Niall's 7-month update

 

At 7 months, Niall

- weighs 16-17 lbs

- wears 6- and 6-9-month clothing 

- just started daycare in the infant room at Iver's school-- he did great with drop-off (before separation anxiety sets in really is the ideal time to start daycare!) and is adjusting well

- still has gorgeous big eyes (more brown than gray) dimples, and an easy, winning smile and giggle, especially when big brother sings or dances

- drinks exclusively breast milk (breastfed when I'm home, pumped milk when I'm at work where he will drink about 15-18 oz in a 9-10-hour work day) and small sips of water

- is doing great with solids, liking cereal, yogurt, mango, carrots, apple/avocado, peas, and peaches and in various combinations

- still spits up on occasion but has mostly outgrown his reflux

- is in cloth diapers during the day (pocket diapers at school) and size 3 overnight Huggies at night; his flipping over makes diaper changes a bit challenging, but he's pretty happy with them

- likes to be forward facing in the baby carrier or stroller

- loves rolling around (and across) the floor and the crib and scooting around and backwards. He sits confidently independently (with a few topples), and passes objects back and forth with his hands easily.
- loves watching his big brother talk/sing and tolerates much well-meaning but not-so-gentle play and attention from Iver

- sleeps in his crib in our room at night. Whereas, before our recent trip, he was doing really well, going down easily between 7-8pm, waking only 1-2x per night (being fed once), and up around 6 or 6:30, now he's regressed. I think he became conditioned to waking/being nursed or soothed (with a paci) every 3 hours when we were traveling (so hard!) and now is struggling to sleep longer stretches (and jet-lag has still been an issue until the last couple of nights).  He prefers to sleep on his stomach and rolls over soon after he's placed on his back, or at his first sleep cycle transition. His daytime naps (about 3) are less predictable and sometimes as short as 30 min., but does well in the car or stroller (and I will take a nighttime sleeper over a napper any day!). We will be again working on some formal sleep training soon (until travel disrupts things again...). Sigh.