: you were the first to transition out of your sleep suit. it was out of necessity, as you started rolling in your suit. the first few naps were a bit rough, but you made the transition fairly well and became an instant tummy sleeper. because of that, you started leaking through your diaper, so we had to make some adjustments with overnight diapers and extra padding. you are still sleeping like a champ through the night {except when you were sick, when you were waking up every 30 minutes to an hour throughout the night}.

Play/Development :: you started rolling over with purpose pretty quickly. you would set your eyes on something and then get to work to make your way to it! while I can't get too excited about your words yet, you definitely are starting to repeat the "mamamamama" sound on a consistent basis. you haven't started crawling yet, but you kick your legs all over the place. you are getting better at sitting up, but still topple over without support. you reach out for everything now.

Unique to You :: buddy, you are our little Tigger :) you bounce ALL. THE. TIME. you don't even have to be in your activity center to bounce. you bounce while we hold you, while we feed you, pretty much anywhere haha. you have started growling all the time too, and it's so funny! you are also {still} our little drool machine. for serious, buddy...you are like a faucet; the front of your onesie and the sleeves of whoever is holding you are constantly sopping wet. we keep looking for teeth, but no sign of them yet. unfortunately, you were the first to get sick, complete with fever and snot. your full mouth kisses have started to become more intentional; you focus your attention on our faces, grasp our face in your hands, and just go for it. and we LOVE it :)

"I can't decide if I am happy or sad"

*buddy has been sick the past week, so his appetite has been negligible. we're just now starting to build back up, so hopefully he'll start packing on the pounds again!

M A D E L I N E      G R A C E

Stats :: 20 pounds

Loves :: when Daddy plays the guitar for you, the music/lights panel you got from Granny

Dislikes :: being tired, being left alone for even a second

Eat :: we also continued baby led weaning, but just stuck with breakfast. we moved away from purees and moved to actual solid {soft} foods. you have loved avocado, sweet potato, apples, carrots, butternut squash, and bananas. you also started holding your own bottle! it's still a work in progress, and there are still many times when you prefer mama and daddy to hold it for you, but you do seem to like doing it yourself.

Sleep :: you transitioned out of your sleep suit about a week after your brother. we expected that you would struggle with the transition, but you made it even easier than your brother! when you are ready for sleep, you are ready for sleep. you rub your eyes and stick your thumb in your mouth, and you are READY. you also decided that you prefer to sleep on your tummy, which is funny, because you still hate to be on your tummy when you're playing. you are still sleeping like a champ through the night, and we are so glad! 

Play/Development :: you have started rolling over both ways a lot more, but you still tend to dislike being on your tummy. you have started playing the "drop my ball on the floor" game and you think it's pretty funny. you haven't started crawling yet, but you kick your legs all over the place. I have also found you with your butt in the air when I go in to get you from your naps :) you are getting better at sitting up, but still topple over without support. you reach out for everything now, and you want everything that mama has, particularly what I'm eating or drinking.

Unique to You :: lady bug, you became very attached to mama this month. you started to realize when I wasn't around, and for a lot of the month, you just wanted to be attached to me. aside from being fussy when I am too far away, you have just been such a sweet and happy girl! you are still spitting up quite a bit, which isn't super fun, but it doesn't seem to bother you one bit. while we can't get too excited about your words yet, you definitely are starting to repeat the "dadadadadada" sound on a consistent basis. and the best thing that came this month? the real snuggles and hugs. you hang on tight and bury your head in our chest, and it's just the BEST :)

"I'll pose, but I will not smile"