8.
Weight: 20 lbs? Not sure since we haven’t been to the doctor since his 6 month check up. He’s heavier and longer for sure. Wearing 18 – 24 month outfits. We’ve switched to t-shirts and bottoms since most onesie/rompers are too short. I’ve started just carrying him to and from the car to put him into his carseat since it’s so awkward to carry. I think we’ll be switching to the convertible seat soon. On our past few longer car rides he’s not super happy, I’m thinking he might be uncomfortable in the chair but he’s still under the weight limit – closer to outgrowing it height wise soon though.
What Riley is up to: This kid wants to crawl – look out! He’s rolling around, scooting backwards, getting his legs stuck under the couch, playing with his toys and laughing like crazy at the dogs. Even if he wakes up cranky from a nap, as soon as he sees one of the dogs he starts giggling and laughing. He’s sitting in the stroller and shopping cart like a big boy, and trying out highchairs and sitting up on his own.





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PostPartum: I made working out a priority this month and I’m starting to feel stronger. I tried some new recipes to add in more fruit and veggies in my diet. My eating is pretty good, 80/20 probably most days and 60/40 on others. I do weigh more than I did before I was pregnant but that doesn’t bother me. It’s more about feeling good in a bathing suit. I’m almost there. My stretch marks are fading and my Mommy Tummy is flattening out – I’ll probably never look like pre-baby me again, but that’s not a bad thing. I just want to feel like the best version of myself now. Emotionally, I’m good. I did have some funny feelings at the 6 month mark but I’m thankful that passed quickly. I didn’t realize that you’re still susceptible to PP Depression until 12 months. I think at 6 months he went through a huge growth spurt and it was taking a toll on me physically which then affected my mood.
Baby Gear: Kitchen tools are the best toys ever. Spatula, measuring cups, bowls. So much cooler than “real” toys. I’m trying to gather more books too. I bought him a 50th anniversary edition of the Giving Tree. Probably my favorite book from childhood. It still makes me tear up.
Thoughts: Oh man. SO many thoughts. I’ve been working on simplifying life, and I’m really trying to make that happen. I don’t want to be a crazy, stressed out Mom. I don’t want people to start a conversation with me by saying “I know you’re SO busy, but….” No way. I have time for my people. I want to soak up this brief time in our lives. Now. When our baby is about to crawl and still thinks we’re the coolest and funniest people ever. People tell you having a baby goes by fast – it does. But so does life. Having a baby just gives you something to measure it by with milestones and passing monthly celebrations. Sure I have a busy life, and there are lots of things about my job I can’t control. There are also lots of things I can control. And those are the ones I’m working on. Less stuff, less clutter, less stress. More space, more room to breathe, more time to soak up life. I really think that less is so much more.