Eight Months (and five days) Old!

Cuteness personified!

Wesley, you turned eight months last week... do you know that is 2/3 of a year? My, oh my, where has the time gone?

I had been waiting until I had the proper amount of time to do this post. I realized this morning that if I wait until I have that you'll be nine months old, at least! So, I'm writing this while you are laying on the floor playing with the pulls to the entertainment center (who needs baby toys?).

What are you up to this month? It seems like you made leaps and bounds in terms of movement. You are now commando crawling (where you pull yourself along with your arms dragging your belly on the ground) with gusto and get just about anywhere you want to that way. You're also starting to figure out how to go from sitting to being on your belly without falling over which makes you much happier!

You have started to cut your first tooth and although it is coming in slowly it has caused you little to no fussing. It is the bottom left front tooth I believe. Very soon your toothless grin will be gone! And speaking of grins, you have started to wrinkle up your eyes and nose when you are socially smiling at people which is very endearing.

Showing off your new grin!

You are pulling up (or trying to) on anything that will let you. The sofa is still a little high but if someone puts their hand under your arm or on your back you'll attempt it. You are becoming an expert at pulling up on Mommy and Daddy.

You are saying quite a few consonant and vowel sounds, including pretty regular da-da-da-da... still no ma-ma-ma-ma though! :) Also in the last week you have found the loudest, most high pitch scream I have ever heard from a baby and you like to use it when you are not getting enough attention and want some more!

Everyone who meets you comments on what a terrifically happy baby you are and you truly are. You cry very rarely and are very happy to offer people smiles. You also learned last week how to applaud (by holding one hand still and hitting it with the other) and will spontaneously break out in applause, especially at mealtimes. We're working on waving now, though it is currently more of a Nazi salute (straight arm, up against the cheek and then waved slightly).

Speaking of mealtimes (and not Nazis), you LOVE your fruits... peaches, pears, blueberries, apple... yes please! You are not quite as crazy about the veggies but will usually eat them too, including sweet potato, broccoli, avocado, beets, and carrots. However, you strongly dislike peas and will avoid eating them if at all possible. Same with pumpkin.

Eating blueberries is serious business!

You had your first "babysitting" experience this past weekend when mommy and daddy went to the opening night of Two Rooms. You stayed with friends of mommy and daddy who between the two of them have at least six higher education degrees. And from the pictures they took of you laughing and smiling, you had a great time!

You've also adjusted well to daycare. You love your teachers and there are so many toys to play with! You're now taking bottles from them well and even an occasional nap. You have no idea how thankful I am that this is the case because it means I can leave you there with less guilt and anxiety. There have even been several mornings where I have dropped you off and you don't cry! Of course, I think the fact that I get there early enough that I can spend a full twenty minutes in the room with you to help you transition helps... or maybe it's for me to transition. Probably more me!

I'm sure there is more but you have long since grown weary of the drawer pull and are now trying to climb me which makes blogging difficult... but you're definitely worth it!

With daddy at your friend's first birthday party

With mommy in your duck-hood towel (thanks Aunt Jodie!)

And in your adorable frog sweater jacket (thanks again Aunt Jodie!)

Here I come!