cartoon Clara

Someone at church told me that my baby looks just like "Jack-Jack" from The Incredibles.

So of course I pulled out my phone in the middle of the meeting to find these images (I don't think I've seen the movie since it was in theaters)...

and then snapped a few shirtless pictures to compare:

OK, so my baby girl might slightly resemble a cartoon boy.

I hope she comes with superpowers, too.

visited

One of the best things about living in Chicago is that we get a lot of visitors. Whether it's work or a layover or a drive-through or actually us that brings them, I could care less. It's just fun to live in the middle of nowhere (albeit in a big city in the middle of nowhere) and not feel too secluded.

December brought a few friends our way...

Brian and Brittany and James and Livy (friends from dental school in Richmond who now live in Knoxville) came for a few days (Brian had an oral surgery conference) and we caught up one night over dinner...

And then Kristin and Brody came back last week (Brody had investment banking interviews) and brought 6-week-old Madeleine! (Kristin is one of my best friends from home (sort of)/BYU and now lives in Ann Arbor.) I was slightly freaked out about having another baby in the house but they both (and subsequently the rest of us) slept spectacularly!

This was their second Chicago visit (they also stopped by before M. arrived) and I'm saddened that we never took a picture of Kristin and me. Ah, next time.

But, of course, we took a few of our girls. M. was sweet and sleepy. And for the most part, Clara ignored her.

7 months

Clara Jade @ 7 months

Sits unassisted.

Still not rolling back to tummy. (The second you put her on her stomach she flops right back over.)

No signs of crawling.

Loves her "new" jumperoo (which we hunted down on Craigslist after we observed her unsuccessfully trying to bounce in her exersaucer).

Weight: 16 lb. 10 oz. (46th %)

Still an average height/weight. 

(She's starting to fit into 6-9 month clothes.)

Has an exceptionally big head.

And extra tiny feet. (Can still squeeze into most 0-3 size shoes.)

Her first tooth erupted exactly on time at 6 1/2 months and the second one is starting to peek through. 

(If you look closely you can see it...!)

Her hair is growing, I swear!

No more thin spots in back and it's beginning to thicken all over.

And it's still pretty brown, which shocks me. I thought it would turn blonde for sure.

the Christmas tree is more interesting than me, obviously

She's started saying strings of "da-da-da-da's" and "ga-ga-ga-ga's".

(Sorry Dus, we're not counting "da-da" as her official first word. It needs to be intentional.)

I can't tell whether it's reflux (she's still on medication) or teething or issues from solid foods or what but she's hasn't been eating much (milk or meals) lately. And started throwing up at night (we're not talking about just a little spit up) on occasion.

new foods: acorn squash, plums, peas, apples, prunes, peaches, carrots, pumpkin, apricots, rice, barley, oats, and yogurt

Best of all, she's back to sleeping all night. (~ 7 pm 'til 6/7 am) And it's AWESOME!

And she take 3 fairly reliable naps, 45 min- 2 hours apiece. 

This is the perfect age...

She can't crawl yet = low-maintenance. 

Is easily entertained- just make sure whatever is entertaining her is safe to be eaten/chewed.

And still likes strangers. 

Baby girl, stay this sweet forever, please.