Samara Evangeline: Seven Months Old

Our little buddy has another month in the books!

Jackson Nazir Morgan

Seven months old on 7-18-14

Milestones and Memories

1. Green Beans

As new parents, we were a little spoiled in that Jackson easily and quickly took a bottle from day one. Never fussed--save for the brief period we switched formula in the early days and who knows if that was even stemming from the formula--and would take a bottle like a champ. From anyone. So admittedly, we were not the parents to get him going on other means of nutrition early on. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?)

Well, his pediatrician recently recommended we start introducing other foods. This month wasn't the first month he ever tried food outside of formula, but it was when we decided to regularly start giving him other food. Just a little bit at a time.

It's so funny to see babies' faces when they start eating something other than their formula. All that flavor. Woah. Hey. Too much. What IS this?? After a little adjusting, Jackson is beginning to happily eat the new food, too. He especially likes carrots and green beans, as is evidenced in the picture below. ;-)

2. Getting More Teeth

Jackson has started getting his teeth brushed regularly because he now has FOUR TEETH. Tooth number three and four came in during month seven. Jackson loves getting his teeth brushed because mom and dad's finger inside the little baby toothbrush serves as an EXCELLENT teether.

3. Still Loving Bathtime

I laugh when I think back to Jackson's first bath. He hated it. I was worried as I thought it would be the one thing a baby would love. Luckily mom and dad just had the bath water a little too cold for his liking. We adjusted the water temperature the next time around and he has loved taking baths ever since.

We only put him in his little bath chair out of convenience, rather than necessity, these days. He kicks, splashes and squeals while taking a bath. He is completely relaxed during bath time and it's so much fun for us as parents. The most intriguing part of bath time for Jackson is when the water is draining. He likes to feel the pressure near the drain and pat at it.

4. Getting Sick

Not that this is a great memory, but it's a part of his month, so I thought I'd include it. This was the first time Jackson really got a bad cold. His dad had put this Baby Einstein contraption together and while he was mildly amused with it, his cold kept him from really enjoying it.

This was also the first time we had to take him in to the pediatrician for being sick. When we took him in, we found out he had a double ear infection. I just wanted to take the pain away as it broke my heart to see him suffering so much.

And the worst part about babies getting ear infections is that oftentimes, the ear infections come back.

A couple of weeks later, Jackson got another ear infection in one of his ears. My poor buddy spent that entire Saturday at a birthday party, completely miserable. We didn't know at the time that he was sick as he didn't have a fever and just seemed fussy. We figured it was due to his nap schedule being totally thrown off that day.

We took him in and found out about the ear infection. His pediatrician put him on an antibiotic and he was back to his happy self a couple of days later.

5. First Cousin Birthday Party

It was not the first birthday party Jackson had attended, but it was the first cousin birthday. Jackson attended his cousin Audrey's fourth birthday party. The party was held across the street from our house and had a pink butterfly theme.

The kids played all sorts of games and Jackson was happy and content watching the kids play. I know he can't wait to join in the fun next year!

6. Six Month Checkup

Although technically in the seventh month, due to the six month appointment being made slightly after Jackson's six month mark, I'm including it in this month's memory list!

Jackson loves his pediatrician. He is always so smiley and happy for her. He bats his eyelashes and now can happily roll around the paper they have on the medical examination tables. He loves the way the paper makes sound. Jackson is still middle-of-the-road for height and weight and has a head circumference that is nearly off the charts. The doctor did a double-take when she saw the numbers for his head circumference. So, she checked again. Yep, still has a big noggin'. He definitely has his dad's head. (Though large heads run-on mom's side of the family, too.)

7. Working on Sitting Up

So I know there are a lot of babies out there who probably sat up on their own very early on. Many of those babies do not have head circumferences in the 98th percentile, either. It's hard work holding all that up when you are a baby!

I knew Jackson could sit up on his own without assistance, but he just didn't seem motivated to do it. I'm telling you, I have one of the world's most laid-back babies. I don't like to push anything, but I felt it was time to gently prod my little man into sitting up.

Over the 4th of July weekend, I really worked with him and it was amazing how in just a couple of weeks' time, you would never know he hadn't been sitting up. He is still a little wobbly at this point if he gets too excited, but he is gaining independence so quickly now by being able to sit up on his own.

8. First Fourth of July

Jackson had an event-filled first Fourth of July! We hung around the house earlier in the day and headed to Aunt Margaret's in the afternoon to meet up with the rest of the family.

At Aunt Margaret's, there was a huge spread of delicious food, drinks and fun that awaited us.

I finally got to try out this fun fruit arrangement I'd pinned on Pinterest at least a couple of years ago. Super easy, festive and fun!

Grandma Jody wore a dress that Jackson could not resist. The pattern and fabric--baby heaven!!

The weather that day was absolutely perfect. All the kids were playing with water guns and in the pool. Most of the family sat out in the backyard on my Aunt Margaret's gorgeous deck.

Jackson dipped his toes in the water. This was only his second time standing in a pool.

He loved it!!

After a dip in the pool, he enjoyed a ride atop dad's shoulders.

It was a bonus that dad had so much hair to play with. :)

Jackson was tuckered out a couple of hours before the city fireworks began. We put him in his pajamas and laid him down in my aunt's spare bedroom. I had no idea how he would do since the fireworks were going to be LOUD. My 30 year old baby slept right through the booms of the fireworks! (With the slight aid of one small sound machine we put on, of course.)

Here is the view of the city fireworks from my aunt's backyard.

After the fireworks were over, we woke Jackson up to take him home. I have to say we were lucky parents because as soon as we got home, Jackson went back to bed, right away with zero issues.

9. First 5K

While Jackson was not in the 5K, he did cheer his mom on from the sidelines. Here we are together after the race was over.

I wanted to hug him so badly, but I was also sweaty, gross and had "paint" all over me. It was such a nice treat having my guys on the sidelines to cheer me on!

10. Second Soccer Game (First With Mom)

Jackson, dad and I all headed to our alma mater campus--MSU--to watch Lansing United play. It was an extremely toasty day, so Jackson and I hung out under the shady tree. Jackson was so good--completely calm, happy and watching passersby.

He was so good that we decided to take some pictures.

Lansing United won the title that day. All in all, it was a great family outing!