Dear Mom

I often see posts from a mom to their baby chronicling their milestones each month. I thought I would turn it around and have James write me about his eighth month. These are things I don't want to forget! Hope you don't mind a "baby post".

Dear Mom,

Hey, so wow, I'm 8 months old. Can you believe it? I know, me either. Things were a little dicey there at the beginning, weren't they? I thought I would send you this note to remember my fabulous 8 month-ness, since I have noticed you have barely touched my baby book. No, no, I'm not judging. We've been busy. I just don't want you to forget any of my excellent stats.

I'm tipping the scales at almost 23 lbs. I know you would want to note that, since its the answer to the second question everyone asks you. (1. How old is he? 2. Wow, how much does he weigh?) You're welcome. I've noticed you can only carry me in your left arm...whats up with that? Might want to start lifting on the right side in the evenings. I think my growth is slowing down a bit so maybe we can start to get a little longer life out of my clothes. I'm rocking 12 and 18 month sizes, meaning you are pretty much out of luck on having any more cute teeny tiny gifted clothes for me to wear. Looks like we'll be hitting the mall (you're welcome on that too, seems to be one of your hobbies). I have been in size 4 diapers for a while, so hopefully you are getting some cost breaks on those, though oh how we chuckle when we see that the baby pictured on the box looks as old as a kindergardner, running with a backpack on and whatnot.

Listen, I'm sorry that I keep waking you up around 5 AM. I know its not really night and its not really morning either. But its just the perfect time for a little snack, you know? And you and dad are right there with that little bottle. Sure, I'll snooze a bit more but I get why you are so groggy when we wake up at 7. My bad. Other than that, I'm loving the early bedtime. I know dad hates putting me down right after he gets home from work, but you better believe when I am rubbing my eyes like crazy that I mean business. And I know I am napping very sporadically. Its just that, we're having a great day you know, and then I"m napping which is not really as fun as hanging out. So I like to get up after just an hour. Just long enough for you to relax before you hear my trademark squawks on the monitor. Those days when I only nap for 37 minutes? Oh, well I just feel like partying just a little harder. Besides, its fun to see you run in soaking wet when I interrupt your shower. Heh.

Really liking the current menu lineup. Those pureed blends you are whipping up are choice. My faves are the sweet potatoes and peaches, but as evidenced by my physique, I'm pretty cool with whatever you dish up. Lets see, right now we're having 3 7 ounce bottles a day (morning, 1PM, 6:30PM), plus my snackity snack bottle at 5AM if I feel like it. I would love to see my solid meals go up to three a day from two. Lets make that a priority in the next week or so, shall we? Just circle back with me to make sure we're meeting our goals and putting our best foot forward. Ooh, one thing. Those puffs? Whats the deal with those? I mean, so far I am thinking its a little game you are giving me, where I push them all off the table...but then I think something else should be happening? Cause you will put them in my mouth sometimes. Hmm. I don't get that deal. Lets table that until next month. Table, get it? I'm here all week.

The view from sitting is so much better than laying on my back all the time. I mean, the world is my oyster. Tearing apart your magazines, screeching at the top of my lungs, shaking my rattly fishy, gnawing on that old remote control. Life is pretty good around here. And hey, there's no hurry in crawling or all that activity. I see my peeps moving around, but it looks like a lot of work. You and me, lets just chill on the rug and read some books, you cool with that? That will give you a good vantage point to catch a glimpse of my two new pearly whites. Man those things are really a bummer to work through. I hope thats the end of that. I only need two teeth, right mom?...Mom?

We've been running together with that new stroller. Good for you. I mean, its not that much faster than our walks, but we get just enough speed to feel the wind ruffling my little hairdo. So nice to be outside, I love seeing those trees. Summer has just been the perfect time to appreciate the finer things: my natural rubber binky, learning to give open mouth kisses, holding a sippy cup upside down so the water dribbles out, splashing at the splash park, ripping your glasses off your face, oh the little joys in life. I am betting there is so much more good stuff to come, right?

We're really having a good time, the three of us. We're figuring things out together, I think. Its OK, I'll school you if need be. But I see the smiles you and dad have as I giggle when you chase us down the hall. Thats the good stuff.

8 Months already? No problem.
Love ya, JB