Scarlett Letter #7: 7 months old!

April 24, 2012:

Happy Seven Month Birthday, Scarlett!! 

I cannot believe seven months have passed since I first saw your beautiful, little face. A face that's accumulating more character every single day. A face that only gets sweeter with each ticking second. My sweet girl. 

What you've been eating: 

Lately you've been loving plain yogurt. I just add mashed up banana or some pureed peaches and you gobble it right up! You've also been good with trying new meats and veggies. Newest have been pot roast with celery, carrots and potatoes. And chicken with celery and carrots. All pureed of course. Spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, peas and butternut squash are some of your favorite vegetables. Pears, apples, bananas, mango and peaches are some favorite fruits. You tried some teething cookies but they're still a bit too much for you, you were getting very scared and choking! So Mama found you some new ones today that are just perfect!

 

What you've been busy with:

You have mastered sitting up and playing. You spend anywhere from a half hour to an hour on the floor with your toys. We spread out a sheet (with colorful polka-dots that you love) and sprinkle toys all around. You move from one to another, happy as a clam, giving each a little attention. You love your Fisher Price play kitchen - turning the faucet on and off and putting the spoon, soup pot, milk and carrots in your mouth. You also love your Zany Zoo with its four sides of activities. And you're still going strong in the doorway jumper. I think you're going to be so sad when we have to take that down! You've also been VERY vocal this month - cracking up everyone around you. Squawking and "singing" with that babydoll voice that I can't get enough of. Did I mention you rarely cry? Thank you, love.

When you sleep:

Well, you don't take great naps during the day but you still sleep an average of eleven hours each night. Usually around 8pm - 7am. Your naps are anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. One around 10/10:30am and the other around 2pm.

How you measure up:

At your last appointment, your six month visit on April 3 - you weighed 17.13 oz - and were 27.25" long! You tend to grow out of your clothes a little fast due to your length. Your shirts are short! A lot of times I put dresses or baby-doll tops on you with jeans or leggings - hey, it looks cute!  

Favorite books: 

We always read a little bit everyday. How The Grinch Stole Christmas has been a favorite since you were born (maybe even before) because I always recited it to you. I know most of it by heart and you like when I randomly break into verse while you're on the changing table or any other odd place. Your favorite lines? "Oh, the NOISE, NOISE, NOISE, NOISE!!!" These days you're also loving: Goodnight Moon | Nighty-Night | Bubbles, Bubbles | Eyes and Nose, Fingers and Toes | Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? | Squeak Squeak | Counting Kisses | Yawn. I pick up books here and there when I'm out, I'm a little obsessed. But a few of these faves were bought for a dollar each at Target! Love that dollar section.

 

New places you've been:

We took you to the playground at the beach last week and you had so much fun on the swings!! We walked along the beach and gave you your first real glimpse of the "ocean" - it was the bay - but you were in awe just the same. You smiled while watching the waves roll in. We wanted to play in the sand but it was too windy! 

Other than that you've just been busy being wonderful. Mama and Daddy are so, so happy to have you in our lives. We can't imagine how we got along without you! We love you so much!

"Scarlett June, You're my moon..."

 

memory lane ...

My parents, in preparation for their upcoming renovations, recruited my brother and my husband to clean out their garage. Yesterday was the day to do so. Since I am not mentally able to stick my hand into any cobwebby corner or rifle through a bag of old stuffed animals that may or may not contain mice and/or bug carcasses - I decided to play it safe and watch Misery in the living room with my Grandmother. From time to time I peeked in to see how the ole "toss or keep" was coming along. I was looking forward to the moment when my brother said "Here's the fun stuff!" (meaning our old toys). 

I had a few bags of dolls and stuffed animals that had been tossed up into the attic and left there for 20 years!!! Seems like forever ago. I couldn't wait to see them again. Sure enough, the time came. Here are the few that I decided to keep ... and yep, they've already been through the washer and dryer twice haha. 

This is "Lolly Dolly" ... and no, I didn't name her that! She was in the crib with me from day one. She's in great condition and if I ever have a baby girl she will be passed along.

My old Pound Puppy, Brandon. Yep, I named him after Punky Brewster's beloved pet. This guy looks brand new aside from one weird patch on his back, I may have glued or burned him, can't tell haha. 

Can't tell you where I got this thing but this is Granny Cat. The glasses are ridiculously awesome. Who doesn't love a strange hand puppet?? 

Such a favorite when I was little, Holly Hobbie. She may have first appeared in the crib as well. I am in love with patchwork and her little dress is just too cute. Not sure where her other braid went ... a mystery. I love her though.

Little Christmas Baby Smurf

Okay, quick story... we are standing around (Me, Gregg, my brother and my Mom) just in awe of all the toys and dolls we're finding - and we're remembering their names and having our flashbacks and Gregg finds THIS GUY, holds him up and says, "Gallagher!!" and we all died laughing. He said, "all he needs is a mallet and a watermelon!" ... ugh we were rollin. So funny... so I had to keep him.

Along with these little gems we also found some of my old and beloved books...

 

The Nose Book has seen better days for sure

This was one of my favorites EVER... loved it!

Anyone else remember Sticker Books?? I was obsessed as a kid. Looking through this book cracked me up. If you click on the picture and look at the right page there is a pig dressed up in Star Wars gear named "Ham Solo" ... classic. I miss stickers.

It was so fun looking back on all of these things. My mom came across a box full of our baby blankets and clothing and shoes. Receiving blankets, Christening outfits - the cutest little things. I am a firm believer in tossing junk before it piles up and becomes a chore - but some things should never be thrown away - like the sweetest memories of yesterday. Such a great way to feel like a kid again.

She savored a Tuesday

Today I tied up the last two loose ends associated with my Etsy endeavor. Closed my "for etsy" checking account and handed in the keys to my PO box!! Ahhhhh done and DONE. Feels wonderful! I have deleted bookmarks, shredded paperwork and scratched out passwords. 

"Saw things so much clearer once you were in my rear-view mirror"  - Pearl Jam

After freeing myself I joined my mom in a little trek to the Cracker Barrel store. We like to check it out from time to time to see what's good. Found a few things in there today. Some items to add to my father's birthday gift and a perfectly perfect shadow box to hang on the wall of my soon-to-be newly painted bathroom! (No rush, Gregg, seriously! Just getting a jump on things). OH and I can't forget the Chuckles that I purchased for Gregg and myself. Mmm Chuckles (the little colored, fruity jelly candies) ... they were my very first candy love. 

After our jaunt we headed to T's for lunch. I strayed from my "usuals" of soup and half grilled cheese or an egg white omelet and decided to go for the blueberry pancakes with a tall glass of french vanilla iced decaf. Man, what a delicious choice. The pancakes came out in a stack of three and each was the size of my face so I devoured one and lugged the other two home. I thought it odd to doggie-bag pancakes but apparently, as the waitress informed me, "people do it all the time". 


Full from our delightful dining experience we walked off our lethargy in a couple of North Kingstown consignment shops. I was able to snatch up two beloved childrens books (The Foot Book and Gregory, the Terrible Eater) for under six bucks while my mother found two necklaces she could add to her rotation. Always a pleasure to score some cheap digs that just may have been YOURS one day.


What a lovely day I've had so far ~ hope yours was just as satisfying.