Dear Gabrielle (8 Month Update)

Dear Gabrielle,

Today you turn 8 months old.  Mommy has really enjoyed her time being home with you and is so thankful that time hasn't been flying by.  Although, I do look at photographs of you from when you were just a few months old and just how tiny you were.  It's bittersweet to see the clothing that you have outgrown.  It means that you're healthy and growing as you should be, but it also means that you're no longer the teeny tiny baby I once could snuggle up with whenever I wanted.  Hee hee.  One of the best gifts I have received is being home with you and your crazy sisters and watching your grow and change before our very eyes.

So what things are you up these days?

• Rolling over from stomach to back AND back to stomach.   You've even learned to sleep on your side, and on your back while in the crib.  Your sisters have such a great time watching you roll "laps" around the living room.  You entertain us all the time.
• You're starting to sit up without support.  We're not quite there yet, but we're working on it.
• You have sprouted 2 teeth now, and I have a feeling that you're on your way to sprouting some very soon with the amount of drool that's been happening.
• You really love your Exersaucer toy as well as your Pack n' Play.
• You're starting to recognize your name.
• You're testing out the volume of your voice and will just SCREAM for the fun of it.
• You love it when Daddy comes home from work each day.   Your face totally lights right up and how you smile.  
• When we say "Grace" before each meal, it doesn't matter what you are doing at the time, as soon as we begin "Grace" you stop what you're doing and you just stare and listen very attentively.
• You've taken a fascination to plastic cups...and bottles.  (Including Daddy's beer bottles).
• You have some very sweet belly laughs.
• You're down to 1 nap most days.  If you get up early enough in the morning, then there's time for a 2nd nap.
• You've added yogurt to your food resume and you have really enjoyed the Vanilla kind.  
• Mommy continues to make your baby food.   You've pretty much tried everything that Mommy can possibly make.  You're doing a much better job with green beans.   (You wanted nothing to do with them when you first tried them).  Mommy even tried to mix a little avocado in them, and you gobbled them right up.  Mommy's been adding mild spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to your pears or your apples.   You've really been enjoying them.  Our freezer door downstairs is quite colorful!  Your favorite is still sweet potatoes.

It has been such a pleasure to watch you change each day.  Your sisters have been home on Summer break for almost a full month now, and they have had so much fun choosing your clothing for the day, and changing your diapers.   (Yes, Samantha has been changing your diapers and she loves it). They really have been such a huge help and they do it, not only because it helps me, but they truly do love you.  

Don't grow up too fast now.   We love you!

Love always, 

Mommy and Daddy


Here is how I am looking today at 8 months old!