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!