8 Months

So I guess I took an unintentional blogging break over the last week. I had no idea how jam-packed a baby's first Christmas would be! We've been from Dallas to Tulsa to Norman in the past few days, and now we're getting ready to celebrate four Christmases over the next few.

I've been so good at posting every month on the 24th for G's "birthdays", so I wanted to make sure and get it done today even though we are super busy celebrating his first Christmas Eve! It's kind of unbelievable to me that we're already here at 8 months. I remember when I was pregnant last Christmas saying "Next year we'll have an 8 month old baby with us!"... and now here we are. So crazy!

Oh, and by the way, I keep thinking the older he gets the easier the photos will be because now he can sit up and pay attention and whatnot...but no. Not even. He is so distracted by everything around him that I literally can't get him to take a single good photo. But oh well...I guess this captures the stage he's at right now better than anything else would ;)

Grayson,

All of the sudden it seems like you are a BIG boy, in more ways than one. You started crawling just about two weeks after your 7 month "birthday", and you are allllll over the place these days! I'm pretty sure you just had a big growth spurt. Your six month clothes that were still fitting really good a couple weeks ago are super tight these days, and you grew out of every single pair of shoes we have for you. You are also getting really heavy for mama to carry around, but you don't seem to care. I'm pretty sure if I'd let it happen I'd be carrying you all day every day.

I'm still counting with you and saying the alphabet several times a day. You really love counting...maybe you'll like math? That would come from daddy for sure. We are also working on learning the word "no", since you are into anything and everything you can get your hands on. You are especially obsessed with the Christmas decorations I have on the TV console and the Christmas tree. I have to pull you away from those things probably about 37 times a day.

We've started reading more with you, and you seem to really love it. Sometimes it makes you laugh, and other times you just want to eat the books. I've also started telling you stories to entertain you sometimes and you really like that, too. Most of them are about Grayson, the most beautiful little boy in the world. I really hope I'm not giving you an inflated ego at such a young age...

You are eating SO much better these days, and I'm pretty sure it's because I stopped with the purees and have been letting you feed yourself. You get steamed broccoli and carrots and squash and sweet potatoes, and I usually give you little chunks of whatever I'm eating, too. You love to eat pretty much anything as long as you can do it yourself. If I try to put something in your mouth you push my hand away and grab it with your little fingers. I'm sure it's because I'm your mama, but I'm super impressed with how good you are handling small things like cheerios with your thumb and forefinger...the books say that skill doesn't usually come along for another month or two, so of course I think you're a genius.

You are a super healthy little baby, which I'm so thankful for, and you are getting so very big. Last time we weighed you you were just about 20 1/2 pounds, but I'm pretty sure you've gained another pound or so since then. You also look really tall! I'm excited to go to the doc next month to see how big you actually are.

Your personality is developing more and more everyday, and I'm afraid we've got a bit of a flirt on our hands. You love ladies, and they are guaranteed to get a little sideways smile and batted eyes from you every time. You are a silly little guy, and you laugh at the goofiest things. You make the funniest noises...all grunts and growls and squeals and squeaks. On the not so happy side of things, you've started throwing little fits when you want something or don't get your way. I know it's just you learning and asserting your independence, but man, I hope it doesn't mean you're going to be a tantrum thrower!

One of the best things EVER has finally happened, and it only took about 7 1/2 months: Addie has started playing with you. You've started chasing after her since you can crawl, and she just lunges and barks and growls at you...and you think it is the most hilarious thing in the world. It makes you laugh and laugh and it's seriously the cutest thing I've ever seen. Finally my babies get along!

Right now your favorite things are crawling around and getting into EVERYTHING, pulling up on any surface that will stay still enough (including peoples legs), chewing on basically everything that will fit into your mouth, trying to grab Addie's tail, trying new foods, baths and learning new things. You hate diaper changes (and they stress me out because you constantly flip over), being told no, and getting dressed.

You are truly one of the happiest, funniest, sweetest little babies I've ever been around. You give such good hugs and kisses these days, and everyone that knows you adores you. We always talk about the fact that maybe we're just biased because you're ours, but I seriously think you're something special ;) I'm afraid I'm just going to be one of those mamas....always thinking her little guy is the best thing around. I love you more than I ever thought was possible and more than you'll ever know. You're my favorite thing ever, and I adore you.

Love,

Mama