7 Months Already!

Wow, this month just FLEW by! Ben and I have been saying for the last 3 weeks that our son is 6.5 months old. We just realized that he is actually 7 months old today! Oops! Here are some of our adventures and milestones from this last month.

1. Growth – He continues to grow at an alarming (in my opinion) pace! He is not into 18 month clothes (which I was secretly thinking was going to happen at the pace we were at) but he is still getting bigger. He is now weighing in at 19.5 lbs and still holding at 28.5 inches long (as far as I could tell with all the wiggling)!

2. Mobility – He learned how to crawl this month! He hasn’t quite mastered “real” crawling but he does have his army crawl down! And when he wants something he can definitely get to it!

3. DETERMINED – Ben and I have been discussing that if we had one word to describe Isaac it would be this one! He knows what he wants and goes after it. He sees the cat – you better not even try to feed him his bottle or hold him – he wants to watch or touch her. He sees mom’s coupons – don’t turn your back he will be eating them before you can blink an eye. We are also fairly certain that given Ben and I’s personality this is going to be one driven little child!

4. Ear Infection – This has been the month of the ear infection. It has been a rough one but also an answer to prayers. We are currently on our third round of antibiotics for the same ear infection. Apparently, the first two weren’t strong enough. We are hoping that we will get a good report when we go to the doctor next week. Please still be in prayer over this.

The answer to prayer has come in the fact that some of the things ailing him (and us) were apparently linked to his ear infection. First – he barely EVER spits up anymore. As his ear has begun to heal he has stopped spitting up. It seems that the ear ache was causing him to lose his milk. Second – he is eating better. Almost immediately after starting to take the antibiotic he started consuming more food. Turns out that ear aches are painful especially when they eat. I had NO IDEA this could be the cause of his lack of appetite. Not that you could tell by his growth! Third – he is talking MUCH more. He had started talking and testing his voice quite a bit a little over a month ago and suddenly stopped. On his “good” days he is back to doing this some more and trying out new syllables and sounds. It is also very likely the ear infection was causing him not to hear well. Something that makes me very sad.

I am glad that he is getting better and that it seems like things might be on the mend now. We continue to pray for his ear to heal.

5. Friends – Isaac has quite a few friends already (mostly supplied by the Apex baby boom)! It is so much fun to see him playing with others.

• Carter & Evan – We see Carter the most since he and Evan are good family friends. Isaac and Carter seem to like to wrestle and taste each other’s hands. Not sure what that is about but it is cute! Isaac loves watching Evan too. Carter has mentioned how fun it is and Isaac would agree!
• Jonas – Jonas is mentor to Isaac. I am pretty sure that Jonas taught Isaac how to crawl. I babysat Jonas and several days later Isaac was up on all fours rocking back and forth. Jonas started crawling soon after this and they were together again for our Once A Month Mom Cooking Day and Tami & Melissa’s cooking day. Several days later, Isaac was crawling!
• Beck – The walking friend. Jonas has taught Isaac to crawl but watching Beck walk has opened Isaac’s eyes even more. I know it should be another 4- 6 months before Isaac is walking but I am not sure he is going to be okay with that. Remember what I said about “determined”?
• Xavier – Volleyball buddies for sure! Xavier’s mom is a passer so we are thinking that would be a good role for the “team” we have working. Isaac is definitely setting up to be a blocker with his height. The Neer’s have another player on the team and will determine whether this will be an all boy’s team or a co-ed. We can’t wait to find out which!
• Nursery Friends – I put Isaac in the nursery at church for the first time this month. Mostly before we got to dealing with this ear infection. We have stayed away the last few weeks trying to get Isaac healed up and feeling better. But he seems to like it so far.

6. Outside – Yay, there have been some warm days! Both Ben and I have taken him out for walks and he LOVES it. He just sits and watches all the things moving by taking it all in.

7. Food – We have slowed down on introducing baby foods this month. We had the scare with the bloody nose and a rash and since we are also on a new antibiotic we just didn’t want to introduce another factor into the mix. So we have stayed with the basics of oatmeal, green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, pears, apples and bananas. Last month he refused carrots, this month he will eat them. Now he isn’t sure whether he wants green beans. I’m not sure what is going on! I think it is his way of keeping me guessing. His favorite by far is PEARS. I can’t shovel those things in his mouth fast enough!

8. Animals – He loves animals (or at least the ones we have met so far). I have to be honest, we have contemplated getting rid of Misty Mae a lot lately. She just is over the top getting into things now that Isaac is here. (She broke a 9×9 trying to get to brownies – not a good thing in the Callahan home – you don’t mess with brownies)! BUT Isaac adores her. He hyperventilates any time that she walks by. He is also fond of all of the dogs that are friends have too!

9. Games – There are so many games that we play now I’m not sure I can list them. I thought I would just tell you my and Ben’s favorite.

• Tricia’s – “KISSES” – I say “kkkkiiiiiissssseeessss” and Isaac opens his mouth and leans in to attack my cheek. He laughs and laughs and laughs at how fun this is! Sometimes he just randomly decides to give others kisses. The other day Grandpa Phil was holding him and he just kept wanting to give him kisses. It was too funny!
• Ben’s – (not sure there is a FAVORITE) – Chicken – Ben “Bocs” like a chicken and bobs his head back and forth making his crazy chicken sounds. Isaac laughs so hard I think his stomach muscles must ache after it is all over!

10. Songs – He loves songs and music. To be honest though, he doesn’t like music as much as he likes Ben and I’s singing. For example, the radio doesn’t cut it in the car when he is fussy. I have to actually sing to him. We (Tricia in particular) has songs that are “Isaac” songs. They are made up for just him and he knows what they are. It is the one weapon I have to get his attention when I need it. (I just am happy someone is willing to put up with my singing).

11. Pictures – We had 6 month pictures taken of Isaac by Sharon Elaine. She is absolutely AMAZING! I have to decide which ones to pick this weekend. These are just a few of the nearly 50 that we have to choose from! I’m not sure how I am going to do it! (If you want to see all of them just email me and I will give you the instructions and password – there are some “nudie” shots so I don’t want to just make the info public – but friends and family are welcome to take a closer look).

If you can’t tell, we are TOTALLY in love with this kid. I sometimes wrestle with having another because I am enjoying him so much and don’t want to divide my attention. It is so much fun to see him growing and learning new things.

To see more from this month check out the 7th Month Gallery.