8 Month Letter

T,

Tomorrow you turn 8 months old and I cannot believe how much you have grown. Each day that goes by I think I couldn't love you more than I do this day and in this moment, but then the next day comes and I love you even more. You are such a big boy now and are willing to try so many new things. It is so amazing to watch you learn new things each and every day. Just yesterday you figured out how to not only open the coffee table drawer (you've been doing that since Gamma Herding was here and taught you in Feb.), but then lift yourself from sitting to standing by grabbing on to it. You have amazing upper body strength for your age.

Other things you are doing now include:

Foods
* You are eating all stage two foods, including Gerber puffs and cheerios (you even ate cut up green beans a couple of nights ago).
* Veggies are by far your favorite foods...sweet potato, squash, green beans, peas and carrots are all a hit.
*We started yogurt a couple of weeks ago and you are eating that like a champ too!
*You like all different flavors and mixtures of fruits (mashed bananas and avocados are not your favorites).
*You love your sippy cups of water or apple juice at every meal.
*You enjoy sharing your puffs and cheerios with Cooper since he is sitting right beneath your high chair at every feeding :)
*You stopped nursing at 6 months and now are on full formula bottles (5 ounces every three to four hours).

Sleep
*YOU ARE SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! We put you down at 8 P.M. and you wake at 6ish A.M. for a bottle and then will go back to sleep for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. It is awesome!
*You take an hour to hour and a half morning nap from 9:45 - 11 ish and then sleep from 1 -3 in the afternoon.
*You put yourself to sleep now. You were done with being rocked, so Mommy and Daddy lay you in your crib with your passy and lovey and you put yourself to sleep! YAY!

Motor Skills
* You are rolling all over the place now.
* You can go from sitting to hands and knees, to tummy, to rolling over.
* You can pull yourself up from sitting to standing and kneeling to standing.
* You are trying to crawl...rocking back and forth on all fours, but get further on your tummy.
* You love standing and walking with people and your walking toys. You could do this all day long and be happy.

Language
*You giggle, laugh, scream and baby talk all the time.
*We have just started sign language and are working on 'more' and 'all done' right now.
*We still haven't heard Dada or Mama, although you say mamamama all the time when you are tired and fussy.

We aren't sure how tall you are (by our not-so-accurate measurement) 27 inches, and you weigh 21 pounds. You have your next well-check appt. at nine months so we will get good stats then. You have been such a healthy baby (knock on wood). Mommy and Daddy are so blessed.

Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to many more accomplishments and 'firsts' in the next few months. I think Daddy is more than ready to have to walking so he can get you outside playing ball as soon as possible. Mommy on the other hand, is more than okay with you being a baby for a little while longer. She enjoys those baby hugs immensely yet! I love you so much Torin Patrick.

Love,

Mommy