8 months

Eight whole months.

Something happened in the last thirty days. My infant morphed into a baby, and a busy one at that.

Our days are filled with profound development, discovery and utter joy of life. I had forgotten how each new thing is all, “Wow, I had no idea that my fingers could wave!” “Check this out!” She gets so excited when something new is accomplished, and believe me when I tell you that there are countless accomplishments each day. You would think the shock value would fade but this girl bottles up wonderment with every breath she takes.

It has been interesting to watch how Cutter has interpreted her new freedoms. She can easily get across the room these days and has even begun to walk with the support of Mr. Fisher Price Dino. I keep trying to tell her she is only eight months old but as evidenced in her portfolio thus far, she is an over achiever (like her mother) and is not one to let age dictate her actions. He has learned to have quick reaction times if he doesn’t want Mater used as a teething toy.

Sleeping changed in the last month, too. She finally adjusted to a later bedtime and though it sounds trivial, it helps the nighttime run much more smoothly. She now gets a bath with Cutter at 6:30 and then goes to bed shortly after that. He follows behind her at 7:00. Due to the presence of pearly whites, she has been waking up one or two times a night but has otherwise continued to sleep through the night. She is up for the day between 6:30 and 7:00 am. 

Eating has been great and after this next weight check appointment I’ll be introducing a lot more varieties of food to her palette. My own hesitations have been the crux of her limited menu, though I did break down and give her some puffs as her teeth emerged. Not surprisingly she savored every airy morsel of grain placed in her mouth – the things are practically pure sugar.

Another life-saving change for me (remember, her OCD-schedule-loving-Type-A Mom?) has been her incredible ease with adapting to our new fall schedule. We are out of the house all morning for a guaranteed 3-4 days a week. Prior to this that time frame would have fallen directly in the middle of her morning nap. To adjust, I have been waking her a little early on the days we will be out to make sure she gets at least part of a nap in before we leave. The result is a delighted, well-rested baby who is eager to face a day of doing and learning.

The child remains a source of pure and constant delight; I just can’t say it enough.

At 8 months Scout is:

-          - Wearing size 6 month clothing

-          - Wearing size 3 month diapers (4 at night)

-          - Scooting around, not officially crawling but not sure if she ever will

-          - Walking with the assistance of a walker (we're at the stage where all we want to do is climb up and walk...everywhere)

-          - Playing with her toys and her brother’s; favorites are matchbox cars and train tracks

-          - Finally had her bottom two front teeth pop through

-          - Waking between 6:30 and 7 am, 2-3 naps a day, down for the night between 6:30 and 7 pm

-          - I finally put some socks on the girl and have tried a few pairs of shoes. They all remain big, but I’ll keep trying as those girl kicks are absolutely precious.

- Eating oatmeal and 2-3 oz fruit with breakfast, 3 oz veggie and 2 oz fruit at lunch, oatmeal and 2-3 oz fruit or veggie with dinner.

-          - 4 bottles a day; 7 oz each

-          - An excited and determined talker, “ba-ba-ba” “da-da-da” growling back at Cutter, screeching

We started sign language again in earnest this month and I am curious to see what her first sign will be. I love watching her mind at work as I make the different signs to her. 

Discovering so many new things with her, and for me now the second time as a mom, has been so rewarding. With Cutter I never knew what to expect and with her, I know what’s coming and love seeing the comprehension fall into place. 

Indeed – only 4 more months of party planning left!