Month 7 -- in review

Well, now that Rachael has been 8 months for 11 days -- it's time to review her 7th month! Yes, slacker mom-blogger of the YEAR! :)
In my defense...here are some excuses reasons for the void on the blog: 

1) our camera was in the repair shop after a run-in with one of our favorite two year olds. The camera lost. 

2) the fall semester started for me at work and that means absolute craziness of the college-student type.

3) Rachael got two teeth and this momma lost countless hours of sleep and therefore brain cells fell out of my head at the time.

Alright, enough of that -- just get on with it!

We celebrated her 7th month birthday with a fun evening at the Helm's. Rachael and Samantha enjoyed a wonderful ride in Samantha's two person wagon. The adults enjoyed grilled pizzas and fun conversation. (Pictures of this experience are on Phil's cell phone -- see camera war above)

Other fun times -- we played with Sue, Shane and baby Claire who was showing Rachael what a big girl she is -- pulling up at 6 1/2 months.

I traveled by myself for the first time since R arrived to host cousin Mary's baby shower. It was a great day to celebrate Mary and the pending arrival of baby boy Smith. As of my typing, we're still waiting for baby boy to arrive, but, it will be any day now. While I was gone, Mike and Rachael enjoyed several long walks and she slept pretty well overnight for a tired daddy. I arrived home to a happy baby, a clean house and the laundry washed and folded -- what more could a girl want?????? I'm the luckiest-- I swear!

Also, Mike installed an infant/toddler swing on the playset just for the diva -- she loves it. 

As for developmental milestones -- there were many this month! 

Weight: 13lbs, 2oz.

Her two first teeth appeared on the bottom gum on August 15th.

Began eating stage 2 foods this month. She just adores anything that is delivered via spoon. Pictures below!

On Sept 5th, Rachael was sitting up for the first time on her own for a long period of time. 

She began rocking on all fours...really wanting to crawl and in the meantime, perfecting her army crawl -- it's pretty quick! 

Enough talk -- here are photos:

Up next...the 8th month post, a post about our Labor Day trip to the NC mountains and other fun things!

Hope you are doing well -- thanks for checking in on us!
Lots of love,
Sara