Elliot: 7 Months

Hello All.  Sorry for a little absence over the last couple of weeks.  It has been very busy in the Dalton house.  On June 5th, Elliot turned 7 months old and I feel like he became a different baby in a matter of days.  Since becoming a Mom, I feel like time has been measured by the little milestones that he reaches from month to month.  His first real smile at 6 weeks, his first coo's at 10 weeks, learning to roll from his stomach to his back at 10 weeks, his first laughs at 3 months, learning to roll from his back to his stomach at 4 months, eating solids at 4 months, sitting up on his own at 6 months and now at 7 months I feel like he is actually becoming a little person.  This month has been one of his biggest milestones; the day after he turned 7 months old, he took his first crawl!  Everyone who is a Mom told me that there are few of those major milestones that make you feel like you are really accomplishing something as a parent and crawling is one of those.  Now I know what those people were saying.  When I witnessed him take his first little crawls across the room, my eyes started to well up with tears.  I felt so much joy and happiness.  Not only was it a major developmental accomplishment for Elliot, it made me feel so honored that God chose us to raise this extremely special little guy.  When he finally crawled over to the toy he was after and grabbed it with his hands, he just looked up at me with the biggest grin on his face like, "hey mom, did you just see that?" 

In addition to the big milestone of crawling, he said his first words.  Sadly, it was not MaMa, but Dada instead.  He was extremely proud of himself and now he says it pretty much nonstop.  At first we thought he might just be babbling, but one morning, Kevin went in to pick up up out of his crib and Elliot just looked up and smiled, then said "Dada!"  After that, we pretty much knew that he was saying it in reference to Kevin.  There is nothing more amazing for a wife and a mother than to see your husband and child have such and strong relationship.  It is something that I had dreamed about for many years and I feel truly blessed that I am now being able to live that dream.  I can't believe how quickly these first 7 months have flown by and though I try to stay present for each of these moments and not wish anything too quickly, I feel like he is already growing up so fast!

Here's some photos!

playing with cousin addie

fake coughing face

growling in the jumperoo

snuggling with peepaw

chewing on everything

crawling

standing with support

playtime with ella and daddy

I can't believe how quickly these first 7 months have passed and I can't wait to see what the next 7 will bring!