Dear Riley - 7 Months Old

Dear Riley,

Weight: 14lb 12oz

Clothes Size: 3-6 Months

Nappy Size: Pampers Size 3

My beautiful boy, you are now 7 months old and I am struggling to come to terms with how quickly you are growing. I sometimes wish I could freeze time and sit in awe of your purity and innocence forever. There’s a real connection between us now, for the first few months I felt overwhelmed by just how much I loved you – so completely and now I feel overwhelmed by just how deeply I feel you love me. Being your mummy has been the most amazing experience of my life so far, it’s nice to be needed in such a way, but i also feel blessed to know that you’re mine and I played a part in creating you.

You are quite a character now, with the cheekiest personality and the toothless grin to match. I just know that you’re going to be one of these mischievous little people that’s always up to something, but if I’m honest, I’m quite looking forward to it. You are also such a happy and laid back baby and everybody who knows you completely adores you and those who don’t always stop me in passing and ask about you.

You are stubborn, strong willed, impatient and very determined (can’t think where you get that from!) but I just know you will use those traits to your advantage and are destined for great things in life.

You are very sociable and interactive and not only explore everyone’s faces with your eyes, but with your hands and fingers too – poking, prodding, stroking, pinching! It’s a big world out there and everything is so new and exciting for you. You are also much more stable and coordinated as you reach out, grab for things and hold on to them – usually in your mouth, which is where everything ends up eventually! If you lose your dummy, you’ve learnt to soothe yourself by sucking your fingers and/or cuddling up to your muslin blanket, which now goes everywhere with us.

We started weaning you on to solids this month, a major step for you especially with you being premature as nobody was sure how you would take to it. The first couple of attempts didn’t go too well, but we persevered and you have the hang of it now, already showing a like/dislike for certain foods. Please don’t be a fussy eater like your mummy though, I want to try and discover new tastes all the time.

Your favourite song is ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and you grin from ear to ear whenever mummy sings it to you. You also like to be read ‘There Are Ten In The Bed’ and especially love it when mummy starts doing all the actions with you.

You are just a delight to be around and I love seeing the world through your eyes, trying to imagine how intriguing and beautiful it must seem to you. There are so many adventures waiting to be had and so many discoveries to be made. Your life is a journey that will be full of highs and lows but I’ll be with you every step of the way.

As ever Riley, keep happy, keep safe and keep healthy.

Love From Mummy xxx