8 Months

Dear Annie,

You are 8 months old today - time is really flying by! I really can barely believe that it's been a whole month since I wrote your last monthly letter. Summer has now crept into fall, and you are really enjoying the change in season, as it provides you with lots of tasty leaves to chomp on to your heart's content! Speaking of chomping, you finally sprouted 2 teeth this month! We first felt them about a week ago, and now they are clearly visible, and are so cute. I will miss your big gummy grin, but I think this new smile will melt my heart just as easily.

This month has definitely been the month of movement. You were just starting to scoot around at the beginning of the month, and now you have got your real crawl down - you aren't very quick yet, but just observing the changes that happened this month, I'll bet by your 9 month birthday you will be ALL over the place! You also love to sit yourself up from laying on your belly - that seems to be your preferred way to play now.

You spend most of your time playing - what a nice life to have! You really love your stacking cups, and can bang and chew and throw those for quite awhile. The ring toy I used to shake in your face as a newborn is also a favorite - you seem to gravitate toward that one in your basket of toys, just to shake and chew on. Lately, you are starting to try to play with mommy and daddy's things - your favorite to try to find is daddy's headphones... I tried hiding them behind the TV but you were a little too smart for me! More than anything, you LOVE our iPhones. I'm sure it is because daddy and I are just a little attached to them, so you must also think they are awesome. And they are. This may be just the beginning of your love for Apple products!

You are such a curious little thing - always checking everyone out! We took you on quite a few outings this month, to grocery stores, Target, restaurants, and you seemed to enjoy your view of the place from the cart or highchair. You have just gotten happier in the past month, and your evening crankiness has subsided considerably, even on weekdays. I think you are getting more used to the stimulation you get at daycare!

Sue reports that you are quite chatty with the other kids at daycare - you like to babble at home too, but on weekdays you are much louder! I wonder if you will get in trouble for talking too much during school like I did... time will tell.

Eating has gone pretty well this month - if you want to, that is. Some days you eat very quickly, and others not at all. You always seem to love to nurse now, which is so nice. You really never get fussy during a feeding anymore. A few times this month you fell asleep while nursing before bed, so we got to enjoy holding you while you slept for a little while - there is really not much I enjoy more than holding you while you nuzzle your face into my neck! It is so peaceful and you seem so content.

Speaking of sleep, you're still loving it! Still at 2 naps a day, although the morning one gets shorter and shorter. I think you may be early to drop to one nap a day! Your bedtime hasn't changed - you still definitely want to be asleep by 7pm, and then sleep until 6-7am.

We are starting to see your personality come through and it is so cute! I love the little glimpses at the girl you will become. You seem pretty laid back most of the time now, but definitely like being part of the action! We are loving watching you grow and change right before our eyes!

Love you always,

Mom