7 Months

You learned how to hold your own sippy cup. Drinking from it still is kind of a new concept for you. You prefer to chew on the nub and gargle with the water. It's hilarious. 

New Year's Eve was perfect for me. I woke you up, by accident, ten minutes before Midnight. You were calm, sleepy and content to lay in my arms, playing with my face. I counted down to 2012 with you while Allen played cards upstairs with my parents. Then I gave you a kiss, fed you a bit of your bottle, and you fell right back to sleep. 

You were also fed chip-dip. I was so damn furious. I am sick of a few certain people thinking it's funny to feed you junk food and sugar. You were fed pop. You were fed chip-dip. All behind my back, without my permission. These people are ignorant and they don't get it, so they are not allowed to hold you/feed you. It's not safe, it's not healthy and I do not want you to be fed sugar and salt in such high concentrates. Gross. If I don't eat that shit, why would I feed it to you? ARGH! I still get so mad. But letting it go. All I can do is limit their contact with you. 

We bought you your first playpen. We had stayed at a hotel a few days before and usually, you sleep in the drawer but on the last trip, your feet were hanging out. Mommy Fail. So we went to get you a playpen. I looked at all the stores in Saskatoon and finally found a clean, basic black one. I hate the ones with animals, polka dots, etc. Just modern and simple, please. You love it. You play in it, you nap in it upstairs, you are learning to pull yourself up on it. 

You've learned to blow "raspberries". So cute.

On the 9th, we went to Patuanak. Your Great-Grandpa (your Dad's Mom's Dad) passed away. We managed to hit the ditch (your first time). Then we were at the wake and you heard the Dene Elders start to sing the hymns in Dene. It's quite beautiful, but haunting. Mournful. Well, your dad had to bring you right to me. You had huge crocodile tears in your eyes. You were sad. My sensitive little baby. I love you. 

I had already started you on veggies, so we continued with fruits. You are like a little bird, with fruits. Lurve 'em. Open your mouth so wide, growl at me when I don't feed you fast enough.  

I took you to meet your Grandma Coleen and your Grandpa Don. They are two very special people in my life - they were my anchor for a time, a home to run to when I was needing it - and you charmed them, completely. Grandma Colleen especially. She can't wait to see you again. I can't wait to bring you. There are very few people in Saskatoon I'm willing to take you to, since we're always so go-go-go when we are there. But for them, of course. Always. Anytime. You are going to be so loved by them. 

We tried to feed you rice cracker. You're not teething yet but you like to chew on things to massage your gums. But you think the Rice Crackers are toys. You love to bang them around. The few times you've had a bite of them, you've actually shuddered. 

You have tummy time almost everyday in the living room. You can wiggle a lot and hold yourself up on your arms, but you haven't got the hang of crawling just yet. Which is fine. I love the weight of you on my hip, the feel of your hands holding onto my tank strap or feeling my face as we wander around the house. 

Your daddy and I left you alone for a night with your Mama Campbell. I missed you so damn much. I had to go to Saskatoon for work for the night, and me and your Dad hadn't been out together in 7 months or so (coincidence?) so Mama babysat while we went. Then I cruised back so I could be home for your bath. I bought you owl stuff, of course. It was the third time I had ever left you overnight. It was stressful. When will I stop counting my nights away? 

We bought you a sleigh, finally. We went through your first cold snap of Winter (it got to -37 with windchill) but after that, we bought you a cute little red sleigh. It has a seat, a seat belt, a handle. We took you for your first sleigh ride. You were actually kind of unimpressed with it, like it was something you did all the time. I was way more excited about it. 

You have about 10+ stuffed owls. You will get more, I'm sure. I can't help it. I know this trend will end. 

I made pact to stop buying you clothes until March. It's been going real good. Haven't bought you anything yet (only clothing with owls is allowed). Your Mama, on the other hand, is still buying you clothes. I think she has a problem. 

I kiss you everyday, every time I hold you in my arms. You will, one day, push me away and mean it, and you will break my heart. So I will just kiss you more. I love you.