Seven months, my boy.
Let's keep it real here - this past month hasn't been the smoothest! But some months are like that for everybody. It's ok.
Many of the difficulties we've encountered this past month are the direct result of a good, exciting development... you can roll! Front to back, back to side, over and over and round and round. You have places to go! The other day I put you on your back on the rug, left the room for two minutes, and came back to find you off the rug and on the wood floor, sitting straight up and grinning. I have no idea how you pushed yourself up - try as I might, I can't get you to duplicate the action in my presence!
Now, because you are rolling around so much while awake, you continue the action in your sleep and have started waking yourself up. A lot. Kind of feel like we've taken a step backward here with the sleeping. Where you used to wake up only once a night, you're now up and crying at least three times, some nights a lot more. Your daddy and I are tired. Many mornings I know that you're tired too. We're asking Jesus to calm your body and spirit as you rest, so you (and we) can have peaceful sleep.
A few weeks ago, we hosted a neighborhood chili feed for all of our 20's-30's aged neighbors. There were about 25 people at our house and, boy, were we excited to introduce you to everyone! You, however, were not excited to be paraded around. When I brought you downstairs and you saw your house full of people, you burst into tears and refused to be consoled. I tried three different times to walk you around to meet people, and each time, you became hysterical. So Daddy got to play host while I played with you upstairs, quiet and by yourself. We're thinking you just might be an introvert.
This month we also took you to the church nursery for the first time. (After the above experience, I'm not sure why I thought this would be a good idea...) Up until then, we had held you in the back of the room during worship and then Daddy or I go into the hallway during the message, as you can be very noisy! I hoped that at 6 months, you might be ready to play in nursery. Mommy was very wrong and it resulted in a traumatic experience for both of us. The kind lady who held you and tried to calm you came and got me 20 minutes after I dropped you off. You were a sight to behold and after I took you from her I shed a few tears along with you.
I've worked in the nursery before, and I've seen kids who cried because they were just plain angry that their parents were leaving them. I don't think this was the case with you. You weren't mad that I left you. I think you are highly sensitive to your surroundings. You always have been. And the loud nursery and unfamiliar faces felt foreign to you. I think you were scared. I'm so sorry I put you through that.
You won't be visiting the nursery again for a while, and I've realized that is perfectly ok. Every baby is on a different schedule - some do great in the nursery at an early age, but some don't. We will try it again sometime. But for now, Daddy and I are quite content to keep you with us at church.
Daddy ran a 12 mile British forces obstacle-course event called Tough Mudder last weekend. It was in Dallas and we decided to take you down with us. It was a rough weekend for you. You could not get yourself to sleep in a new place and the night before Daddy's race, we all got about 3 hours of sleep. By the time we left to come home, we were absolutely exhausted. Five days later, I think you're still catching up on your rest.
I stumbled upon an article which confirms much I have been surmising about you and all that has happened this month. It helped us understand some of your needs better. I was particularly encouraged by the following which highlights the future good which will likely be born from your super sensitivity:
The acute sensitivity to their environment can become a rewarding asset as a high-need child grows. These children are "tuned in" to what is going on around them. They are not distant children. Their keen awareness stimulates their curiosity, which in turn stimulates learning. They become kids who care. They are bothered by another child's hurts. They develop empathy, a quality that is lacking in many of today's teens and adults. Because these children are so sensitive, they develop great discernment and are able to consider the effects of their behavior on the feelings of others. They are able to achieve one of the ultimate qualities of self-discipline: the ability to think through what they're about to do.
If discernment, empathy and kindness are a result of your high sensitivity, bring it on! We have prayed since day one that God would grow in you a soft and humble heart.
I've written so much already, but I want to touch on just a few more things - you're eating like a champ twice a day. So proud of you for bravely plowing through new foods even when you don't like them at first taste. You're now regularly eating rice and oatmeal cereals, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, avocado (a fave), pears (another fave), apples and prunes. We finally bought a highchair this week after struggling through mealtimes in your bumbo seat. The high back on the chair and the straps have revolutionized meal time - it's actually quick and enjoyable for all of us now!
You continue to melt our hearts with your enormous smile and contagious laugh. You LOVE being surprised (when it's done in fun by someone you trust). You find any form of peekaboo hilarious, especially if we yell the "boo." You're super ticklish on your tummy and sides, and you typically roar with laughter when the tickling begins (see video below).
My precious baby boy, may you know how much you are cherished. As Daddy often says, we love you so.
