My darling little girl,
I cannot believe you turn eight months old today! It seems like you've always been a part of our lives, but at the same time, I cannot fathom how you've managed to be here 8 whole months already! Amazing!
This has been a big month for you (aren't they all?). You have really taken mobility to a whole new level. While you learned to crawl just before your 7-month birthday, you've perfected your own little stride now - you tend to do a combo crawl and crab-walk; you're always crawling on one knee and one foot, as if you are about to stand up and take off walking.
Speaking of standing up, you love to pull up on everything now, and have started cruising around the furniture a little bit. You have no fear, and will pull up and try to turn loose and stand on your own, which often ends with you on your backside. That doesn't deter you - you get right back up and try again.
You started making kissy lips a few weeks ago, but have decided to stop that for now. That is your MO, really. You learn a new trick, repeat it enough so that I know it's not my imagination and that you're truly doing it intentionally, and enough to show it off to a few people. Then you stop, cold turkey. Like waving. You started waving a couple months ago, at least. Waved at your daddy, at Ms. Amy and occasionally Ms. Lisa, then you quit. Wouldn't wave for anything. Then, last week, you decided that was a pretty fun trick again, and you'll wave at anyone any anything that looks your direction. You're a waving maniac! So, I guess we'll just have to wait and see when you decide to offer sweet kisses again...
You are loving food - fruits, veggies of all kinds make you happy. We hadn't found anything you didn't like until last week. You don't like chicken. Specifically, liquid pureed chicken. In a jar. And I can't say that I blame you one little bit. Your daddy (bless his heart) can't even feed it to you without the gag-works starting. So, we're laying off the poultry for now, and keeping our vegetarian little baby happy with pears, pineapple, bananas, oranges, applesauce, squash, peas, green beans, and sweet potatoes. Although I have to say, you've started noticing that not all veggies are created equal. You can tell the difference in the green veggies, which you used to eat with relish, but now greet with the most hilarious (sorry, but it is) impression of your daddy's gagging when those beans hit your tongue. It's like you're trying to tell me, "Mom, I think you've mistakenly put lacquer thinner on my spoon. Ugh - here let me help you get this stuff out of my mouth. Gag. gag. gag. GAAAAAG." To your dismay, this show of distaste usually just makes me laugh. Eventually you acquiesce and allow me to continue feeding you this green mush, which you have to admit, is a step or two above liquid chicken.
You've also been enjoying some forays into true solid foods lately. Namely, Cheerios! Yum. You perfected the pincer grip months ago, which is the prerequisite for eating solids - so you can feed yourself. You love going after those little Os on your tray and attempting to shovel them into your mouth (sometimes they come right back out because you forget to close your mouth, or because they get 'stuck' in your fingers, since you forget to release them). We've been noticing this month your preference for using your right hand, and now that you're feeding yourself, that's becoming even more pronounced. Oh well, no one's perfect. :) You really love feeding yourself, and continue to get better at it. We keep trying new things to see what you like, too - you have enjoyed a few tastes of guacamole and refried beans, some bits of waffle, and the occasional baby cookie (mmmm.... apple wagon wheel, anybody?)
Your third and fourth teeth have been tormenting you this month - they're you're two front top teeth, and number three just started eeking it's way through your tender gums. You have not been very happy about the state of your poor little mouth this month, and you tend to let me know it around 12am. Then again at 1, 1:45, 2:30, 3:50, 4:37, 5:50 (for goodness' sake!), and by the time I get up at 6:45, you are dead to the world. Bless your pumpkin soul. It's all I can do some mornings to keep the petty 5 year old inside me at bay and not wake you up to join me, won't you?! as I drag my sleepy bum to the shower. One look at that sweet, innocent little face dozing on my pillow, and I just kiss you on your forehead and suck it up. Don't worry, my dear. Your time will come. I'll remind you of these days when you're 15 and stayed up all night talking to your 'boyfriend' on the phone and I am flipping your overhead light on and off and banging pots and pans by your head to rouse you for the school bus. It's out of my love for you, dear one. Wouldn't want you to be late! Just be glad your mama doesn't carry a grudge.
What I love most these days is your sweet laugh. When I blow raspberries on that little baby belly, or chomp those pudgy baby legs, you let out the sweetest little laugh, and it just sounds like angels to me. I could listen to you laugh all day and night. Speaking of raspberries, that's been a big favorite of yours this month. We've had to keep extra burp cloths on hand, because when you get in the mood, you'll blow raspberries for ages, drool just running down your chin, spit bubbles foaming at your lips. Nothing makes you happier, either, than when you can get someone to join you. My silly little girl. Oh, how I love you!
Happy 8th month birthday, my wee little bit. You're the best!
All my love,
Mama
Update! As I picked you up from school this afternoon, you were waving goodbye to Ms. Amy and said "buh buh bye" to her! I thought it was a fluke, but as we passed Ms. Mary a few minutes later, you said "buh bye" to her, too! You haven't done it again since, but it just may be the start of your first word! We'll have to wait and see, I suppose.
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