7 months

Dear Gem Juice,

Well, the past month was rough, baby girl, and its all my fault.  I came down with the flu and you subsequently did too.  You were just SO SICK.  You would just cry, and cry, and cry because your fever and stuffy nose and cough made you so uncomfortable.  I welcomed you into bed with me every night and you warmed the bed quite nicely with your fever and we just rode out the sick together.  It has been over 2 weeks and we are still sporting coughs and drippy noses but thankfully your mood (and mine) has drastically improved.  I've been a mama for over 2 and a half years and you were the sickest baby I've had to care for.  It was heart achingly sad.

You've been to the doctor twice as a result of the flu and you are still a small and mighty 14 lbs.  Recently you've taken to getting up on your knees and I imagine crawling will soon follow.  We started your solids intake a while ago but recently you are really eating lots, with yogurt being your favorite.  For yogurt you reaaaaally open wide for each spoonful. 

Your personality has been coming through strongly lately.  You have always been very happy and easy to smile, and this continues, but recently you've been a tiny bit shy with people other than me and your dad and sister.  If someone says hello to you, you bashfully turn your head away and duck into my shoulder, while giving small side glances at the person with a peek of a smile.  When you play with something you shouldn't be and it is taken away, you CRY SO HARD.  You still YELL! when you want our attention, which is frequently.  We are very nearly always holding you,  but we still try to place you down among your toys a few times a day to foster some independence, and you've been going slightly longer stretches before you yell to be picked up.  You are enamored with Aviva, and she you, and it is my absolute favorite thing to see both your faces light up when you see each other the first time every morning.  Your nighttime sleep is slowly, slowly improving, thankyouverymuch!

While we were sick we were pretty much stuck like glue and now that we're both better I find myself missing you being so close.  You are just this tiny wonder and I love to watch you think things over and inspect your surroundings.  I swear you've got a higher level of understanding happening inside your adorable little head- just a very cognizant tiny person.  I love to admire your sweet, soft cheeks and your perfect rosebud lips and I marvel how your sprightly bright eyes contrast those gentle features.  I am so curious to see how you unfold.  I have a feeling it is going to be very, very, very special.

All my love,

Mama