8 Months!

Sam is 8 months old and a greater delight to his parents every day.  He celebrated this month by:

- going on his first flight to see family in Seattle.  He was a trooper through layovers and delays, and he loved meeting all his West Coast family!

- eating!  He consistently downs at least 1 jar of food for lunch and 2 jars at dinner.  Mom also has to be ready with some quick finger food in case she's slow getting the spoon to his mouth between bites!

- asserting his will.  This month, we've seen Sam cry when he doesn't get what he wants.  He's pretty quickly distracted, but he's starting to make his wishes known.

- beginning to crawl.  He's not quite there, but he's learning that he can be mobile.  Today was the first day that he began to get into things that he shouldn't get into; these things are also known as things that Mom should have put away earlier!

- babbling.  We're hearing much more "ma-ma-ma-ma" and "ba-ba-ba-ba" these days.  He doesn't use them to mean anything - or anyone - in particular, but he loves to hear himself.

- going to the nursery.  Sam went to the church nursery for the first time last week, but he's been going to the nursery during Mom's Bible study for awhile now.  The nursery ladies continue to comment on how easygoing and laid back he is.  Last week when I picked him up, 3 other babies were screaming while Sam happily played on the floor.  We're thankful for his sweet disposition!

- loving the bath.  All we have to do is show Sam his little blue bathtub, and he gets excited.  When he's in the bath, he loves to gather all his bath toys and hold them at once.  Heaven help the mama who tries to take a toy away!  He still likes splashing and complains loudly when bathtime is over.

- having fun!  Sam continues to love jumping in his jumper and going outside.  We left the stroller at Honey and Poppy's by mistake, so walks have been a little more challenging (using the ErgoBaby), but he still loves every minute of it!  (It's probably just more challenging for whoever has the 16 pound baby strapped to them in 80-degree weather!)

Happy 8 months, little buddy!  We love you!