7 Months!!

Another milestone filled month has passed, so its time for Madeline's 7 month update!!

Weight: 14.13 (7th percentile)
Length:  24.25 in (3rd percentile)
Head Circumference:  16.5 in (21st percentile)
Clothes:  3-6 months
Food:  24-28 oz of formula/day, occasional rice cereal/oatmeal


While this past month was quiet for us in terms of travel and activity, we were busy keeping up with Madeline's growth and development.  Since we last posted, Maddy has been rolling from supine to prone (back to front) and also, once or twice, from prone to supine (front to back)!

Tummy time after rolling from her back!

Hi ma!

She is also doing much better with tummy time which has led to very good head control.  I've seen her consistently prop onto her elbows and she can easily clear her chest from the ground.  Will swears she's about to crawl any day now, but I'm not so sure :)  Either way, she's come a long way in what seems like such a short time, and we are in awe of how strong she has been from the start!






Maddy is also so close to sitting independently.  She needs just a little stabilization at her hips or arms to maintain a sitting position.  I bet by the next post we'll have an independent sitter on our hands!!






Fine motor skills are also blossoming.  Maddy is passing her toys from one hand to another.  She consistently reaches for and grabs her toys from a sitting and supported standing position.  She still loves to play in her bumbo, and has discovered a new love, her exersaucer!

Maddy can recognize us from across a room and will smile back if we smile at her or make goofy noises/faces.  She has the sweetest smile and seeing it is the best part of our day!  She's also starting to giggle if we tickle her belly or sides and she LOVES to "coo" at herself as she looks in her toy mirror.

Overall, Maddy seems to be developing somewhere between her actual and adjusted age (but closer to her actual age) in most areas.  At her last check up, the pediatrician was very impressed with her growth and development and says she's right where he expects her to be at 7 months  (4 months adjusted).

Maddy, BC  "before cereal"

After cereal :)

Another exciting milestone is we've been slowly introducing solids.  I mentioned in the last post that she was given the green light at her last doctor visit to start rice cereal.  Well, it took some getting used to, but I do think Miss Madeline loves her solids!  We are getting ready to start the real stuff and sweet potatoes are up first!  Look out for some messy sweet potato face pics coming soon!  For now, enjoy some rice cereal pics!!






We also transitioned Maddy from her rock and play (bassinet) to her own big girl crib a few weeks ago.  Since she was starting to roll, we also stopped swaddling her at night when she moved to the crib.  After a few rough nights where she ended up cuddling with me (oh darn), she has resumed sleeping through the night in her crib, and for that we remain very thankful!

Napping in her crib!

Although we weren't as adventurous this past month as some others, we did manage to do a few fun things! Maddy went to her first Blackhawks scrimmage after cheering daddy to a 5k PR!















She also watched her first Hokie and Patriot football games and I must say, she's the cutest little fan I've ever seen!

Stay tuned next month for another update, including a visit to Boston to meet some of her extended family!

6 Months!!

It has been another busy month for our family and its time for Madeline's 6 month update!  I'm a little late with this because, as Will commented in the last blog, I've returned to work...I figured you'd understand :)

Stats:
Weight:  12.5lbs
Sleep:  ~9PM-7AM
Feeding:  ~5-7oz per bottle
Clothes:  3 months

Developmentally Maddy has had a big month!  She is showing a large improvement in neck/head extension during tummy time.

She also loves to reach for toys while sitting in her Bumbo seat!

She continues to devour her hands and is starting to hold her own teethers.  No teeth yet but we're definitely in the beginning stages of teething so let the fun begin!

In her 6 month doctor appointment, we discovered that she is so close to being on the growth charts for weight (compared to other 6 month olds) and she is on the charts for length and head circumference.  I can't remember her exact numbers, but we're certainly heading in the right direction!!  With any luck, we'll graduate from the high calorie formula she's been drinking in a few weeks!  We were also surprised to have been given the green light to start rice cereal.  Honestly, I think its still a little early so we're not pushing it too much yet, but I can't believe she's starting solid foods...time can go ahead and slow down now!!


This past month, Madeline went on her first plane trip to visit friends and family in Virginia.  We were a little nervous before the flight and kept our fingers crossed that she would have an easy trip.  Turns out she's a natural traveler!  She had no problems on the plane and basically played in Will's lap for the duration of the flight to VA.



While we visited she met lots of new friends and family, all of whom spoiled her with fun new clothes and toys...

She also went swimming....

...met her new friend Jolie and celebrated her future BFF Allie!!









The other exciting milestone this month was Maddy's baptism.  Will did such a good job covering the weekend that I won't comment much except to echo the same appreciation for those who made the day special.  Thank you all :)

See you all next month!