Dear Karsten---
We spent your 7 month birthday in Illinois with Kiki and Grandpa, so Mommy is a bit late on writing this letter to you. Your personality is really beginning to take shape. You LOVE people and now recognize friends and family members. Even after not seeing Kiki for 6 weeks you were ecstatic when you saw her at the airport...and I'm pretty confident you stole her heart forever! You smile at just about everyone and are delighted when someone engages you. You are beginning to discover that you have a will and let us know when something isn't going your way. If we take something away from you, usually because you're trying to put it in your mouth, you get angry for about 5 seconds and then can be redirected. Smiling is your favorite thing to do and when you smile your eyes smile too. You are so charming.
You are determined to begin crawling and work at it as often as we'll let you. You are getting stronger and stronger.. soon enough you'll get all of the movements coordinated and be off! We're spending a lot more time in your playroom and you are becoming very interested in playing with your toys and things that aren't your toys. You are very curious and love to feel different textures. When Mommy and Daddy can't watch you closely you have time in your playpen or jumperoo. You still enjoy your jumper, but you don't like to be stuck in one place, so it doesn't last as long as it used to. You're content to watch Baby Einstein in your jumper, but then get bored and want out. You love to sit up and see what's going on, but you can't quite get back to the sitting position from lying down. You are also learning to pull up on things like boxes and your parents!
You are now eating a combination of foods and you love vegetables!!! Mommy had plans to make your food, but she's found that it's so easy to purchase healthy, organic baby food that you like. You're learning how to drink out of a sippy cup and are beginning to enjoy it. You still love your bottle and have one about 4-5 times per day along with your 3 meals. Somedays you want more than normal, somedays less. We just roll with it and try to make eating a positive experience that will continue into the toddler years.
This past month you were really sick for the first time. It was the first time Mommy wasn't able to comfort you and she was devastated. You also took your first trip to Colorado this month and you continue being a great traveler.
You love both Mommy and Daddy, but you have different expectations of both of us. You tend to be more independent when you're just with Mommy because you know that she has things to do, but when Daddy comes home you expect intense interaction and playtime. You love being tossed around, zooming about the house playing jet pilot, and having Daddy's undivided attention. You come to Momma for comfort, quiet, and structure....of course, you and Mommy have lots of adventures together as well. You are great when we run errands are love sitting up in the cart looking around the store.
Little Bug, you are more than Mommy and Daddy ever dreamed of. We knew that we would adore and love the child that God brought to us, but you truly are perfect for our family. Your joy for life is contagious and it's impossible to be in a bad mood around you. We love you so much, forever and ever!
Love,
Mommy (and Daddy)
