8 Months Old - June 22, 2010

Dear Emily,

You are now 8 months old and my love grows for you every single day. I keep wondering, how much MORE can I love you? I feel like my heart will eventually explode! You are growing and changing every day...

You weigh 15 lbs, 12 oz. Not sure what your percentiles are, but we will find out at your 9 month check up. Over all, you are a petite little girl - everyone calls you a doll baby. =)

I know how much you weigh this month because I took you to the doctor for the 1st time outside of a normal baby check up! You started running a fever and were just not acting like your normal, happy self, so I took you in just for safety. But, you were totally fine - no ear infection, no anything. Maybe teething?

You did get your 1st little cold this past month though...in fact, we ALL got sick with the same cold soon after coming home from the beach. Thanks to Abby and the Luckey family. haha! I guess that's what happens when you live with them for a week (while at the beach). It was just a cough and running nose. No fever or anything.

You are sitting up a lot better, but I still have to put a pillow behind you in case you fall over.

Food...Well, it's getting easier, but you are still challenging to feed. We moved you from the bouncy seat to a high chair seat and that has helped some, but you just are not very interested in eating (other than nursing). But, they say.."food is just for fun, until one." =) Hopefully, you'll start eating better soon!

First time sitting in your booster seat at a restaurant...

Then, mommy got you a high chair/stroller cover and now you get to seat in the restaurant high chair like a BIG!

You are the SWEETEST baby in the mornings when I wake you up. It's one of my fav parts of the day! You just smile and kick your feet sooo hard. You are so glad to see me!

Every time I wake you up (from a nap or in the mornings), I always have you sit up for a minute. You love this!

We are moving right along in swim school. You are having a little more fun with it - smiling more and kicking your legs. We even dunked your head under water for the 1st time and you did great! I was so nervous to do this, but you held your breath and closed your eyes! I was so proud! I think you'll be a great swimmer! Daddy was MOST scared to dunk you - he made fun of Mommy for not doing it very good at 1st, but then when it was his turn, he was to afraid to do it! haha!

Besides swim school, you also get in your little pool in the backyard some. You seem to enjoy it for a little while, but just aren't splashing around in it just yet. Harlee loves to jump in with you - she LOVES the pool!

You went to your first soccer game this past month..to watch Daddy play. By the looks of this picture, I don't think you were very impressed..haha!

Daddy had his very 1st Father's Day with you. Mommy thought it would be fun to dress you up in soccer gear and make him a card. You were NOT having much fun with this little shoot as you can tell from the pics.

Fun fact - Daddy and I bought this soccer onesie before we knew if you were going to be a boy or a girl - I TOTALLY thought you would be a boy and thought the onesie was cute, so we bought it. Maybe you'll have a brother one day that can wear it. =)

I took you and Abby's pics together for the 1st time this past month...well, had your first "planned" photoshoot for you and Abby. We bought Pawpaw a canvas print of you and Abby for his 1st Father's Day as a Pawpaw. It was soooo funny watching you and Abby interact. You girls are starting to notice each other more and more. Guessing...Abby Grace might run the show! haha! Guess it's sort of pay back because I bossed your Aunt Lisa around for years when we were little. =)

Speaking of Abby Grace, we celebrated her 1st birthday this past month too! Can't believe she is already a year old! Time is going by sooo fast!

We are STILL nursing and doing well. You have stopped biting me so much and still don't have any teeth (thank goodness for me). You are eating 5 times a day now and taking 2, 2 hour naps and 1, 45 min cat nap at night. We are about to drop a feed and a nap though - yikes!

You love to play...your fav things right now are your blocks, swing, and plastic rings. The swing is your absolute favorite thing! You start jumping with excitement in my arms when I head for the back door and laugh and smile so big the entire time you are swinging. It's so cute!

You also really like baby dolls...

And, you've found an interest in that large, black, metal thing that is constantly put in front of your face...

A fun facts...

You have a little bald spot on the back of your head. It'll fade over time, but I think it's so cute. =)

When you smile really big, you scrunch your noise...it's the cutest thing ever!

You curl your toes a lot.

You have the most gorgeous eyes...your eye lashes curl as though I curled them with an eye lash curler. Everyone you meet always comments on your beautiful eyes.

Every time you see a picture of yourself, know that mommy probably had a Gracie sitting on her lap while she was taking it...haha!

And, our Harlee is never far away either...

I can probably count on one hand the amount of times you've cried and I've NOT known what was wrong with you. You are the best baby! If you are crying, you are generally tired.

Generally, you are the sweetest and happiest baby!

You like paci's, but more for playing with them than for actually using them. You like your thumb most - I find it in your mouth almost every time I get you up in the mornings or from a nap.

You LOVE your Mimi. Sadly, you don't get to know her in person while here on earth, but you'll meet her someday. She is your guardian angel and is always with you (and Abby). We look at her picture every night before you go to bed. You always smile big and play with her picture. It's so sweet!

You've probably noticed by now, but Mommy LOVES taking your picture. You are just so photogenic and seem to like getting your picture made. I hope you always like to take pictures with me, but I know it'll probably get harder as you get older and more mobile. =)

Emily, there are no words to express how much I love you. You are my heart and soul..my reason for living. You have given me a purpose in life - to be the best mommy I can be for you. You make me want to be a better person - someone who you can look up to. I think twice about everything I say and do because I want to be someone you can be proud to call your mommy. I want the world for you and hope to help you obtain the world someday! Although, I feel as though I've already been given the world...I'm your mommy!

Love you,
Mama