8 Months Old

It's already that time again---You're another month older and we've been blessed with another month full of laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses.  I tell myself this each month, but I think this if my favorite age so far.  Your personality has really started to bloom and you're really becoming your own little person.  You're so much fun and such a joy to be around.  Here's what you've been up to this month....

*You experienced several firsts this past month, including your very first Easter and your first Mother's Day.  Both were very special days for our family.  You were also dedicated to the Lord on Mother's Day, which made that day even more memorable for all of us.
*At about 7 and 1/2 months, you finally decided you were ready to sit up on your own.  Now that you've got the hang of it, you seem to love seeing the world from a new perspective.  We think you knew how to do it all along, but were just being stubborn!
*You tasted your very first fruits this past month, and your favorites so far seem to be peaches and apples.  You're still eating your veggies too, but still aren't crazy about the sweet peas. 
*Some of your favorite things to do are: walk with Mommy to the mailbox each day to check the mail, Skyping with the Grandparents, taking warm baths, listening to music, looking at books, watching your baby movies, riding in the car, playing outside, and watching your "brother dogs" run around the house.  You particularly like any toys that light up or make sounds.  You are still fascinated by balloons.
*You are still sleeping great, although this past week has been a little rough.  Mommy has decided it's time to break you of your beloved swaddle blanket.  This has caused Mommy a LOT of stress and even a few tears.  I feel so guilty taking something from you that you love so much, and that seems to really help you sleep.  This has by far been the biggest obstacle we've had to overcome in the past 8 months.  We are trying to break you slowly, by letting you sleep with one arm out.  We've been doing that for almost a week now, but you're not too happy about it.  Once we get you used to having one arm out, we'll move to two arms, then legs, etc. 
*You have established a very good schedule all on your own and each day you seem to follow it almost perfectly.  You normally wake up around 10:00 a.m.  You have your first bottle around 10:30 a.m.  You go down for a nap around 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. and sleep anywhere from 2 to 2.5 hours.  You have another bottle somewhere around 2:30 p.m. and another by 6:30 p.m.  Around 7:30 p.m. you eat your baby food dinner and then get another bottle around 9:30 p.m. or 10.  Sometimes between your baby food and your last bottle you take a little cat nap, but we try to keep you up so that Daddy can play with you for a little while.  After your last bottle, we wrap you up and lay you down in your crib awake and you put yourself to sleep.  You're such an easy baby and we are so thankful!
*You don't go back to the doctor until your 9 month appointment, but I'm guessing you weigh somewhere around 16 pounds.  I'm not absolutely sure, but that's my estimate based on your previous gains between appointments.
*You talk, laugh, coo and giggle NON STOP!  You are always making some kind of noise, and it's very rarely crying.  You are such a happy baby!
*Your baby blue eyes and big fancy bows continue to catch the attention of friends and strangers alike.  Everywhere we go, you are complimented and and drooled over.  I can't wait until you're old enough to say "thank you".
*Still no teeth, but buckets and buckets of drool!
*You still love the paci and I'm ok with that.  Other than swaddling, it's your only other "comfort thing" and I'm not worried about breaking you anytime soon.  If you're still hanging onto it by your first birthday, then we'll start tackling the task of taking it away.  For now, I'm not worried in the least.
*You're still wearing a size 2 diaper and you're still fitting into your 6 month clothes.  The 9 month outfits are still a little big but the 6 month are still just right.
*You've started showing some signs of separation anxiety.  Not so much with strangers, but just when Mommy leaves the room.  You do NOT like it when I get up and leave without taking you with me, and you promptly let me know this!
*Daddy thinks you might be left handed like Nonie.  I haven't noticed this, but he seems to think you use your left hand more than your right.  I guess we'll wait and see!
*Recently, I discovered that you are completely terrified of the vacuum cleaner.  Anytime it comes near you, you let out the most pitiful, scared little cry.  Breaks my heart!
*You took your first ride in the grocery cart without your carseat this past week.  You loved sitting up like a big girl and seeing the world around you.  Mommy just has to remember not to park you too close to any of the shelves in the store, as your little hands LOVE to grab things these days!

You are getting so big, Kyndall and we love you even more with each passing month!  Thank you for being such a wonderful baby!  We are so proud of each new thing that you do, no matter how silly it seems to the rest of the world.  We are treasuring every moment we have with you and continue to be thankful for even the little things.  Happy 8 months, little princess!