Hannah – 7 Months

Stats

Diaper Size: Size 2 in Huggies
Clothes: 9-month outfits and sleepers.

Hannah has multiple sizes in her drawer right now. Some of her 9-month onesie-rompers fit perfectly fine; others are too snug. She still fits into many of her 6-9 month dresses and has a random 3-6 month Old Navy dress that fits. She’s definitely grown in the past month (mostly length) so it’s about time to pull out the next size, especially for pajamas.

Personality

Hannah is the perfect antidote to a rough day. It’s impossible to not smile when you’re around her. She is a happy, social baby who loves to be around other people. Her teachers adore her and we get frequent comments that she’s “so calm,” “always happy” and “delightful”. She has the most charming little personality and we are totally smitten with her.

Her favorite activities are playing outside, being entertained by L.J. and bath time. She starts laughing and kicking her feet excitedly as soon as we lay her down on the green rug next to the tub – she knows it’s bath time before we even turn on the water!

Poppa re-hung the baby swing on the porch (L.J. got a big kid swing) and Hannah loves it! She’s just now big enough to gentle swing back and forth in it. She still enjoys being outside immensely.

Hannah recognizes her name and will turn to you if you call her. I practiced with other names like “George” and “Fred” just to be certain it was her name and not my voice she was responding to.

Playtime

Hannah loves to play! She can entertain herself on her play blanket for a long time. I like watching her learn how to play with her toys, watching her coordinate her movements to pull a ring off the stacker or topple over the bucket of balls. She can turn herself in a full circle on her play mat to reach different toys, and will fuss in frustration if something rolls out of her reach. She really wants to be mobile!

We got her two toys that stick to her high chair tray, which was a brilliant idea in theory. It took Hannah less than a day to figure out she can yank them off and fling them to the floor for a brilliant crashing effect.

She is a pretty steady sitter now! That’s her latest “big” milestone.

Eating

Still winning with Enfamil Gentlease! Her formula issues seem to really be behind us now. She’s starting to stretch out her feedings. She now goes 3 hours between feedings, up from 2.5 hours, ha.

Phasing out the 10 p.m. feeding was just a tease. Any time we try it she’s up at least once in the middle of the night. It’s easy and quick, so no big deal to continue with it. (L.J. phased it out around 5.5 months)

Her biggest development this month is a reduction in spit-up. Finally!!!! We’re finally able to go decent stretches of time without being within arm’s reach of a burp cloth, and we no longer have to keep a bib on her 24-7. It’s been a huge relief for us, and I’m sure Hannah feels much better, too.

Sister Bear resolved the organic/non-organic dilemma for herself: she prefers the taste/texture of the pricey organic food pouches. Her current favorite is a spinach/pea/pear blend. Outside of pears and bananas, she won’t eat most of the Gerber combos. I’ve tasted most of what she eats and can’t blame her – the organic pouches taste better, sometimes by a long shot.

I’m so glad I looked back at L.J.’s monthly recap because I forgot about one of his favorite things: plain rice cakes. Hannah really likes them, too, and they are cheaper and less messy than teething crackers. She also loves Cheerios!

I gave her well-cooked macaroni and cheese recently and she devoured it. She could pick up and feed herself the pieces and she was so excited and proud. She also had some strawberry Greek yogurt (fruit-on-the-bottom kind so I could mix just a little sweetness in) and she enjoyed that, too.

For food reference:

• I gave her Annie’s farm shapes mac and cheese. The noodles were just slightly bigger than a Cheerio, so she could eat them safely.
• Kroger’s house-brand box of Cheerio’s is surprisingly close in taste/texture and is a wallet-friendly $1.25. That’s a good thing when at least half still don’t reach her mouth!

Sleeping

She either sleeps for a couple long stretches on the weekend or catnaps during the day. Her teachers say she catnaps at school, and she is known for passing out right in the middle of whatever she is doing. I guess she gets kudos for giving it all she’s got?!

Still doesn’t liked to be fussed over at bedtime, though she has started “requesting” a little bit of back patting before she nods off. I’m guessing they probably do this at school…

Milestones/Firsts

First multi-night stretch away from Mommy and Daddy. Poppa and Nana took care of her and L.J. while we were in the Dominican Republic. Everybody did well!

First “real” foods, starting with Cheerios.

Letter to Hannah

Dear Hannah,

My sweet dimpled baby girl! I can’t wait to see you at the end of the day; your big smiles and excited leg kicks make me feel so loved.

You, my dear, are so uniquely you. You have a lot of personality in a small package! You are generally calm and happy. In fact, friends ask in disbelief, “Is she always that calm and quiet?” “Yes,” we say – because you are.

But you are not passive, not by a long shot. You are quiet because you are busy taking everything in. You have lots to learn and explore! And we best not sit you down for a “quiet moment” – because then you are anything but quiet!

You like things to follow an orderly schedule and let us know when it’s time to eat or time for a change. Or more honestly, you set your own orderly schedule and demand that everyone adhere to it. If it’s time to eat, it’s time to eat. Now. On the double.

Playtime is so much fun right now! It’s all new and exciting; I love seeing the wonder in your eyes as you discover new things. Your brother is your favorite playmate. You think he is so funny! He can’t wait until you are big enough to play with him.

Keep being you, Hannah, because you are awesome. I love every inch of you!

Love,
Mommy