Dear Declan,

You're 7 months today and have already mastered much beyond your months.  This last month you have completely grown bored of sitting still - long gone are the days of you enjoying hanging out and just staring.  You've come and gone with just sitting by yourself playing, and can easily pull yourself up (with very little help) to stand, and even try to walk!  I have to keep my eyes shut each time with anticipation for what is to come very (too) soon.

This month your second tooth has started to pop through as well, somehow I noticed this one after swim lessons as well.  You 'graduated' your first swim course with flying colors and even at your age showed off to the older kids in class.  Putting together kicking and splashing before most twice your age.  Even when you were dunked in class you spit out water and even smiled right after!  Thankfully you're taking after me with your love of water!! It took a little time, but once the water heated up you were happy as a clam.  It also helped bringing your light up fish to play with and chase around the pool.  The instructors commented at how quickly you learned everything and how handsome you were (as everyone always does).

We had fun surprising Daddy with his Father's Day gift, such a great photo!

You and Tyler are becoming fast friends, I can't get over how sweet you are with him. You light up whenever he enters the room and you've learned how to pet him softly without pulling.  He loves trying to lick you on your face and you squeel with delight now. Emmy has been better about letting you pet her, though.  She doesn't mind TOO much when you reach for her feet.

You're my handsome little model and I love showing your photo. At your doctor appointment this month Erin loved commenting at how much you've grown and how advanced you are - she LOVED your "Ralph Lauren model" photo.  Before we left she was shocked to see you lift yourself to stand with no help from me and commented at how close to walking you must be, she even said that your sitting ability was so advanced that you were well ahead of the curve.