Month 8

Dear McNugget,

Month 8 has been all about freedoms - both for us and for you. For you, freedom is *almost* crawling. You can now officially move yourself, but only backwards when laying down and with a energy-burning combo of reaching-kicking-leaning-and scooting when seated. It certainly isn't for lack of trying though! Your daddy has been the biggest hero with tummy time - he just really knows how to work with you. Over the last week, you began to flip from your back to belly and now do it all the time: when getting a diaper changed, when playing, when going to sleep. You'll be crawling before we know it - time to babyproof I guess!

One of your favorite things to do is watching other kids, and we've found you talking to yourself and even trying to kiss on your adorable self in the mirror. You're quite popular at daycare, with all the teachers taking special trips on their break to come visit you. When we go out and you see another kid - you just light up. And you love sitting and chatting with the other babies. Its just so super.

You've finally seemed to get over your fear of grandpop and uncle Sean. You even blow your grandpop kisses when you see him. He just hates that! You still don't say anything beyond the regular baby-babble, but you know what the word "up" means, and respond to your name regularly.

You're still a fantabulous sleeper - basically 7pm to 6:30am every night. And car rides are perfect naptimes as well, so we get lots of travelling in on the weekends. Our nightly routine is a quick bedtime story (if we're all not too tired), saying our prayers, and a kiss from mom and dad. Turn on the music nightlight, swaddle you up, and you're out like shout in 5 minutes. We're seriously lucky and love watching you on the monitor every night.

This month you tried out the swings for the first time (though they were a bit big for you) - and of course you loved them. You think the dogs barking and running around like crazy are purely for your entertainment. I can't wait until we see you chase after them for the first time. Your favorite color is yellow (you'll always choose the yellow toy rings, or try to play with our yellow prints on our shirts or Daddy's Livestrong wristband). You also like anything shiny and metal - like my necklaces, your 'bling' rattle to chew on. And I guess that's because you have your top two teeth trying to break their way in. You'll have those in the next few days I think.

As far as baby-fashion goes, you're never short on cute things to wear. We dress you in a headband every day, since your hair is still too fine to put something in. And your hair is dirty-blond - and your eyes still blue with flecks of green/hazel. Yeah, I never thought I'd get a blond-hair, blue eyed baby, but we can thank your dad and aunts/uncles for that I guess. You're still a tiny thin peanut- although very healthy looking. You've started to "grow into your cheeks" and amazingly, you just keep getting cuter and cuter all the time. I'm so glad I had a little girl.

It's ridiculous how lucky you've made me feel every single day. You make me light up every single morning - no matter how crummy I slept or how early it is. When I see you, my heart just grows a little bit bigger. I wish every night that I could share that feeling with the world. Thank you for being in my life and for being such a fantastic little baby. Happy 9 months punchkin!

xoxo,

Your Mama