Baby Love: 7 Months

Everyday is filled with opportunities to find joy but is often blurred by our need to fullfill tasks, chores, and errands that maybe we feel define us as a proper wife or mother.  It is through my unnecessary desire to perfect these womanly responsibilities that I typically and sadly overlook sweet moments that I should be inhaling with ever breath I take and filing it away. Nonetheless, I'm trying to slow down, learning that all will be there when I am done playing. Last week I decided that I was going to overlook the house that had toys and clothes strewn on every floor, piles of laundry that was screaming to be washed, folded and put away, and a kitchen that still showed signs of dinner the night before and breakfast that next morning. Instead of mummuring about all the tasks that faced me that day, I took time to play with my two littles and I was able to add these good times to the database of memories. Kayden finds it quite hysterical to make diaper helmets or sometimes hats depending on the day, for Karter and insists he wear them for more than just a few seconds, or, as long as Karter permits.

 

It was this moment that I was able to truly watch my boys interact. Karter LOVES his big brother and just lights up when he sees him. Kayden spent the last two nights with my sister and when we went to pick him up this afternoon, Karter began to kick and giggle with excitement in my arms when he saw him. The funny thing about that is Kayden didn't say a word, suggest a motion, but stood there and smiled. Kayden would LOVE to wrestle with Karter and be rough with him but sometimes I need to remind him that he is still just a baby and needs to be treated softly but a lot of the time, Karter doesn't seem to mind. It is getting easier as Karter becomes stronger and is now sitting up on his own. It warms my heart to see how much Karter loves the attention he recieves from him. Kayden is so good to share MOST of his toys with his baby and often expresses how much he loves him. There are those special toys, though, that just can't be slobbered on. I can respect that.

There aren't words to describe the love that a mother has for her little ones, the joy we recieve in just sitting and watching them learn. My mom often says, "I'd rather watch a baby learn than to eat or drink.", and she's right.

For me, it's satisfying to see their little hands explore, watch them scratch or rub objects around them, sampling out the many textures life has to offer. Or how they take such care and intense focus to find and grasp on to that object they seek.

How fullfilling it is to watch their gaze on the fascinating events taking place around them as they ignore the camera dispite your silly and embarrassing efforts to get their attention on you. There are just far more exciting things to focus on than to look at a big black box stuck to Mama's face. Yes, there are more superior things to do like, chewing on Sophie in an attempt to help those two little teeth break through or looking around to try and find the sound of a chirping bird, spotting a squirrel that scurried up a tree or seeing the neighborhood children down the street riding thier bycicles with screams and laughter. Or perhaps the many cars passing by as they find their way home at the close of the day and even the the almost night sky that shows the final remenants of the suns rays from that day is much more exciting then granting a picture with eyes focused on the camera.

As frustrating as it is to have the house in disarray, or you're upset because you can't get that ONE picture you want and have in mind, and you feel like chaos finds you no matter where you hide...all good things come to those who wait or are patient. In the end it's not about my house being clean, the children being fed a dinner with all four food groups, or that they are being well-behaved, and order reigns supreme in my house. I shouldn't be frustrated because my baby finds the world around him more pleasing than pleasing me with a cheesy grin for the camera. It's about finding pleasure in being who you are, being content with your life, finding joy in a moment that you choose to slow down; and, at the end of the day, as the sun hides behind the trees, and night falls, you will find that together is enough and you DO get that one picture and maybe perhaps another cute one to follow.

My baby at 7 Months:

You're becoming so fun and interactive with your family. I love how you kick in your small bathtub at bathtime, holding on to the sides making sure you don't fall in and how you get so excited, kicking your legs and waving your arms when you know you will get to nurse. You make the cutest faces, one where you tuck in your bottom lip and suck on it. It's fun to watch you spit and make bubbles, roll around all over the floor, and push yourself backwards. I'll never forget seeing your sweet smile as I walk to your cradle to pick you up in  the mornings and after naps as you smile up at me while letting out a squeel of excitement. You are now learning to get up on your knees and today you pushed up on your toes and gave us a laugh with your mogli stance. It's fun to just sit and cuddle with you, your pacy and blanket (you love it and still settle when it's placed over your face) or snuggle with you while I carry you in the Maya. I often hold you while I rock or sway you to sleep and it is hard for me to put you down!

Baths have become a big part of our lives as it is part of your night time routine. It's helping you sleep better at night, signaling it's okay to calm down, relax, and you really have learned that it's time to settle into your night. You didn't start out liking them at all, and spent only 2 minutes before throwing a fit. Slowly, as long as you aren't too tired, you will play for about 10 minutes

 One of those nights that bath time didn't last long!.