Mackenna's Personality

This past week, I had a revelation in the grocery store. My baby isn't just a baby, but she is a "kid" now. I mean, I know that she is technically still a BABY, given that she is a 7 month old infant, but she is turning into a kid that functions independently of others. This revelation came about when I put her in the front seat of the shopping cart. It was her first time being in the front seat, and not staying in her car seat while we shopped. She was adorable, and made friends with just about every lady in the grocery store. I can't count how many times someone saw her and said, "Look at that gorgeous red hair."


The first half of the shopping trip went smoothly. She just stared about the store in awe of all that was going on. The second half of the shopping trip was where it got a little rocky. She started to grab items off of the shelves, and put them on her lap, than proceed to chew on them. Of course, I immediately pulled them out of her mouth and put them back on the shelf. I thought this would go smoothly, but it didn't. The minute I grabbed something out of her hand, the tears started flowing and the screaming began. In this moment, it clicked for me: I have a child. Not just a cute little baby that will sleep, eat and coo at me. I have a child that wants things and is NOT a happy camper when I think they shouldn't be in her hands. This brought me to the thought that Mackenna has her own personality, and I wanted to document what it is like now, so that I can someday compare it to what she turns out to be.


Here's what you are like, at almost eight months old.


You are uniquely independent for your age. You love having space, and are completely content when left to your self. You are happier sitting on the floor with your toys than you are being held. As daycare says, you aren't a "cuddly baby." Last night I realized, again, how independent you can be. I went out last night to a friend's house, and when I came home you were sleeping in your crib. I scooped you up and brought you to bed with me, thinking it would be a treat for you to snuggle in bed with mom and dad. Little did I know, you would wake up at midnight, crying. I picked you up and carried you back to your room. When I put you down in your crib, you immediately stopped crying. You just smiled and fell back asleep. You just wanted to sleep on your own, not with us. I think you get this independence from your mom.


Like your father, you are a deep thinker and intrigued in how things work. You stare at objects contently, and I can see the wheels turning as you figure out exactly what is happening. You can be so serious, for someone so small.


You are just plain silly. You blow bubbles at people just to see them laugh or smile. You scream and squeal and make growling noises, just to see the reaction people give you. You even laugh at your self.


I love you, and I'm just starting to know who you are.