Month Eight

Skylie,

You are getting so big! On Easter your dad and I watched general conference while you played on the floor. You wimpered and complained and acted like you wanted to be with us. "Come here, Skylie," I called and reached for you. To my surprise you crawled right over to me. Then it hit me. You aren't my young baby anymore. You're getting more like a (big gulp) toddler than a newborn.

That's why last night when you fell asleep on me, I held you for over an hour--stroking your hair, holding your chubby fingers, and rubbing your back. You will always be my baby, but soon enough you'll be walking. Talking. Holding your own spoon. Doing so many things for yourself. And when that happens I don't think it'll be so easy to hold you while you sleep.

Someday when you're a mother, maybe you'll understand the worry I feel in regards to being a good mom to you. You'll probably agree that babies grow too fast. But more than anything, I hope you feel the same joy and complete honor I feel in my role as mother. It really is my dream job.
You make me laugh everyday with your quirky ways. You've got personality-plus girl, and I love it! At eight months you:

Are cruising. You crawl like a maniac and often walk on all fours--hands and feet--not your knees, which is hilarious to me.

Haven't taken a binkie for months, now.

Love giving kisses. Once when you were being babysat, you crawled over to 10 month old Kai, grabbed his face, and tried to go in for a big smooch.

Handled our car ride to and from Utah like a pro (as long as either your dad or I was sitting in the back with you). Your grandparents loved seeing you.

Pull yourself up on anything you can get your hands on and can stand without support for a few seconds. You love cords, outlets, leaves, cell phones, remote controls, spider traps (gross!)--pretty much everything that you shouldn't have.
Are a drama queen, especially when we try to feed you food that you don't love. You like to feed yourself, too.

Have a wild fake laugh. I L-O-V-E it!
Are constantly on the move. When I'm able to get you to cuddle with me, I bask in the moments because they come so infrequently. Two Sundays ago, I woke you up for church and you were super, super sleepy. You must've not felt good all day because you slept a ton and acted lethargic all morning. You cuddled and slept in my arms all during Sacrament Meeting, which never, ever happens.

Have slept horribly at night the last couple weeks. By horrible, I just mean that you've woken up once during the night quite often. I know it could be worse--much worse--but please sleep well.

Love the book, Where Is Baby's Bellybutton? and get super excited whenever we pull it out to read.
Went swimming and swinging for the first time.
Aren't a huge fan of most baby foods. I don't blame you one bit. Eat 4-5 times a day. Breakfast is between 7 and 8. Lunch is around 11 or 12. Dinner's between 3 and 4. Then you take a bottle at 8 p.m. and go right to bed. Are still long and skinny. I mostly dress you in 6-9 month clothes, but you still fit 3-6 month clothes.

We love you so much!

Mom