What Ez Is Up To: 7 Months

This week Ezra turned seven months old. Ah, how times flies (when you're having fun and delirious from sleep deprivation)! This last month has been absolutely lovely. I feel like as parents we transitioned from the cliched clumsy and often confused first time parents to... well something a bit less clumsy and confused. We still don't know what's going on half the time, but at least now we have a sense of humor about it and I think Ez does too.

 What's New:

Solid food!

I am super lucky to have a child who absolutely loves food. This is one aspect of parenting that has been really easy with Ezra. The baby loves to eat and will pretty much chow down on anything you put in front of him. I am using the Baby Bullet to prepare most of his meals and I couldn't be happier with that little gadget. So far we have tried sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, peas, green beans, bananas, pears, and apples. I think the butternut squash might have given him some digestive issues (I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere) so we probably won't be trying that again any time soon.

Preparing his little purees and watching his hilarious reactions to new foods has been so enjoyable! To be able to see real preference in your child's face when so much up to this point has been a guessing game is reinvigorating. Even if it's the worst sour face at least he's communicating with us in a non-crying way. Hey, he hates it! Now we know!

I can't wait to get more adventurous with his meals in the next month. Obviously we're still taking it slow and following his lead, but I'm thrilled to begin to roast certain foods and to play with texture (and maybe a little spice here and there).

 The yelling.

Ah, Ezra's new favorite game. How long can I physically scream at top volume until someone actually loses it? It's a bag of laughs. You should try it at home. How you play is this, out of no where a banchy comes and possesses your favorite little person several times a day. Hey, on the bright side...they never kidnap the loud kid.

Sitting independently.

This is just awesome all around!

Teeth.

Two teeth in two weeks. I think we all lost a little bit of sanity that will never return, but I am so happy after months of "teething" behaviors we finally got some pearly whites popping through.

Two lone bottom teeth = ridiculously cute bulldog smile.

SLEEPING IN THE CRIB!

The greatness of this can't be overstated. The kid is finally sleeping in his crib! This was something that we really struggled with, but I'm so happy we stuck to our guns and did it our way. This is most definitely not a judgement on any parent that has used a more aggressive method. I get it, I really do. Having a baby that isn't a traditionally "good" sleeper is rough.

I struggled so much with what was best for Ezra, what worked for Kellen and me, and all the advice I was getting from family and friends. It was a slow process and our patience was pushed to the limit many days and most nights, but we did it and I can say I have absolutely no regrets about the process.

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This has definitely been a month of big changes for our little guy and he has taken them all like a champ. This little boy has one strong personality and I loves to tell us all about it in new fun and silly ways. His babbling and laughter fill our home and our hearts and make all of our struggles worth it.

This last month has been so great in so many ways that I am unable to find the words to properly describe. Yes, there have been many great milestones reached but there has also been a change in the air. I can't exactly put my finger on when or really how it changed, but there is more ease in parenting this last month. Either it's getting easier, I'm getting better at it or most likely a combination of the two. I feel more confident in my abilities, choices, and general mamahood and that feels really, really nice. 

As Ezra gets older I have noticed that both Kellen and I have been able to be more present. As we move away from the colic and constant physical need the moment feels more accessible. No struggle to get to the next hour or nap time or feeding time. No struggle to remember the last time x,y, or z happened. Less living in the past. Less living in the future. More living in the now.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Be here.

There have also been more showers and sleep. The importance of these things to your sanity can't be overstated.

I can't wait to continue to explore and laugh with this amazing little baby! I mean, have you seen how cute he is? Seriously, it's mental.

Namaste!

Tara