Seven.

Could it be? I've been a mommy now for seven whole months? In many ways all that was before is a blur, but again, that could be the general lack of sleep! My sleep, that is. Shepard is actually sleeping quite well. Until this week. He's apparently learned the art of rolling over in his sleep. When he inevitably awakens doing push-ups, he seems confused and a bit angry. :) Nothing a quick pacifier and roll over doesn't fix, though. I know, I know, I'm supposed to let him wail and wail until he figures it out. Ugh. He's such a good sleeper and can put himself back to sleep sometimes, I'd really rather not just watch the agony. So there.
In the past five days, he has really discovered syllabication! No, it's not "new math." He started turning his coos and ooohs into babababababababab dadadadadadada wawawawawawa...Um. You get it. Very fun. He really studies your mouth when you are talking and seems to be trying to say what you're saying. Naturally, I've been practicing the ma ma ma ma bit. I hear they usually go with Da Da Da first as it's easier. Oh well. He's just getting the hang of using all that equipment he came with. It's very fun to watch. Hopefully I can sneak up on him soon while he's practicing and capture some syllables on video.
So often, I look at him and see a big boy. Like this moment at breakfast the other day...

(thanks, Aunt Linda for the super-cute monkey clothes!) He was actually not going to eat the jacket for breakfast, but sometimes I give him something to occupy him for a few minutes while I prep food for him. If I don't, he goes to reaching everything that's reachable.

His balance is greatly improved, and he is sitting up without too many tumbles now. He's also started passing objects from hand to hand while sitting, so apparently that's a wee milestone too. He still tastes everything. I'm betting that that just isn't going away anytime soon. I'm hoping he draws the line at anything alive going into his mouth. ***fingers crossed****

Speaking of fingers and hands...
What a sweet shot of Shepard's and Daddy's hands together. Saturday morning snuggles are the best!

So, happy seven months to my little alarm clock. Love you, sweet boy!