Wes Wild: 7 Months Old

I can't believe you are seven months old, Wes Wild!

You had one REALLY big development in your seventh month - you got a helmet! We've been seeing a specialist since you were two months old, and finally decided this month to go ahead and get a helmet. This was a big adjustment for you and for me! We had to slowly transition you into the helmet - wearing it for a few hours at first and then building up until you wear it everyday, 23 hours a day, with only an hour break in the afternoons to clean it. Weirdly, I cried when you got your glasses, but did not cry when you got your helmet - I think because you just looked SO AMAZINGLY CUTE in it!! :) 

You adjusted to the helmet very well, and I am so glad. At first it was kind of big on your head and twisted a bit to bother your ears. We went in and had it adjusted a bit and it was much better after that. The more your head grew, the more comfy it seemed for you. You don't mind one bit when I put it on you - you just sit still so I can do it. 

We have to clean it every day by spraying it down with rubbing alcohol. It helps keep it from getting stinky from your head sweat. It had affected the kind of clothes I can put you in. Because I don't want to be taking the helmet on and off all day and I don't want your daycare to, either, I now dress you shirts that can stretch over the helmet or unbutton completely like the kimono style onesies. 

Everyone that sees you has to comment on how cute you are. Your helmet is quite the conversation starter! So many people ask about why you have it or tell me about their baby that had a helmet. Little kids LOVE to ask questions about it. I always answer by telling them that your helmet is helping to make your head nice and round. One little girl in Elle's class at school asked me if you were wearing it because you ride a motorcycle. BEST comment ever! :) 

You can't wear your helmet when you're bathing or swimming because it can't get wet so we always take it off for that. Also, if it's a really hot day and we're outside, I will take it off to let you cool down a bit. We got you a special clip on fan for your stroller to help keep you cool in the El Paso heat!

You also had a terrible visit to the emergency room this month. I had noticed you were acting funny with one of your legs when I would pick you up. You were holding it close to your body and whining like it hurt. I went ahead and took you into the emergency room, and they were worried that your leg joint might have an infection in it so they had to run some tests. It was CRAZY hard to get blood out of your little veins. They poked you so many times. It was terrible. I usually do not do well with needles but I was there with you every step of the way. I held you and watched everything they did. I willed them to find a vein that worked. Finally they ended up pricking your heel and squeezing the blood out drop by drop. It was the WORST! You were so hungry but they didn't want you to eat in case you ended up needed a treatment that required an empty stomach. You cried and cried and I walked and bounced you and we were there for so long. It really was a terrible, terrible night. Finally, all of the tests came back negative and we got to go home at 11pm. Wren and Elle were with us and the nurses gave them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and juice because we were there for so long. On the way home, I went through the McDonald's drive thru and we all got midnight snacks.

The next day when you woke up, your little body was covered in tiny red dots. I texted a photo of it to your Aunt Kelli (because she's a nurse), and she said it looked like Fifth or Sixth Disease, a common infection that babies can get. It can also cause joint pain, which is most likely why you were holding your leg funny. I was relieved to know what it was but also hated that I had put you through all of that terribleness the night before for nothing. But I guess better safe than sorry. That was such a terrible experience!!

I started trying out some solid foods with you this month, and it did not go so well. Every time I would feed you a vegetable puree, you would get really really sick a few hours later. (Fruits were fine, though!) Usually, I was feeding it to you for dinner, so a few hours into sleep, you'd wake up projectile vomiting all over your bed. It scared me to death! I'd have to clean you and your bed up, then I'd cover myself in towels and let you sleep on me. You'd puke until there was nothing in your stomach and then you would just dry heave. I felt so bad for you! It took me a few times to figure out the pattern, so I did some internet research and there is a condition where you can be allergic to the proteins in vegetables. I asked your doc about it but he wasn't concerned, just said to stay away from anything that's made you sick before and try other foods. Not going to lie, it kind of scared me away from solid foods for a bit. I decided to try new foods earlier in the day on the weekend days moving forward - that way if you got sick, at least it wasn't during the night when we needed to be sleeping. 

This month it got hot enough to introduce you to some of El Paso's splash pads - our favorite thing to do in the summer months! You love splashing in the water! We also celebrated Mother's Day this month - so happy I get to be your mom and that you joined (and completed!) our family, baby boy! 

Elle Evergreen: 6 & 7 months old

Oh, Elle - You keep me so busy, I'm having to play major catch up with your monthly posts! Here are some highlights from your sixth and seventh months:



You sixth month was pretty momentous because... your crazy hair finally laid down! We weren't sure when this was going to happen - or if it ever was! But somehow, during your sixth month, we just noticed that it was not standing straight up on the back of your head anymore. Haha! You also got your first teeth, the two bottom ones in the front. Which was perfect timing because we started you on solid foods during your sixth month. We started out giving you baby cereal/oatmeal and bananas - and today (at almost 18 months old) bananas are still one of your favorite foods!

We continued our summer of fun during your sixth month, and you went to the Chesterfield County Fair for the first time. (It's the best fair ever, so we were excited to take you.) We also did some adventuring around Richmond and the Outer Banks. You continued to love the warm sunny days and were happiest when we were outside in the sun + playing in the water.

During your fifth month, we transitioned you into your crib, and you continued to sleep so good in it. In the mornings, you would wake up and cry for someone to come get you, and Wren would climb into your crib to play with you until we got there, which you loved.

You were so squishy at this age, with soooo many leg rolls - I just wanted to chew on them! ;) You loved being held all the time and were happiest when someone was walking around with you on their hip.



At seven months, you started sitting up on your own, which is always such a fun stage (but we always put a pillow behind you because sometimes you would fall over with no warning). You started making sounds with your mouth - fart noises + snorting while scrunching up your face.

Football season started during your seventh month, and Daddy made sure you had a Dallas Cowboys shirt to wear for the games. In fact, you had two! With football season came fall and Halloween, too! We visited the pumpkin patch and dressed you up like an Elle-ephant for Halloween, You were THE CUTEST! You didn't even mind your costume and loved walking around the neighborhood on Daddy's hip while Wren trick-or-treated.

We took a family trip to Shenandoah National park during your seventh month, and you went on your first hike! (Strapped to me, of course.) We hiked a bunch that weekend - to waterfalls and lots of pretty spots - and you were so heavy. It was a major workout to go up and down all the mountains with you!

You can really see your torticollis in this seven month photo (above). We continued with our physical therapy to stretch your neck out during this time.

Seven months has always been one of my favorite baby stages, and it was with you, too! You loved playing with us and interacting and learning to use your little body - so fun to watch!