Seven Months (4/23) and Mother's Day Hike (5/8)

"Oh my, I'm Seven Months Old!!!" 

Berit rolls from front to back and back to front. She has a preference to go to the right on the roll, but can reverse if tempted with toys.

Berit eats with the family, but is still working on root vegetables and finger foods.  Black beans and peas are next on the menu!

She loves to stand and jump.  She got a walker but can't quite touch the ground yet. She has pulled herself up to standing a few times now, with the help of her monkey machine (see prior post.)

She sits on her own but cannot sit up from laying flat on her back.  

She can scoot and roll into strange positions when left unobserved.

Petting Wolfie

Berit laughs if momma tries to play papa's harmonica.  Apparently he is much better at it.

She nurses regularly, but can't always be bothered with taking the quiet time to sit still and eat --- there is simply too much to do.  She makes up for those missed feedings at night, where she still sleeps with us.

I don't see her as often mid-day, although the accident at daycare means that I go up to see how she is doing or at least call.  I hope to outgrow the helicopter mommy stage before she gets to college!

Sitting still is hard these days

Just how much taller is Bear than Wolfie?

"Hurry up, mom, I've got things to do today"

"That's it..."

"I'm leaving!"

Bare toes baby!  

We hiked up to the cabin; it is still standing and smells amazing.  If civilization crumbles, we will retreat happily!

Berit's faithful boy-dogs...she pays them handsomely 

Yukon is a little jealous of the attention Bear gets, especially from Pat and the grandparents.  He loves the baby, but likes being the baby just as much.  All three are realizing that the baby has the ability to propel food from the table to their mouths with great ease -- and she doesn't get in trouble for it!  Here they are "helping" Pete airplane sweet potato to Bear's little bird mouth.

Trying the outdoors

I feel like I've been cooped up since she was born, so the sooner she starts appreciating the fresh air, the better.  We are looking forward to a summer outside: building the cabin, walking the dogs, digging in the dirt (gardening) and swinging.  There will be swimming too!

The German mafia guard their girl in the front yard (Sitka has the pine tree and driveway covered)

Our amazing herding dogs love their kid.  They seem particularly anxious for her to learn how to throw the ball.  Soon, I tell them!

Bear at play

Berit continues to delight her parents.  She is making up for those hours and days and weeks of crying.  She is a very opinionated and demanding little one, but gets away with it because she is so darn entertaining.

I can only guess what she is thinking.  I am working on learning signs so we can communicate, although they don't tell you how hard it can be for the parents to learn sign language!  Especially when one parent is laughing at the other...

I really will try to post more frequently~