Month 8

Dear Reid,

This month has been a month of learning (haven't they all?) for us Reid. I've learned stuff I already knew. Does that make sense? Stuff I knew but that hadn't really soaked in. Stuff I hadn't been practicing in real life - just in theory.

I learned that getting on the floor, on your level, every. single. day is crucial for both of us. It helps me see the world through your eyes... all the newness and excitement. I get down on the floor and you kiss my face with your open, sloppy mouth. You giggle more. I can watch you try to figure things out. I'm there to help you. In those few minutes each day, I've learned to let go of everything else and just be your mom. That's a big lesson for a worrier like me.

You've been learning to stack blocks (or anything for that matter) and enjoy putting things in a bowl. Speaking of which, bowls and spoons are some of your most loved toys.

You've also been working on moving the baby gate (the big laundry cart) between the family room and the kitchen so you can explore in there. You've loved checking out every nook and corner and have especially enjoyed splashing in Peety's water bowl.

It has really sunk in just how fast time is flying. The days are somewhat long at times but this year seems so short. Your dad and I have been talking a lot lately about how much you've changed, how tiny you used to be, how big and full of real person personality you are now. I've learned that makes me sad and yet so very happy at the same time. I've learned that's what a parent does. We hold on tight to the now but ultimately want to see you grow and become your own independent you.

I notice mom/son relationships on tv, at the store... I notice slightly older boys and am sometimes terrified but most the time I feel more at ease with you growing up.

I've learned I really don't worry that you're not doing some things other babies your age are doing. I'm most concerned with your overall well-being. I just love you kid - every little bit of you.

Thank you for the lessons and all the happy you bring to our days.

Love,
Mama

Highlights:

• You added a few new food flavors to your palette, including: orange, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and even mastered puffs. Oh, not to mention you had your first taste of lime and seemed to kinda like it!

• You still loved music and making noise. You get a major kick out of patting your hand on something that makes a new sound. 

• You wore size 3 diapers.

• You wore 9-12 and 12-month clothes... even wore a few 12-18 month PJ's.

• You took your first trip to Colorado to see Matt and Kelly. You went to the aquarium, saw your first fireworks show (for which you stayed awake until the finale... who does that?), and enjoyed the cats. You were a great traveler.

• You went to the public pool for the first time with Felicity. 

• You went to a cranio-facial specialist to have your neck and head shape evaluated. We got good news!

• We spent a week by ourselves while your Dad was in St. Louis for a conference.

• You teethed and teethed... getting 4 new teeth in (your top two and your bottom canines). You started working on 3 other top ones too but didn't quite get them in before the 8th month mark.

• You relied pretty heavily on your pacifier. I think it made your mouth feel better with all those teeth coming in.

• You continued to drink a 6oz bottle at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., eat solid foods between 5-5:30 p.m. and drink a 6oz bottle at around 7:30 p.m.

• I still offered you water in a sippy cup occasionally, but you rarely drank much from it. You mostly just wanted to chew on the cup.

• You started sitting up more - as long as you had a reason to sit still. Otherwise, you army crawled fast as you could all over the house.

• You went after cords and lots of other things you weren't supposed to go after, including Peety's dog bowls.

• Speaking of Peety, you find him SO funny and crack up when you look at him.

• You enjoyed standing up (with help) and stomping your foot.

• While Connie was on vacation, you spent one day with Aunt Cori and her girls and another with Aunt Kayla and her girls. (You spent the rest of the week with Aunt Darla and Uncle Darin but that was technically in month 8.)

• You continue to enjoy exploring, 'talking', eating, making noise, learning things, playing on the floor with toys, watching cars go by, and you light up when I pick you up from daycare.