Alexander - 7 months

You spent your first night away from us this month. Your Dad and I stayed at a B&B in the King Williams district and you stayed with Nana and Papa. We were pretty worried about leaving you, not for our sake but for theirs! Your sleeping had been pretty horrid lately and I was afraid they would be up every hour with you. Luckily, you slept quite well (at least according to Nana) and so did we! Nana sent us this picture while we were gone...looks like you were just fine without us!

Speaking of teething...you were hit HARD this month. With a total of 5 teeth in a span of 4 weeks it has been rough to say the least. Your sleeping has been hit or miss...some nights you sleep for 11+ hours, others only 1-2 hours at a time. You're a total drool factory. And (the worst symptom in my opinion) is the biting. I thought that we were going to have to switch to exclusively bottle feeding for a few days but after some stern words on my part I think you got the message. Thank goodness!!!

You got to spend some quality time with your Stautzenberger family this month too and this time they didn't have to share you! You loved looking at your Aunt Charlotte's Christmas tree and we even got to soak up some warm sunshine outside at her house. It was the first time you've seen grass!

Shortly after we got home from Texas we decided it was finally time to transition you to your own bed in your own room. We were waking you up every night when we went to bed, and you were waking us up and night with your (sweet) noises and rustling. Not to mention the fact that you were starting to crawl out of your cobed! So we made the switch, cold turkey, no easing into it, and braced for the worst. After almost two months of terrible sleeping and teething and dropping the swaddle and jet leg we figured what the heck. And to our surprise you slept like a CHAMP! You have been sleeping in your own room now for over a week and I think we are ALL much happier and well rested.

Last morning in your cobed

First morning waking up in your crib

I can't believe how much you are growing and changing. You've started crawling (although you're pretty slow still) and you're really starting get into things. If it's at your level we better plan on you pulling it down and putting it in your mouth. Also, right now you love to knock over block towers that we make. You've gotten really noisy too! You love to yell...oh dear! And you say "mamamamama" all day and even though I know you're not calling me it still melts my heart.

This month couldn't pass without a nod to your one true love...the flashlight. What can cure a meltdown in seconds? The flashlight! What can make you squeal with delight? The flashlight! We now keep a flashlight by your changing table and one in my baby bag...just in case. You don't need a pacifier, but I better not get caught without your flashlight. In a pinch, my iPhone light will work, but it's not as ideal for sticking in your mouth! You crazy kid!

Alexander - every day that passes with you is both a challenge and a delight. Seeing you grow and experience the world is one of my greatest joys. It is such a gift to be able to spend my days with you!