7 Goucher Woods Court

we turned over the keys to our old house this morning. it was like saying goodbye to an old friend. we have already in just two short months started to make our new house a home. our three sweet little girls will create childhood memories of sleepovers and tea parties, drew & i will catch up over countless cups of coffee & enjoy the company of loved ones for years to come. but for now, it feels a little bittersweet. it was after all, where we started our lives together, brought home all three of our babies and shared so many memories with friends and family. thanks, 7 goucher woods court for all the wonderful memories!

Happy Seven Months Finley

finley,
is it really already 7 months? we are well on our way to getting ready to start planning your first birthday party in a few months. how can that be?

7 months ago today, you were only 30 minutes old. i was already in the recovery room and i asked the nurse to not let anyone back yet. i wanted a chance to have my first moments with you, just the two of us. it had been that way for the last nine months and i knew that any second, the beginning of having to share you with everyone else was going to start. yes, your mommy is a little selfish when it comes to her girls, but i am sure you can forgive me of that. i already knew you were perfect, but i remember unwrapping you and looking at every square inch of your sweet little body. how did i get so lucky? first your sisters and now you. you looked up at me and curled your tiny little fingers around my thumb. that's when i knew that we had a special bond and you trusted me to take care of you always.

now, 7 months later, you are the one grabbing my face, my hands, my hair, anything that you can reach.
i have started already to see the independent little girl that you will one day become. being the third child has not caused you to sit back and watch. you are a go-getter. i warn your sisters everyday that once you are on the move, they better watch out. all their toys are fair game. you are still a little roly-poly, moving clear across the room. you have been "scooting" for awhile now, but just this last week, you have started pushing up on all fours and rocking. you can sit, but just choose not to most of the time. you would rather be standing (with my help) or up on all fours looking around. i have a feeling that it won't be long before you are completely mobile.

last month, we FINALLY put you in your own crib and after a few rocky nights, you are doing great. i can always tell when you are tired because you rub your face with your little fists or my shoulder if i am holding you. you take two naps a day and sleep at night in your crib. i feed you before i go to bed around 10pm and you will sleep all the way through until around 6am most days and then back down until 8 or 9. you still don't love baby food, can't say that i blame you. you will eat a little and then cry to nurse. you absolutely choose nursing over anything. it's a lot of work, but i love that. especially that last feeding before bedtime. it melts my heart when you reach out and touch my face and then curl your fingers around mine to hold on. i will miss these moments the most when you decide you don't need me for food anymore.

you are still a talker, i think you get that from your mommy and your mamaw. we are starting to hear more distinct sounds that could be the beginning of words. you don't stay mama yet, but i hear "ma" a lot. you know who i am. you also, just today started growling. yes, growling. preslee thinks you are a lion. you love your little toes and i often find you first thing in the morning with them in your mouth. you definitely don't have the beynon, long skinny toes. they are short and chubby like mine.

this month, you went to the beach for the first time. you weren't a big fan of getting in the ocean, but the sound of the waves crashing seemed to lull you right to sleep.
you loved the pool and just squealed when we put you in the float.
you ate watemelon for the first time and devoured it.
everybody couldn't believe how much you had grown and just how beautiful you are. your daddy and i really are so lucky, we have three beautiful little girls!

you are still a mommy's girl. you have started to let others hold you for a few minutes, but are always scanning the room to make sure i am there. don't you worry honey, i am not going anywhere. you still have the sweetest smile i have ever seen. everything, even the wind blowing brings a smile to your face. i don't think i have ever been around a happier baby.
your sisters love when they talk to you and you grin at them (no teeth yet). they get so excited every morning when i bring you downstairs and can't wait to play with you. i know the three of you are going to be best friends.



happy seven months finley! try to slow down a little bit. i just want to hold onto these months forever and you aren't letting me do that. i love you!

mommy
UPDATE: as of today, finley has her first tooth! it's just creeping out above the gums.