Crazy Eights!

Dear Callan-
You are now 8 months old. Holy cow, how did that happen? This year has flown by at an incredible speed and I know it only goes faster from here. You had an amazing month, as you do most months, and each day is more fun than the last. You're at this point where you definitely aren't a baby and not quite a toddler, but you have tons of personality.

Your personality is so fun and I love imagining what it is you're thinking sometimes. You are so curious. Everyone comments on that -you hear noises and you'll immediately perk up and try to figure out where it's coming from. You see a speck on the floor and you need to investigate. A new texture or anything out of "place" you need to figure out. It's nice to know that you have good hearing and excellent eyesight, but does your exploration always have to conclude with you putting it in your mouth?!? You are definitely very tactile and love touching things, but why does the touching have to extend to your tongue? I try to tell myself you're just building your immune system, but when you tried to hoover the bottom of your tub to figure out what that blue spot was at the bottom (spoiler alert, it's the temperature gauge) I just thank my lucky stars that your dirty bath water was already drained.

You are a mover and a shaker and will.not.sit.still. Changing you used to be a quick and easy process, but now you are not content to just lie there. You need to sit, stand, crawl, pull up, roll over, really anything other than relax. You've been like this for awhile, but I was really hoping it was a phase. On the floor you love crawling your peg-legged crawl and you are such a boy and will crawl over, around and on top of anything in your way. You also love standing and trying to let go to stand on your own, but you're not quite there yet. You cruise on the furniture and on the gate, but you are a little cautious and it's funny to watch you try to determine the distance you can reach out with your other hand. There's such intense concentration that you can almost see the wheels turning in your brain -if only there were thought bubbles so we could see exactly what you are thinking. It's funny that you're cautious about that, because for everything else, you are a daredevil and have no fear. Given the opportunity you'd be willing to crawl right off the side of the bed, couch, changing table or anything where you could fall. Most babies love "flying", but your favorite part is when you fly and then the person pretends to drop you. Or when people scare you.. you will jump a little and you can tell you got scared, but then you'll start laughing.

Speaking of laughing, you are one of the smiliest, giggliest babies I know and I love that about you. Even when you're having a crummy day you still are able to let out a few laughs and smiles. It makes me feel like I'm doing something right. This past month has been crazy for me at work and I sometimes only get home to see you to bed, but those snuggles you give out are amazing and I hope you never get too old to do that. You've also learned to wave hello and good bye (we think) and you always wave with a smile. I love that. We're also trying to teach you to kiss and you sometimes will when prompted, but often times it's a messy slobbery kiss -we'll have to work on that! One of the funniest things you'll do is try to kiss someone through the slats of your crib or through the gate. I told your dad that it'll be a good skill to know when you're in jail, but he didn't think that was funny.

You're also talking/babbling a lot this month. You definitely have "mama" down and we think you're using it correctly as you'll often scream for me and once I'm there, you'll calm down. I guess that separation anxiety kicked in this month because you will fuss a bit when I leave you or walk away. I do know it is short lived because once I'm out of sight, you're ok. It's still tough for your dad to put you to bed at night or to comfort you when you wake up because you will scream for your mama and will not be happy until I arrive. You did manage to say "dada"a few times, but you're not saying it with the same consistency as "mama". You should really throw your dad a bone and start saying it more often.

Eating has been about the same. We consistently do dinner with you and you love food, especially finger foods. Given the choice between oatmeal/applesauce/yogurt or finger foods, you will pick finger foods every time. I think after Christmas you'll start doing lunch with Adelia because Luke will be starting lunch and I know you won't tolerate being excluded from the fun.

This month you got to see Santa. You are obviously too young to understand Christmas and the hoopla around Santa, but you were a good baby and we got your first picture. You had just woken up from your nap and you weren't up for smiling quite yet, but you didn't cry and you were definitely more fascinated with this guy with a beard. This year's picture was definitely more for mom (and the grandparents) than it was for you, but I'm glad we got it since I sometimes feel like we miss out on doing those typical "first" things.

I can't believe 2011 is almost over and that you're already 8 months old. Looking back on the past year, we (as a family) have been blessed with many things, but the one most obvious blessing has been you. You are a complete joy and it has been fun to watch you grow and develop, to see your dad be a dad and to see us grow as a family.

We aren't traveling to Boston or Montreal this year (for the first time) and although that makes me sad, I'm excited to start our own family traditions. They say Christmas is better when you have kids, and I know for sure my Christmas is better this year because of you.

Merry Christmas and happy 8 months bubs. You are the best and I love you. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings.

Love,
Mama