8 months

We look forward to the 4th of every month this first year because that is when Matthew reaches another month older. Happy 8 months to Matthew and Happy Independence Day to America. By the way Billy and I have been watching "America: The Story of Us" It's very interesting. Makes me wish I had retained more from school.


Sleep:
He sleeps 12 hours at night from 7pm to 7 am still he does have more days with 2 naps rather than 3 during the day




Clothes:
He easily wears 9-12 month size and can pull off some 12 months. I had him measured for shoes and he is a size 4. He does have sweet little pudgy feet so he needs wide width. Size 3 diapers. We know he's at least 20 pounds from our Acute Care visit, not sure on the length. His next well baby visit is at 9 months.


Food:
He eats five times a day. Meal one- 8 oz bottle. Meal two-rice and 8 oz bottle. Meal three- stage 2 or 3 food (veggie and rice mix) 8 oz bottle. Meal four- fruit with 8 oz bottle. Meal five- 8 oz bottle and rocked to sleep. He does finger foods much better. He's been waking up once in the middle of the night for a bottle, sometimes (like last night at 11 and 4 ) twice. He got his first tooth in last Monday. Mommy has officially stopped pumping. There is enough stored in the freezer to keep him on 40 % milk/ 60% formula if he stays at the pace he is now until about 10 months old.


Socially:
Very curious about everything, will still let anyone hold him with out fuss. Giggles at games like peek a boo, zerberting, being upside, carried sideways, being pumped like iron from daddy. Matthew and I stand and wave/ blow kisses to daddy when he leaves for work every morning. I've seen his hand open and close while I do this now. Lots of swim time at the pool to escape from the heat early in June



Developmentally:

Can pull up to standing with the furniture independently.
Gets himself in to and out of a sitting position
Army crawls anywhere he wants to go.
Tries to mimic our facial expression, sticking tongue out, etc...
Everything goes in the mouth
Doing much better on the 'happy spitter' thing
Word recognition wise, when I say hungry ( as in asking him if he is), he stops crying. He's done this a few times.
He smiles now when we start playing patty cake, twinkle little star, abc's, pretty much any song sung to him.
Has become very focused on an object he wants and crawls to it. If we detour or try to distract him, he goes back to the 'no-no' now... up to 6 times
Babbles to himself


Mommy/ Daddy Highlights:
Mommy went to see "Little House on the Prairie" the musical
Cousin Joan came to stay with us for a week
Daddy taking Linux tests and got a raise.
Daddy's First Father's Day with Matthew