8 Months

Dear Noah,

You are 2/3rds of a year old. My, oh my, how time does fly. This past month has just disappeared in a whirl of laughter and a few tears. Why the tears, you ask? Because now you have learned all about frustration. You want to crawl so badly, so very badly, but you're just not quite there yet. And when I place your toys out of reach to encourage you to move towards them you howl in irritation. It takes all I have not to sweep you up and snuggle you to stop the tears. But I don't because you need to learn how to get to your toys on your own. I suppose this isn't a lesson for you as much as it is a lesson for me...a lesson in restraint. You've figured out that you can mostly roll to get where you need to go. And I've now heard of a number of babies who have gone from rolling to walking, so all is not lost.  I'm patient.  Most of the time.

Noah, you're a good baby. You really are. This past month you took your first plane ride and you rocked it out. You didn't cry once and spent most of the ride playing on my lap and dozing. And even the hour time change AND daylight savings time change didn't faze you too much...so all those things I ever said about you being naughty, I take them back. You loved splashing in the pool and squeezing the sand between your toes. And of course your grandmother made sure you had on SPF 70+ plus a hat, plus a shirt, plus a pair of shorts, plus socks, plus a winter coat (I kid, on those last two at least). We had so much fun spending time with your great-grandmother, grandmother and aunt. You are very loved, little boy.

There were lots of other fun times this month. We had a couple of nice days that we spent at the park with our new friends, playing on the swings. You're enamored with older children and especially the "big boys" at the park. My guess is they're not a day over three but you find them so intriguing. You'll stare at them with big eyes and your mouth wide open. It's adorable to watch. Soon enough you'll be a big boy. You're already on your way and far too quickly for my taste.

(I AM wearing a bathing suit.)

You're fully into solid foods and loving everything you're offered. I think you even had a little taste of frosting off your papaw's birthday cake...and I think I know who the culprit is on that one :) You'll be trying meats soon so get ready! A whole world of taste is on the horizon. And you will eat beef...no matter what your father says. I cannot let you go through life without knowing the beauty of a well made hamburger. But we'll start easy with chicken and turkey.

You're doing such a great job putting weight on your legs again.  For a couple of weeks, I was worried that your leg wasn't healing from the break but it seems that you're getting your footing (ha!).  The break did put you a little behind in your development but I'm not worried.  We're taking a swim class to 1) get you familiar with water and 2) give your leg a good workout.  I think I'm more scared in the water than you...at our class this week you took your head and splashed your face right into the water!  I pulled you up not even a second after and you were sputtering and smiling and gasping for breath.  And then you tried to do it again but I was much faster than you.  Soon enough you can be a little fish but for now, can you please just follow the teacher's instructions and work on kicking your legs?  And stop giving me a heartattack.  

You're an amazing little boy, Noah.  Thank you so much for being you and coming into our lives.  It is all just so much sweeter.   Happy 8 Months, my love.

Love, 

Mama