Piper Pie 7 months

Oops. I'm three weeks late. With Sienna, I was so good about being on time. About milestones being recorded. With two kiddos, I find myself more in the moment and less focused on when things happen.

 Pipey pies, you are the most interesting, cute little lady. When I think about you at 7 months, I think of your big smile first. You are always smiling. You're grin is infectious. I think about the way you suck down an apple packet in three minutes, but if I take too long to get you a spoon for other food you screech to remind me you're in charge. I think of your smell-your sweet baby smell that I know damn well is fleeting. I know it because your big sister's smell is still "Sienna" but it's laced with mud from playing outside and ketchup from dinner. I think about your soft hair and how it feels when my lips drift across your head before bedtime. I think about how you smile at me in the morning, in your little sleep sack, after you wake up and remind me that you're such a large part of my purpose here. I think about the way you bounce. I pick you up and you do your happy bounce. It's hilariously adorable. I think about how you laugh at Sienna- but how you are also learning to hold your own and you will scream or cry at her if she hits the wrong button. It's this real sister relationship that's happening. You guys are best friends already.

You want to move. You fling yourself forward from sitting up (with quiet good posture I might add) and then land on your tummy and get so mad you can't crawl yet. You'll get there. You are hot and cold with the jumparoo which for some reason makes me laugh. You are jumping like a crazy person then complaining 5 minutes later. You are enamored with the outdoors. When we open the front door or put you in the car seat you get so excited wondering where our adventure will take us. The swing on our playground in the backyard is your favorite. You especially love when Sienna pushes you.

You light up when Daddy gets home from work, but make sure I don't leave. You want us both around and prefer daddy to hold you looking out, so you can see the world.

You are a lover of naps and a hater of overnight sleep. Mama is tired. You are lucky you are cute. It's getting old. And yet, my heart can't take it when you scream and so I go in and ask you what's wrong and sometimes I feel like you snuggle in and are saying, "I just needed you mama"...We've tried sleep training but you protest. One day I'll sleep again.

You kiss me on the face in a big slobbery way. You grab my arms when the water turns on in the bath and startles you. You love me with your hugs and your squeals. When you want me you say this weird noise that sort of sounds like "MMMM-MA!" But not mama. You're my hip attachment from 5pm on. You want to stay close and see what's going on. I love this age because it's the age of real reciprocity. You not only want to be physically comforted by me, but you're interested in what I'm doing. You laugh at things that are actually funny. I love watching you learn. You're going to shatter the world with your curiosity, I just know it...

Happy 7 months to my sweet little peanut. We love you, Piper!