7 Months have come and gone.

7 Months!

Let's just let that sink in for a moment. 

SEVEN.

Has it really been a whole giant 7 months?

 Yep. It certainly has.

Our little wonder has grown so much! He seems to be gaining weight with him month of growth-- about 16 pounds at the 6 month appointment, 17 pounds or so at 7 months...I guess we'll see how long that trend keeps up.

Joshua is taller than ever--someone actually asked me the other day if he was 1 year old yet. Not quite folks. Not quite.

I had to hold the chalk board and show mom. It had to be that way...

He sure is stinking adorable though, isn't he?

Mastery of the art of sitting up. Please ignore my dad's funny expression. It's mom's fault. ;) 

 This month we have learned SO many new things!



Finger feeding is definitely on the top the list. Highly prioritized, independence is.

Joshua practiced sitting up and grabbing friends--he got VERY good at holding on to our friend Lincoln while they watched some safari animals.

He's just waiting until he can catch up to Lincoln in mobility, but they are best buds already: Joshua's got a hand on his back in this picture. Actually, it was a handful of his shirt, but same idea.

This last month we took our first trip as a family. Any guesses on the method of travel?

That's right folks. We're in an airport. Flying with an infant is pretty easy when they sleep the whole time. Sure wish this little beast had slept more than he did. But when he did sleep on the plane ride, let me tell you, it was something to behold.

We loved visiting Oregon and seeing a whole new host of cousins!

This was our motel room in Ashland.

Someone was super excited to be awake and ready to go. Seriously, he has the cutest smile.

Loving some baby food time during conference with Aunt Tammy and Joseph.  Joshua didn't just wear bibs back then. He wore capes.

This is a testimony to how much Joshua loves his cousins. He goes for their face with wide open baby kisses.  Joseph got the full face kiss. It just means they taste really great.

Don't worry Aunt Tammy.

He does this with his Aunt Brooklyn too.

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It just is a different way of saying "I love you."  ;)

Cousin Jacob.


Yep. I love him lots Mom. See.


His cheeks taste wonderful.

Handsome boys at the baptism! All dressed up in Sunday clothes!

We've been doing baby sign language with Joshua for basic things like milk, more, eat, food, drink, cat, dog, etc.

Not sure if it was a fluke or not, but when he first met Tammy and Ammon's dog, Dobby, he patted his leg and got all excited. (Patting your leg is how to say dog in sign language).

Joshua was given plenty of doggie kisses up in Oregon. But they were kinda slobbery. I'm sure he just wished he got slobber all over Dobby to get back at him for all the crazy kisses.

Canadian geese nest up north in Oregon.

We had a wonderful time up in Oregon with family. This guys live so far away it seems like they grow a mile every time I see them again! We'll miss them and hopefully see them again soon!

Avocado, cheese, and banana food. If all else fails to entice this little man, he will gorge himself on avocado and banana. He's getting quick with those messy little hands!

Play date with mom's friend from when we were 8 YEARS OLD! Crazy right?

Good thing her baby is so stinkin' adorable!

Best pals forever right there!   Princess Aurora needs a super flirty Prince to whisk her away one day. I think Joshua is putting in the application to be her knight in shining diapers in the future.

Bonus Features this month:

*** TEETH!  Joshua has TWO sharp little daggers on the bottom gums. Took some hard work to get them and it looks like the top 2 aren't far behind!

*** First signs: Milk and "all done"

***Worming crawl. He doesn't go far, but he can inchworm around a portion of the floor to reach for the cats. I am willing to bet that the cats will motivate him most to start crawling...

Easter was a beautiful day in the Peterson home. Early morning church got us going bright and early!

Easter basket favorites included the matching ties (which were spilled on with prune juice during Priesthood), and the fun bumblebee toy.

I am so immensely grateful for my Savior and that he provided the way for us to be together forever in eternal families. Because of Him, I have the precious opportunity to be Joshua's mother. 

He is a JOY to be a mother to. I wouldn't ask for anything more. 

Next up: 

Mobility...here I come!