Happy 8 Month Birthday

November 13th marked 8 months for Kiss and Cookie and a few more than that for GramA (it was her B-day too).

At 8 months Kiss is movin' and shakin'! Last month she was just starting to get on her hands and knees - and now there is NO STOPPING HER!! She began with this funny Hippity Hop move where she would sit on her bottom and bounce up and down. This move would get her pretty far - considering. Then she discovered how to go from lying to sitting to hands and knees. Currently she is doing a 3 point crawl. Both hands are down, one foot is on the ground and then one knee is on the ground. It makes for a slightly unusual means of locomotion...but man can she get around! It is time to baby proof the house - from top to bottom!!
Independent as all get out - she is all about finger food and feeding herself (cleaning her up after meals is a full time job). She MUST have something in her hands while sitting in the highchair - or screaming will commence. Her favorite foods right now are anything she can pick up and eat herself. (side note: Dad has been feeding them lemons - NOT a favorite food, but funny to see their reaction).
Kiss is pulling herself up in her crib and "cruising" along the railing. A 8 month birthday gift was lowering the mattress! Speaking of cribs - no more night time bottles and we are getting closer to sleeping through the night! Maybe by 9 months (I dare to dream the dream!!) Her favorite toys are electrical wires, grass and her giraffe from Auntie N. She weighed in this month at 19lbs!!!! WOW. She continues to babble and "talk" and is an expert raspberry blower. She loves to explore what new noises she can make. We can't wait to see what new noises this month will bring!

Mr. Cookie is not quite moving or shaking, but he is rolling!! He now loves to sleep on his tummy or side and can get into these positions all by himself. He is still not very interested in crawling or pulling up, but is getting more sturdy in the "sit" position. He rarely falls backwards anymore! Plank mode is still in full force, but he is getting the idea that sitting is pretty fun too! He is such a smiley happy soul and if you tickle his belly he will laugh and laugh! He loves to sit on Daddy's lap and is an expert cuddler.
Is is "talking"up a storm lately and is still as drooly as ever. We love to hear his little voice and his big belly laugh. Cookie still makes his Wookie noises, but is also trying out some raspberries and other sounds too. My favorite sound remains his terrific laugh.
Cookie weighed in at 20lb's and has the tummy to prove it. It is hard for me to think that just a few months ago this kid was barley 5lbs! Cookie still doesn't like to hold his bottle, but he is getting more interested in feeding himself. He likes the Baby Mum Mums and the Gerber Stars (especially if you put the star in his mouth for him). He is getting better about texture and doesn't "gag" nearly so much anymore. He loves chicken and barley baby food and green peas. Smoooth is still best please!

We discovered that he really likes to be read to and to look at books. We have always tried to read to them, but Kiss is not interested in anything but eating the book (or maybe banging it on the ground). Now we have some special Cookie book time everyday where he can cuddle and look at books. It is an awesome new addition to our days. Cookie is as sweet as always and at the ready to hand out smiles. He is a joy in our lives.

Kiss and Cookie have truly discovered one another and will now play and share toys (Definition of sharing to 8 month olds: Kiss takes Cookie's toys - Cookie lets her) and laugh and have fun together. Amazing to watch them grow independently and together.

Happy 8 month birthday Kiss and Cookie. We love you so much. You are the joy in our days and the light in our lives.