This month marked the transition from baby to person, for me. You officially feel heavy and sturdy and pre-toddler like. You have adorable rolls on your thighs (which actually have TAN LINES in the skin folds--hilarious!) and a ticklish spare tire around your middle and back. And I love you just the way you are. Some highlights...
- You love the sorting blocks. You love to dump them out and eat them and shake them and drum on the box. You never put them IN the box, of course. You also love the box of instruments. Today you played with the jingle bells for 25 minutes. I'm sure they're covered in slime, but who cares! It's fun!
- You've started to become slightly shy with strangers, but more in a flirtatious way than with trepidation. When strangers say hello (especially in the grocery store), you momentarily hide your face in your car seat or turn away. But you always come back with a smile. Always.
- Speaking of that smile, it will be a toothy grin before long. You've popped the first one through on the bottom left.
- And thank goodness for that tooth because solid food is your M.O. forever. You eat EVERYTHING that's remotely soft enough to stuff in your mouth, from breads to bits of chicken, fruits, cooked veggies, and even the tiniest taste of vanilla ice cream (MJ says, "yum, Grammie!"). Naughty. This confounds most people who hear of it. It's definitely out of the ordinary, but since the USA is one of the only countries that serves baby food purees in the first place, it's not that original. You were thoroughly unimpressed by the frozen (slightly thawed) blueberries, though. Too cold!
- When you're unclothed, you love to smack your chest, ala Tarzan. Cracks me up every time. (Your brother used to do that, too.)
- You're making a lot more noise this month: "Babababa" and "Brabrabra" (snort) and...wait for it..."Mamamama!" There are raspberries that soak your shirt, and funny noises you make when you're inhaling, and making a game of exhaling loudly. Also, fake coughing. Hilarious.
- We invented a little game on Easter/Passover where I lean into you and you ever so softly butt your head against mine. Then we both giggle. Rinse and repeat times infinity.
- When you're in my lap and facing away from me, you love to loll your head back and smile. And grab my nose. And
- Anyone wearing a necklace or earrings? Look out, because Miss MJ wants to eat them.
- You're a solid sitter now, and would sit for days on end. You show absolutely no interest in moving around. In fact, when someone rolls you onto your stomach (because you refuse to roll there yourself), you simply continue rolling until you're back where you started. It's an endless game. No idea if you'll ever crawl, get to a sitting position or pull yourself up. BUT. You did stand alone today, while holding onto a bench. And you thought it was awesome.
- Two more stellar plane rides to/from Arizona. You amazed everyone around you with your excellent behavior, even if you only napped for 30 minutes each way. You also did a nice job adjusting to the time change (after that first 5 A.M. wakeup call--ouch) and to all the disruptions to your normal schedule. It was worth it to go swimming and to your first basketball game, among other things.
- SWIMMING. "Holy quacamole," as your brother would say (yes, with a "q"), do you love the water. You sat in the zero depth entry pool and splashed for hours. Literally. You also loved the baby float we bought you. (This one--SO superior to the plastic ones that get hot and stick to the skin. This has mesh layers so you can actually interact with the water. Sun shade, too (not pictured).)
My favorite part is how much love you have for those who love you. You're my precious lamb.
Love,
Mama
http://www.zangzing.com/hannahrae/easter8-months
