Wiley-8 months

Here it is, you're 8 months old and I haven't even posted your 7 month pictures yet (your 6 month ones long forgotten). It's happening too fast and the time just seems to be ticking away. While this winter has been filled with freezing cold days, lots of snow and a longing for spring, I can't help but hope spring takes it's time arriving, because with the warmer weather comes my last little man's first birthday. Sigh.

Here's what we've been doing this month. January was filled with COLD days, lots of cold days. Lots of days of staying home to stay warm. Lucy and Murray had days off school almost every week because of the cold and while it didn't help us keep a routine, it did help you be entertained. You're loving your older siblings and they're loving you.

Lucy and you have a special bond. She has decided you're hers and she plays with you each day. Making sure the 2 of you have some time just for each other. She likes to help you "walk", holding you in a standing position and moving you around the room. She also lets you sit on your belly and you bounce up and down while she holds your hands. You always seem to have lots of smiles and laughs for Lucy.

Murray is your tough big brother. He loves to play with you and it's usually a gentle rough. Murray uses you in all forms of his fighting against bad guys....sometimes he even assigns you the roll of evil villain! You oblige happily and smile as he pretends to defeat you, unless of course it really does get rough, then you alert us all right away!

Oh Ginny. You and Ginny are together day in and day out. You share your space quite well together and she lovingly refers to you as "My Baby Wiley". You're starting to find your place, giving her kisses, pulling her hair and taking her toys, but she does enjoy having you around and often shares with you throughout our playtime. She also helps keep you safe, telling you "No baby Wiley, don't go  by the stairs" or "No baby Wiley, don't eat that!" Ginny also enjoys helping to feed you and tells me when you need a diaper change...recently she's started blaming you when she has a stinky diaper as well.

You're getting so big, you're moving around, often on all fours or on your hands and feet trying to push around or hold yourself up, but your preferred method of moving still seems to be the army crawl and man are you fast at it!

You're finding mischief more and more, opening cupboard doors, eating every small piece of lint on the floor and attempting to explore the stairs. I can tell that while you're very mild mannered you have an element of curiosity that is going to make your toddler years and adventure.

You've been waking more often during the night, but then in a single night 2 teeth popped out in a single night just a day after 1 had popped through. At 8 months old you have 2 teeth on bottom, 3 up top with a 4th just aching to come out. If we keep going at this rate you'll have all your teeth by 1 (hopefully things slow down a bit...)

We love you little man. I know I say it every month, but your daddy and I just can't imagine life without you in it. You bring us so much happiness and joy. These past 8 months have been flying by and I'm trying my best to enjoy each sleepless night, and crazy day because I know it will be gone before I know it. My newborn baby, and small little infant are disappearing before my eyes and a toddler is slowly starting to take over...I'll keep you little as long as I can, but I know you're growing way too fast!

Evangeline Kate 8 months old

8 months old! How are you 3/4 of a year old already?

I know, it's the same every month. I feel like just when I start to accept you're getting to be so big I suddenly have to think of you being 1 month older. I was just accepting that you were a 7 month old and now I have to tell people that you're 8 months old. 

Regardless of my desire for you to stay small you are indeed getting bigger. Here's a few things you've learned in the last month...

You have "go go gadget arms", just when I think something is out of your reach or you'll fall over grabbing it your arms get just a bit further and you can get that desired item. It's quite fun to watch!

You have started scooting with intention. You're not crawling yet, and you're not very fast, but between reaching with those long arms and hopping on your bottom you can make your way throughout the room to get to what you want. The first time you did this it was towards my glass of wine...hmmm...not sure what to think of that!

You're starting to be more vocal. I love listening to you jabber while playing, however I'm blaming your brother on teaching you how to spit and scream. The squeals are enjoyable, but the screaming to get me to pay attention to you...well, we may have to work on that ;)

You have definitely solidified your object permanence recognizing when a toy is hiding or I have walked out of the room. Sometime we use it this skill to play hide and seek...sometimes you just scream until you can see me again.

You're eating...just a bit...YAY! I really was starting to wonder, but just this past week you started swallowing some smushed banana and applesauce. You've also started chewing on small apple slices, a pretzel and a few veggies. It's not much, but it's a start and I'm sure you'll be eating like a champ in no time...you may however prove to be even pickier than your brother and sister as infants though!

You are wearing 18 month clothes...like I said, just slow down in the growing department!

You're hair is growing in fuller, thicker and darker! I may have a dark haired baby yet! Your eyes seem to be a bit darker most days, but they still haven't committed to a color yet. 

You love to people watch, get their attention and flash them a big toothy grin. You certainly know how to lay the charm on thick and everyone just loves it. You're still coming with me to Bible Study on Saturdays and those women just love you. You even came overnight on your first women's retreat last weekend. You were an absolute dream...I'm almost certain you didn't cry at all the entire time! (except in the middle of the night to be fed)

You're definitely a mama's girl. You hardly let anyone else hold you anymore and reach for me if they do. You love your daddy, but reach for me if it's anywhere near time for you to eat. 

We sure do love you Ginny girl! Lucy likes to check on how big your toes are growing and Murray just slobbers you with kisses. I'm excited to see how you are when you're more mobile and can interact with them more...however I'm willing to wait for that stage to come...there's just a few traces left of that sweet baby girl born last July so I'll cling to them as long as I can, I know when they're gone I'll have an exciting toddler in her place!