7 month woes

Yesterday we went to get your pictures taken. 7 months already. Wow. You woke up from your nap cranky. Angry. Not wanting to cuddle, not wanting to chat, just wanting your bottle. The bottle you wanted to hold. As I tried to get you situated, you squirmed. You don't like laying down anymore, you want to be up looking around. You are a big boy now. I get it. After your bottle, I wrestled you into your car seat and off we went. For the pictures, you would not smile. We sat you in a bean bag and you tried as hard as you could to get up and out of that sucker. You will not be told what to do. The pictures we got are good. Classic Gideon. Goofy expressions, excited eyes. You are handsome even if you don't want to smile. What struck me about this latest round of photography is that you are really starting to exert your independence. You aren't putting up with much these days and you're sure to let everyone know if you're not happy. Gone is my little boy who sat in the bean bag all squished down and smiled pretty for the camera lady. That was just 2 months back! Here instead is a kid who knows what he wants, and more importantly what he doesn't want. That's ok with me. Some days I don't want to smile either. And I am so proud of you for knowing your own voice. Even if that means that voice can be heard echoing the entire upper floor of Sears. I hope you will never loose your voice. I hope to hear it often in the future. As you turn down your peas, talk me into various things and try explaining the trouble you get into. I hope to hear your voice as you tell me what you wish for the future, what college you'll choose. What girl you'll pick, what house to buy. I hope your voice will always hold your true desires, your true thoughts. I hope you'll never feel pressured to do something you don't feel comfortable doing, and I hope you use your voice to tell people no. Most of all, I hope as you grow up and find yourself, you'll use your voice to keep momma and dad in the loop. And on some things, I hope you'll listen to our voices. Might save you some heartache and wasted time. And if you don't feel like smiling some days, know that's ok too.