Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Eight Months

To our precious Annabelle as you turn eight months old

This month brought on changes in you that we didn't expect to see so soon.
We were both shocked at how much you travel around the house just to find one of us.
As much as you enjoy a small amount of time on your own playing, you need to make sure you know where we are at all times.
Finally we were able to enjoy dinner out with you happy in a high chair. You watched all the people and
stayed happy with crackers and some toys. It was our defining moment when we recognized you
as our baby girl, our constant dinner date, and our travel companion.


Your happiness is infectious.
People still stop and talk to us all the time and let me know how pretty your smile is.
Even though you are not a fan of beards, you give everyone else smiles and sometimes big waves.
You have no problem going to people and being held by others. You love both sets of grandparents and
stay so calm when Auntie Jenna walks you around.

We continued our sign language classes this month and you continue to be such a ham during class.
You love spending time around the other babies and still enjoy taking their toys. You love watching the teacher as she sings and reads books. Your attentive behavior continues to impress me.

Mama and Dada had their first date night this month and we talked about you the whole time.
You also slept the whole night at another house this month too. You just enjoy a house full of people and activity. It keeps you quiet and calm. That behavior fits well with your Mama and Dada.

In this month you have:

--continued to work on your two bottom teeth. Your tongue plays with them all day
--started big girl crawling. You go all over the house now off your belly.
--loved to be tickled on your belly.
--learned how to pull yourself up to standing. You pull yourself onto toys, chairs, the couch and your toy bin
--loved your Dada more and more. He is your world when he comes home and it's getting more emotionally difficult for him if he is not home in time to put you to bed.
--still loved eating. You don't let me know if you are full you just keep eating. Not good for your tummy.
--been much better at feeding yourself chunks of food. Steamed carrots are the best for you.
--continued to follow the cat around the house. Now that you can crawl it's constant entertainment.
--started to wake up much earlier than usual. The new normal is awake at 6am and really wanting out of crib by 6:30am. Not so easy for the morning routine of the household.
--moved back to two big naps and one evening cat nap
--moved back to eating 5 times a day
--gave milk sign to dad. You still acknowledge signs for sleep, milk, more and eat.

Baby girl, you continue to get more beautiful everyday. Your smiles brighten our tired and stressed moods and your hugs uplift our bad days. You're turning into my buddy. Having your eyes constantly on me helps me acknowledge my own personality and you are keeping my patience in check. Consistently reminding myself that I need to teach you how to become a good person full of integrity and compassion and the realization that you are already ready to learn these traits shocks me to my core.

You siting and smiling simply makes me a better person.

At 8 months you wear:
Onesies: 6 months
Jeans, pants: 6 months
Tops: 0-6 months
Dresses: 3 months
Jammies: 6 months

and you weigh: 15 lbs 3 oz