Ryan - 8 Months

Dear Ryan,

You turned 8 months old!! You are such a delightful little baby and you've really been making your presence known more than before. It was fun to watch you starting to clap, and we started doing Pat a Cake with you. You also learned how to raise both your arms up at us to indicate you wanted to be picked up, which has been so helpful! This has also enabled you to raise your own arms above your head in response to the 'how big is the baby?' game. Too cute! Your ability to move around on your own has increased -- over the past month you've worked on going from a sitting position to being able to twist around 180 on the floor, to go from sitting to your belly by 'diving,' then from being on your belly to also twisting around 180, and now you are doing 'push-ups' and pushing yourself backwards. I can see that you are getting ready to crawl all too quickly.

You and Jake have a great time together. I couldn't have asked for 2 sweeter boys. Jake gives you LOTS of hugs and kisses, and you take it in stride. Jake doesn't pick you up and carry you as much as he used to; you've gotten heavier and taller!

You have a bit more hair all over your head than Jake did at that age, but as you can see from this picture, that hasn't turned out to be a problem!
You love sitting in your red chair on the island with all of us, especially when we are all together for dinnertime. You frequently have avocado, apples, pickles, carrots, and other fruits and veggies, and occasionally salmon or beans, but at the very end of the 7th month we introduced you to O's (organic Cherrios) and you LOVE them and cannot get enough. You are actually a really good eater in that you are careful to slowly enjoy and mush up whatever is in your mouth before swallowing it.

I'm amazed at the amount of new growth I've seen from you this month! You really found your voice; I hear and see you babbling a lot, and have heard ba-ba-ba. You still think blowing bubbles is hilarious but what I think is funny is that your idea of kissing me is to bite me on the nose. With no teeth yet, that's fine right now but won't be for long. Besides, your jaw is getting stronger! For months now my nickname for you has been 'Little Love' because you are the littlest boy in my family whom I love.

Although I've enjoyed you so much this month, you have actually been in a 'Daddy phase' for the past month (and continuing). You want to be with Daddy every time you see him, which makes my heart melt. The only time you really want Mommy is when you're hungry or need snuggles, which is fine with me.

We've been having a very cold, wet spring (again) so you have been wearing the same pants and long-sleeved shirts for awhile now. Hoping that changes soon so you can start to get your first real experience of summer!

We love you, Ryan, so very much.