Baby Physical Development in 7-Month-Olds: Monkey See, Monkey Eat

If your baby doesn't have a nickname yet, Scooter might be a fitting moniker these days. While he might not be crawling just yet, your baby is likely finding a way to drag himself along the floor to get to that shiny toy across the room. So don't be surprised if you turn your head for a few moments to mash those bananas only to turn back and find him several yards from where he was just seconds ago ... and reaching for your makeup bag.
What You're Thinking: "Nothing's safe anymore!"

• Make funny, ridiculous sounds with your mouth—like sticking your tongue in and out really fast and saying "lubbalubbalubba"—to make your baby laugh. There's a good chance he'll try to imitate you at this point in his baby physical development. While it's great fun for both of you to be "lubbalubbalubba-ing," technically, it's only acceptable for your baby to be drooling while he does it.
• Even if your baby doesn't understand all the words you're saying to him, he'll probably understand your intent. When you are happy with him, you may get a positive response, and when you are speaking sharply to him, he may cry if he thinks you're upset. He's learning to understand your tone. You're learning that you're not immune to his boo-boo lip.
• Your baby is beginning to work on his imitation skills, so if you're planning to raise a bilingual child, make sure he hears the languages you want him to learn now. That way, he'll be able to learn the sounds and imitate them. Parlez-vous bébé?

• You've accepted the fact that your baby has more accessories than you do.
• You're happy you're not a celebrity. Fleet of nannies, trainers and cooks aside, getting photo'd by the paps at Starbucks after a night of no sleep and a morning of no makeup is wholly unfair.
• You regret not owning stock in companies that make paper towels, wipes and diapers, since your household consumption alone could drive up the share price.
• You realize you can actually use those silver spoons your baby received as gifts for feeding instead of just displaying them in his room.
• Your growing baby is making those walks with the baby carrier a bit more challenging. Who knew you'd need so much lower-back strength?!
• You wake up in the middle of the night to sounds of your baby crying ... only she's not crying. (All those months of 3 AM feedings have you programmed!)

Your baby's new adventure with solid foods doesn't just mean more food prep, it also means more cleanup. (And this age is easy—just wait till she starts hurling pasta with sauce across the room!)

If you're starting to feel like you don't have it in you to scrape off one more mound of dried puréed vegetable off the floor, you're not alone. Lucky for you, others got so tired of all the mess that they came up with some helpful solutions for lessening mealtime messes. Read more ...

• How can I tell if my baby has vision problems?
• What can I do to help my infant soothe himself to sleep?
• It is true that having lots of ear infections can lead to learning disabilities?

Cook It: Clare Kramer's Sweet Potato & Oatmeal Baby Food
Two easy ingredients. One great baby food recipe.
Buy It: WubaNub
A pacifier that'll spend more time in baby's mouth than on the floor.
Share It: Citizen of the World
Bringing up baby ... bilingual!
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.

BACK: Special Edition: Lose the Baby Weight / NEXT: Baby Development: More Month 7

All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.