8 months. Happy Happy Joy Joy (7/08/11)

Elliana,

My dearest. We have had such an amazing month with you. And honestly, it can be summed up with one picture alone. This picture really shows you at it's finest.

This is all you. And I chuckle every time I look at this picture. I chuckled while taking the picture. And I can't wait for that day that you and I chuckle together while looking at this picture. I imagine you will ask me "Mama... why was I so upset." And I would say "Baby doll, sweetheart, you weren't upset. That's just the look of the month." You probably will ask, "What's that look." I would then explain to you about your "Sassafrass face." Which is that right there baby. You crinkle your nose, you flail your arms in the air, your body gets all tense, and then you make this whiney sound. What does it mean? "Mama. Pick me up! I want you." Yep. And there is no other way going about it. You turn on that sassafrass and you mean business. Hey, who's to blame you. You know what you want, when you want it, and how you want it. You get it from your mama ;)

It's amazing how much of a personality you have. How much you know. How fast you learn. How quick you pick things up. I am amazed day by day by your beauty, your wisdom, your perseverance, and your endless determination. 

I tear up imagining you growing up. Wanting to be independent. And not needing me as much anymore. I know that as mothers, we may struggle with this a lot. I know I will. But I hope you know, when you read these letters one day, that although you may not want to be my baby anymore... You will forever be my baby. And I will forever be your.

Sleep

• No changes here. You continue being a pro. Even when you got teeth, you never woke up once throughout the night.
• You take 2-3 naps a day, normally 3. First nap is about 2 hours. Second is usually 1-2 hours. And third is usually 30-45 minutes.
• Mama rocked you to sleep once this month, and you actually LET her! That never happens. 
• You start out on one end of the crib, and normally end up on the other.
• You continue to sleep with your angel care monitor. It's gone off a few times when you end up all the way in the corner of the bed, but quickly turns off once you move around.

Feedings

• Breastfeeding continues. You have blessed me baby girl and have made me so proud of the fact that we have come this far in our journey. I am now convinced we will make it to 1 year. I know that many moms cry or are upset about letting go of this when the 1 year mark comes... but I don't think I will be. I have loved breastfeeding, way more than I ever anticipated to, however, I think I will be at peace when that last day comes. I think. Don't quote me on that though.
• You eat a whole banana, oatmeal, and breastmilk combo in the morning,
• You eat 6 ounces of fruit for lunch.
• You eat 6 ounces of veggies for dinner.
• We are experienced with "non-pureed" food. Like strawberries, peaches, nectarines. Etc. Mama just watches you well and makes sure you don't get big chunks. I think you like this because it makes you feel like a big girl.
• Mama introduced puffs, yogurt melt, lil crunchies, and apple juice this month!! Yaya! You have adjusted well and absolutely enjoy this new world of foods.
• You normally have 1 snack a day, and 1 (4 oz) juice bottle... but really... it's only 1 ounce of juice and 3 ounces of water. {papa taught me this trick. smart father you have there

Weight

At birth: 6lbs 15 oz

2 weeks: 8 lbs (50th percentile)

2 months: 11.5 lbs (75th percentile)

3 months: 12.5 pounds based on our home scale (50th percentile)

4 months: 13 pounds 10 ounces (50th percentile)

5 months: 15 pounds based on home scale (50th percentile)

6 months:17 pounds 7 ounces (50-75% percentile)

7 months: no change.

8 months: 18 pounds (50th percentile)

Length

At birth: 20 inches

2 weeks: 20 3/4 inches (50th percentile)

2 months: 22 1/8th (50th percentile)

3 months: 24 inches (based on home measurement)

4 months: 24 1/4 (75th percentile)

5 months: 25 inches

6 months: 26 inches 1/4th (50th percentile)

7 months: 27 inches (50th percentile)

8 months: will come back to this

Milestones/Memories

• We had our first weekend away from you baby. Your papa and I went to your aunt and uncle's wedding, and you stayed home with your grandma and grandpa Pikus. It was hard for your mama (papa was okay because he wanted mommy time). But it was hard for me. Did I survive? Of course. Was it as bad as I thought it would be? Definitely not. You live and you learn. I missed you tremendously though, and told your papa bear no more vacations without our pumpkin. {Not until  you're like 20 okay.}
• We experienced our first  real people POOL experience! You love yourself some water. Super super super much. You love people watching{so does your mama and papa}. 
• You popped your first two teeth. They came at the exact time. Your two bottom ones. And your two top ones are right behind them. We think in the next couple of weeks.
• You learned how to crawl (1 day before your 8 month birthday). And we are so stinkin proud!
• You learned how to pull up on us, but can't stand for too long without our assistance.
• We went to Louisville for the weekend to hang out with your grandma and grandpa, and we all enjoyed that very much. You did so much better this car trip, I think you're finally up to the road trips.
• You say MAMA all the time.
• You have said papa.
• And you will say "baba"
• We are learning how to wave hi and bye. And how to say those things as well.

You...you...you...

• You love the water. Pool. Baby pool. Bath. You just love splish splashing.
• You love your mama a lot. You definitely favor me over anyone else. But you also love your papa equally. In fact, there are a few times that you have turned me down when being in your papa's arms. Okay, like once. But still... that was huge. Papa savored that moment. Who's to blame him.
• You love random things; baby wipes, remote controls, chip bags, cell phones, cable box, etc. Anything that ISN'T a real toy basically. It's like you're too cool for those things.
• You do love certain toys though; your "roll roll with me ball," your 
• you love your puppy dog 
• you love slapping, pulling, scratching faces
• still love sucking on those toes
• and absolutely love sucking your thumb (but very seldom these days)
• you love tearing up paper {and would eat it if mama let you}
• you love "signing time" and baby einstein "shapes" videos
• you love puffs and yogurt melts
• you drool all the time, still.
• you spit up from time to time, but it's getting better.
• you prefer to sleep on your tummy.
• you pose for pictures {mama so proud}
• you really don't care for strollers... you'd rather be held on walks {sassy}.
• you love to be held. mhmmm.
• you hold on to your bumper when you sleep... it's too cute for words.
• you love to bite mama {if you know what i mean}, and you look at me when you do, and then giggle. How are you this smart? And why do you insist on doing this?! I laugh too... even though it hurts.... which probably doesn't help the situation since you think that you are entertaining me {which you are by the way}.
• You have your birthday invitations sitting and ready to be mailed out {Mama is pretty excited}.
• You got slapped by your cousin this month {I totally just remembered this at the last minute}. He was sitting playing with you. I was sitting there too. And then he just kinda took his hand, and slowly slapped it across your face. He's 2. He didn't do it with force. You didn't cry. But I was shocked. Needless to say, aunt Becky was not very happy with him. But he just kept saying "sorry sorry sorry" so I felt bad for him.

Well there you have it Elliana. I hate to say it, but you are growing like crazy... and honestly, I'm loving every minute of it!!

You mean the world to us baby girl. We love you to infinity and beyond.