Happy 7 monthday Brooks!

Happy 7 Month Birthday Brooks-baby.

Funny that I typed Brooks-baby. That is what Eric calls him most often. I seem to have taken to calling him B-boy or pickles. Brooks is a very difficult name to get a nickname from. We occasionally catch ourselves saying Brooksy, but HATE that and don't want to get in the habit of calling him that unless we are singing or something, so we are trying out different things. The ones I have mentioned seem to be sticking the most. Any suggestions for a good nickname?

So Pickles- at 7 months you are the most amazing, fun, curious little boy. You show your emotion more and more- we know when you are angry if we take something away, you crack up at things (especially the dog), and you make us feel so loved by greeting us with smiles every time you see us.

At 7 months old- Brooks
* rolls from back to belly now
* is much more expressive of emotion- smiles a lot more, belly laughing, anger if we take something away from him
* wants everything we have- the laptop, cell phone, house phone, etc ALL are more desirable than his toys
* imitates sounds and strings them together (he says a lot of mamamama, bababa type stuff, but not Mama as a word)
* LOVES the dog. Grabs her, squeals for her, laughs at her, lunges for her, watches her.
* responds to his name sometimes (he has to be in the mood)
*can somehow scooch his body forward if he wants something badly enough- but he has to really be focused and intent on getting it
* is ticklish on his feet, armpits, and the back of his neck
* Eats rice cereal, oatmeal, mum mums, apple sauce, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and sort of peas (not a fan)
* Is sleeping much better- getting up to eat only once around 4-5, and occasionally waking up one other time in the night.
* Naps like a champ.
* Is involved in multiple playgroups
* Squeals and shrieks like an adorable loon
* sits very well on his own
* lunges from sitting into tummy position (instead of collapsing like a clam, he gets himself on the ground)
* is just beginning to push up with his arms to lift his body off the floor (so his weight is on his hands, not just his elbows)
* gives us kisses
* Loves the book Goodnight Moon and anticipates different parts, squealing, smiling, and reaching for the book
* Loves to say "hey" to his Daddy when he comes home from work (Eric say hey, B says eh- back and forth continuously)
* Has fallen in LOVE with seeing himself in the mirror
* Reaches for us with both hands when he wants to be picked up

Stats: 7 Month stats will be coming shortly- we go to the Dr. early this week for his 2nd round of the flu shots so he will get weighed and measured then.

Pictures:
7 month photo shoot :) This month the photo shoot was an entirely different experience. Fortunately the 17th was a Sunday so Eric was around to help out for the chair pictures. If not, it would have been too dangerous to do, this kid is very fidgity.

Here are some fun shots we got along the way

This is B's new picture face


A series of shots that show why it was necessary for Eric to help me this month (yes mom- he is wearing his rain jacket)




This is his natural hair- I don't spike it, that's just how it goes


and- distracted by the monkey and the dog all at once


Monkey shots are much more difficult because of his love of toes and his ability to roll :)





And of course- our official monthly pics
With the monkey. (it is very tough to get a pic of him stretched out)




With the chair (this is the new pic on the side of the blog!)