8 Months

Again this month crept up on me.  I feel like we've been so busy lately that it makes the time fly.  We'll be busy right up until your birthday starting this weekend with vacation, holidays and football.  I'm so excited to share all these fun things with you for the first time.

• You still weigh around 17lbs
• You're still also around 26" tall.  (You don't go back to the Dr until 9 months so we'll have a more accurate height and weight then.)
• Your hair is still a lightening up some.
• Your eyes are a kind of hazel color and I think they're going to turn dark but we will see.

• You're wearing mostly 6 month "play clothes" onesies and pajamas,  You're in 9 month dressy clothes (although you still have several 6 month outfits you can wear too.)
• Size 2 diapers although its almost time for size 3's.
• Still no teeth
• Biggest milestone is you're sitting unsupported.  We still put the boppy around you because you don't sit for long.

• You're eating purees twice a day with cereal. Once in the morning and once in the evening.  You eat about 2 ounces of fruit or veggie and 2 ounces of cereal at each sitting.
• This month you tried pears, butternut squash and plums.
• We're still breastfeeding.  You nurse 3 times each day and get one bottle.  You nurse around 15-25 minutes at a time and you take 6 ounces in a bottle.  
• We've tried to introduce water in a sippy cup.  You're not interested.

• You are sleeping amazingly.  
• You sleep 11-12 hours at night.  We have our bedtime routine and put you in the crib and you usually go right to sleep.  You rarely cry at bed time any more.
• Your naps have gotten better.  When we are home you nap great.  2 2hour naps.  At work you have gotten better but you only sleep around an hour. But you don't really cry when its nap time anymore.
• You've started sleeping on your tummy with your knees pulled up underneath you and your cute little tush in the air.  Its the cutest thing ever! 

• You are close to crawling.  You've got the motions you just aren't quite strong enough to put it all together.
• You can grasp toys with both hands.
• You can also move toys from one hand to the other.
• Daddy said you can hold the bottle but I haven't seen it.
• You're starting to hate bath time again.  You don't want to sit up and you don't want to lay in the sling so you just fuss and we hurry through it most nights.

• Ally loves you.  And you adore her.  You smile so big when she gets close to you. 
• You laughed out loud on your own this month.  It's always been at the dogs.
• You will grab Ally by ear, leg, collar or whatever you can get.  She just lets you.  She will cry if you're hurting her but most of the time she just stands there.
• You talk all the time.  

• You went across state lines for the first time this month.  We went to Atlanta to visit your aunt Elizabeth.  You did great.  
• You also went to one of my favorite places, Tuscaloosa.  We got to see Uncle John and Aunt Hope.  
• You sat in a high chair in the restaurant for the first time. 
• You got to meet a new friend this month when baby Cooper was born.  

• You still love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
• You have one of those rainbow ring tower toys that have been around forever and you love those rings.
• You're blowing bubbles all the time too.
• You've also started looking at books and seeming to enjoy those especially at church.

I think this month has been the best one yet.  It's been tough.  You're daddy has been working second shift so you only get to see him for a short time in the mornings.  I know he misses seeing you and you miss him too.  We're pretty much in survival mode by 4:00 most afternoons but we survive.  I feel like this month you've looked and acted less and less like a baby.  It makes my mommy heart a little sad.  I love seeing you grow and change but I'd love you hold your sweet little newborn body in my arms again.  This month is going to be fun with the start of football and a beach vacation.  I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.  

Happy 8 month birthday!