Splish, Splash....

Ethan's taking a bath.

And he thoroughly enjoys himself, even when absolutely exhausted!

He's teething again. The pediatrician says that the gums around four of his top teeth are swollen. He's running a low-grade fever and he's lost weight. He's down to 15 lbs. and 9 oz.

But despite all this and the lack of a decent nap today, the kid is a happy boy in the bathtub.

Ethan at 8 Months

Ethan:

You are 8 months old! You weigh a measly little 16 lbs and 3 oz. and you're a tiny little guy. That's the 5th percentile. I have absolutely no idea how long you are, but I can sum it up in two words: "Not very"! You are still easily fitting into your 3-6 month clothes, and are just now starting to also fit into some of your 6-9 month clothes, but some of them just simply fall off because you're just so little.

This month, you've done a lot.

First we'll start with sleep. Mom got tough and let you cry it out a few nights because quite frankly, the waking up every four hours routine had gotten quite old and wasn't really necessary anymore. It was just a bad habit and it had to go. You're still not sleeping through the night, though you can, but now we're generally down to just one waking and that's closer to morning now. This time change has thrown you for a loop though. Hopefully that's temporary.

Second, you've been working so very hard on crawling. You are SO close to being able to crawl. You can get up on your hands and knees and rock and even move one knee forward, but you haven't quite got it figured out. I think I'm glad. Because once you do learn to crawl, I'm in big trouble! Something tells me you are going to be a very fast little guy and I already know you'll be into everything.

Third, you've finally mastered rolling both ways. For the longest time, you've been able to roll from your back to your tummy (which usually comes second) but then you've been stuck there. That used to make you furious, but then you accepted it and learned to love sleeping on your tummy. Toward the end of 7 months, you finally figured out how to roll from your tummy to your back and you now enjoy rolling across the living room floor to get places. You may not be able to crawl yet, but you can certainly move all around quite well...and quickly.

Fourth, you've been learning to wave. I haven't caught a picture of it yet, but I am absolutely certain that you are waving at me. Well, actually you're waving back at yourself, but you get the idea! It's very cute. You're also quite close to clapping, but you've got to open your fists first.



You've mastered this whole sitting up thing and though the picture doesn't show it, I'm thinking you might be a drummer like your Dad. You absolutely adore beating on anything and everything in your way, including whoever is holding you. It is seriously a hazard to hold you for very long.

You've gotten so much stronger this month too. At first, you could lift your head and shoulders off the ground just fine, but now you get your tummy and chest up too and you can balance yourself on one hand. I'm impressed!

You've decided to expand your food horizons quite a bit this month as well. You've been eating pureed solids for several months, but we're adding thicker textures, a lot more flavors and even some finger foods like cheerios, fruit puffs and bananas. I really think you would eat an entire banana if I would let you. You're pretty good at feeding yourself as well. You can pick up the finger foods and most of the time, get them in your mouth. It isn't always pretty, but it makes you happy and it gives Mom a break.

Oh and did I mention that you have two teeth? Yep...your first two teeth appeared right around seven and a half months. It didn't seem to traumatize you too much....let's hope that continues.

You're also doing a bit of babbling. I've heard you say "bababa", "dadada", mamama", "bob" (which you repeated clear as a bell after mom said it in reference to the cat) and lots of raspberries and other fun noises.




All in all, you've been a very busy little fellow and you're growing and changing very quickly now. I have a feeling this month is going to see quite a few more developments. I'm betting that you master crawling and moving from a laying to sitting position (you're close to doing that now). I'm looking forward to seeing what this month brings! We love you, little buddy!

Life: From Our Pets' Perspective

I like this:

The Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

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The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Jerks!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...

Today I'm stealing an idea from Bekah for several reasons:

1. I know she won't mind
2. Malott has accused me of not blogging enough and
3. I don't have any good ideas of my own right now

So, here are my answers to some totally random questions.

1. What's your favorite time of day and why? I love evening, when the sun is setting. Right now, it's a rough time at our house as both kids are just done for the day, but otherwise it's my favorite time.

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of? Easy...buckeyes! Seriously, it has everything I need all in one convenient tasty little ball. Sweet chocolate and salty (and nutritious protein-rich) peanut butter. It's all a girl needs.

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes) what would it be? I would wish to live in a perfect, sinless world. Then I wouldn't need any more wishes.

4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot? Hmmm...being soft-spoken has often gotten me teased...especially by my pesky brother-in-law.

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be? That's tough. I think I'd choose to be like Anne from Anne of Green Gables. I loved the simplicity of her life, the genteelness of the time and the setting. Plus, I think she and I would have had a lot in common. (Funny, I hadn't even read Bekah's answer to the travel question when I wrote this!)

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be? The ability to paint or draw anything I wanted. I can barely draw stick figures.

7. If money were no object, where would you go on vacation? Good question. I think I'd like to visit St. Lucia and Hawaii...and maybe the Mediterranean.

8. If you were an awesome singer, which genre would you sing? I honestly have no idea. But it for darn sure wouldn't be even remotely close to country!

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what would it be? Just one? Well, maybe Amazon.com. Is there anything they don't sell?

10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be? I've always thought it would be fun to be a pre-civil war southern belle. Of course, that whole civil war mess got kind of ugly....

11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be? Blue. A nice medium shade, not navy.

12. If you were one of the seven dwarfs, which one would you be? Sleepy. (But I wish there was a "Curious" option!)

13. What's the last album you listened to? Well, this is highly embarassing coming from a music major, but if I'm honest, it's "hits" from the Disney animated show "Phineas and Ferb". They are clever and funny...and sadly I know many of the lyrics. All kid music aside, the last album I listened to was Chris Daughtry's newest.

14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you? I know the lyrics to way too many Jimmy Buffet songs. I blame Andrew for that!