The Not-Quite-Daily Freya -- Tummy Time, Part Deux

So...it's been a while since I've posted.  We have neck control and are smiling for real these days.  In fact, we are probably dangerously close to crawling -- as parents, we alternate between excitement and an urge to staple the little minx (via babygro) to the floor.

That aside, Freya, at almost seven months of age, you are a total delight.  Here's a list of random facts about you thus far:

• You have two teeth -- bottom middle; top ones coming in now!  We will miss your gummy smile, but such is life.
• You've been on three airplane trips -- two to France & one to the U.S -- and done us proud each time. If we had one complaint, it's that you enjoyed walking up and down the aisles (in our arms) smiling maniacally at all the other passengers a little too much...
• You refuse all bottles, sippy cups etc in favor of your mother as preferred restaurant -- this concerns us a bit for your eventual transition to creche, but you're a girl who knows her own mind, and that can't be a bad thing in the long run.
• Your first taste of "real" food was carrots & you gave them two thumbs up.  Oranges are also a hit, as is butternut squash.  You seem to like orange stuff...
• You noticed your feet for the first time around 8 weeks old -- they continue to be a source of fascination for you.
• You're so eager to sit up, you can hold a reverse Superman for about 15 seconds -- serious baby abs!  Your Dad is v envious.
• You don't love the car, but this video keeps you quiet & amused when we're desperate.
• You light up every time you see a dog -- born into the right extended families, clearly.  It's like you rediscover Dru & Scarlett for the first time every morning.
• You first rolled at 3.5 months, but it's taken you until now to master it -- look out world.
• You don't cry often, but burst into tears at the sound of the hoover and hairdryer.  I consequently wear my hair curly a lot more often this weather.
• Your favorite toys are not toys.  They include the TV remote, a plastic bowl, a measuring cup (your drumstick for the bowl), car keys, bottles of any kind (especially ones with oil in them...the unctuousness) and the strings of Mama's favorite blue hoodie.
• You can clap!  And you do it often!  Every morning when you wake up in fact.  And throughout the day.  It's quite gratifying to have such an enthusiastic audience for our every move.
• Daddy taught you to wave a few days ago.  You move your hand side to side at the wrist -- very much a queenly motion.  It's pretty adorbs, I won't lie.
• Your hair is long on top and at the back, but doesn't seem to want to grow on the sides.  Mullet alert!  (Not quite.)  You make the look work for you though, so no worries.
• You've started trying to stand up in your crib.  We moved the mattress down a notch last night, which perplexes you no end, but we're sure sleeping better!
• We read a book to you before bed each night -- you insist on turning the pages yourself.
• You like helping us cook in the evenings from your vantage point in the sling on my chest.  Much squealing and head swiveling.
• You're obsessed with taps and other shiny bathroom fittings.  Given a choice between your bath toys and the bath plug, you'll go for the plug every time.
• You've already internalized that smartphones are a must-have accessory.  I used to be scandalized by parents who let their kids play games on the phone/tablets all the time, but I now understand its inevitability.  (And utility!)
• You're very familiar with the interior of Starbucks Blackrock.  You could probably order for me at this point.
• You really really really like being naked.
• Your favorite song is "The Ants Go Marching" -- we know all ten verses off by heart and are now into making up our own words in an effort to keep it new and exciting for all.
• You wake up consistently between 7 and 8 in the morning; you go to bed at night somewhere between 7 and 9:30 (we're working on it.)  You like to "check in" with us every 2-3 hours.  Most nights, we take you out of your crib to sleep in our bed anywhere between 2 and 5 a.m.  We didn't mean to co-sleep, but now we love waking up next to you.
• You hate sleeves.  Or more to the point, you hate getting them on.  Once it's done, you don't seem to mind.
• You don't like to be cradled or held in a way that you can't see what's going on -- a very curious madam about the world around you!

I could go on (and on and on and on), but I'll save for a subsequent post.  Consider this a snapshot of you at half-a-year-and-then-some old...we can't wait to see what's in store next.