Blake's 8th month

To Blake:

The eighth month can be called the month of trying to crawl. As soon as you figured out rolling to get what you want, you decided that crawling would work even better. You were up on your hands and knees shortly into your eighth month and you've been there ever since. (Although your first "official" crawling didn't start until September 18th...two days into your ninth month, but who's counting?)

Your big achievement in crawling in the ability to move yourself backwards at a fairly rapid pace. The faster you do this, the more frustrated you become as the object of your desire gets further and further from your little hands. This also means you can do things like get stuck under the bed. Basically, we can't leave you alone now, otherwise, you'll be into something you're not supposed to be. (So far, the worst has been an errant pen that you used to draw on your face. Faith rescued you from this form of body art.)

As you've gotten closer to crawling, you've learned to get all the way up on your toes and hands, with your bum up in the air...the downward dog position for any yoga lovers. I have no idea how you do this without falling on your nose.


About two weeks into your eighth month, you also learned how to give wet, slobbery kisses. Although this should be really gross, Dad, Faith, and I can't get enough of it. But, you're kind of stingy with the kisses. You will only perform this trick on your own whim and definitely not at our command.

Feeding you is getting somewhat easier, and messier. You have developed enough of a pincer grasp now to feed yourself cheerios, bananas, and bits of cheese (although by looking at the floor, you still need to increase the ratio of food to mouth). This means you can keep yourself quite happy eating cheerios while we have supper, and this has made dinner times much more peaceful.

Your other big trick is the ability to spit out your food, generally onto me. (See a previous post for all the messy details.)

September marked the return of the school routine. So now, instead of bundling you in a Baby Bjorn underneath my winter jacket, you get thrown into the backpack for the walk to and from school. You are still charming the girls, although less so the last weekas you're recovering from a cold that you caught from your sister, and gave to me. Only a mother can find the amount of snot coming out of your nose cute...and I'm not that mother.

The best part of the day for you is when we pick up your sister. As soon as you see Faith, you squeal with delight. Or maybe I should say screech. Squeal sounds too cute for the ear-piercing sound you emit. You also like to emit this sound while sitting in your high chair. Frankly, it's kind of annoying but you, and Faith, seem to find it quite a delightful activity.

You're now on an actual schedule, which is great. And, it only took eight months to achieve. You get one morning nap, and one early afternoon nap, then one late afternoon nap, then bed by 7:00. Then you're up at 4:30 t 5:00 for something to eat, then up again at 7:00 for the day. So, I know longer look/feel like a zombie and everyone is much happier in general. Generally, we go for a walk after your morning nap to get a Globe and Mail or pick up some groceries. You tolerate these activities as long as the stroller is moving along, but you usually get bored by the end so I'm racing home before you have a total meltdown.

Anyway, in general you're entertaining yourself more and more now...which often means I'm scanning the floor for potential hazards as you work your way across the room. Things will start getting really interesting as your mobility increases, so for now I'll enjoy this somewhat peaceful interlude.

Oh yes. And I'll take whatever kisses you're willing to dole out.

Love,
Mom