Month Eight

Dear Amelia,

Today you are eight months old. You are becoming more independent with each passing day – you are such a happy baby, and I enjoy watching you grow and learn. Just last week you started wearing 6-9 month clothing (although you still have to wear 0-3 or 3-6 month pants). Your hair is slowly growing – it looks auburn in the sunlight and almost blond when we are indoors, but I think it is going to turn out to be a very light brown. You still only have one tooth, although I think another one is on it’s way – your gums seem to be bothering you a lot these days. You enjoy making noise, and you love listening to your own voice. Our house is full of high pitched squeals these days!

You are a genius at scooting in circles. When we are playing in your room and you are on your belly, you can turn yourself any direction you want – especially if you are looking for a toy! One afternoon you were (supposed to be) napping in your crib when I heard you start to cry – it wasn’t your usual I’m-whining-so-I-can-calm-down-and-go-to-sleep cry but an I-AM-SO-SCARED-MOMMY-PLEASE-COME-RESCUE-ME cry. I rushed in to see what was wrong and I saw that you were terrified because you had rolled from your back to your belly for the first time! I picked you up right away and held you close, whispering into your ear how I was so proud of you. Since then you’ve done it half a dozen times – all while you were alone in your crib and you cried each time. I’ve tried to get to you do it when we’re together, but you haven’t shown me yet.

When I strap you into your highchair I say “arms up” and you put them up so I can fasten the tray. I love feeding you – it is so fun to see your eyes light up when you take the first bite of one of your favorite foods – sweet potatoes are always a big hit, as is zucchini. Your absolute favorite thing to eat (at the moment) is plain yogurt mixed with multi-grain cereal and a dash of cinnamon. You say “nom nom nom” when you are eating something that you think is particularly tasty – it seems that you like to narrate your meals! You are getting better at eating “finger foods”, and many times I put you in your high chair while I am making supper and give you some fruit/veggies/pasta/cheese/bread to play with. I gave you half of a banana about a week ago and you loved it. Sure, it made a huge mess, but it was worth it to see your smile.

Whenever you get excited about something you kick your feet a mile a minute. You kick in your crib as I am trying to get you out of your SleepSack, you kick on the changing table, you kick in your highchair, you kick in your car seat . . . Daddy is wondering if you are going to be his little soccer star! Sometimes you scrunch your nose when you smile and giggle. I think this is absolutely amazing, because you are imitating me! It seems that you noticed that I sometimes scrunch up my nose when I am smiling at you. Incredible! You are able to communicate with us more each day. You lift your arms when you want to be picked up, and it melts my heart to see you “ask” for me or your daddy. A few weeks ago you started waving, and now you want to wave at everything and everybody.  You also LOVE playing peek-a-boo. That game is a guaranteed way to get a laugh out of you!

Each night before your bed time feeding, Daddy comes into your room as you and I are sitting in the rocking chair. He gives you a hug and kisses the top of your head, and just as he is about to leave the room he blows you a kiss. You always turn towards the door, waiting for that kiss – once you see it you smile and turn back to me, ready to nurse. Every so often you stop nursing to blow softly in my face. Your breath is milky and sweet. When I blow lightly back you smile and resume nursing, reassured that I am there. I will always be there for you, Sweet Girl – always.

Love, Mama