eight months

James is eight months old today. I know I say this too often, but how did that happen? Time is going by too quickly. I'm trying to soak it all in, but he is changing daily, right before my eyes. This age is the best so far though. I am in love with him and everything he does at this stage. I spend my days just watching him explore and learn new things. He is so sweet, curious, funny, happy, and playful and I am having so much fun being his mom.

James at 8 months:

• blue, blue eyes and still bald. he has one little hair in the back that sticks straight up alfalfa style. but you can only see it in certain light.
• one tooth.
• crawling all over the place, mommy's little shadow.
• covered in little bumps and bruises from running into things (bad mom) and banging his toys against his head (how do i stop this habit?)
• won't sit or lay still for more than a couple seconds. these little photo shoots are getting harder to do. most of the pictures turned out like these . . .

• likes his toys, but likes kitchen utensils, diapers, decorations, baskets, books, drawers, bags etc. more
• likes to get into everything.
• almost sleeps through the night. usually goes down at 8 pm, wakes up once to eat, and wakes up at 8 am.
• still trying lots of new foods. favorites are butternut squash, applesauce, banana oatmeal and cheerios of course.
• loves bath time. it's the only time he doesn't lose interest in something after a minute or two. he could spend hours in there every night as long as he has his rubber ducky to chew on.
• happy and friendly. he really likes other babies and kids especially but pretty much anyone that pays attention to him will do.
• man of many expressions and moods as evidenced below . . .

• loves his daddy. he gets so excited when Steve comes home from school each night.
• likes to blow raspberries
• likes to talk to himself (or his little stuffed dog?) in his crib before he falls asleep and when he wakes up. 
• ticklish on his tummy and his toes
• my favorite part of the day is after dinner, bath time and changing him into his pjs. we sit on the rocking chair in his room and i nurse him. the room is dark with just a night-light providing a faint glow. we turn his sheep to ocean and listen to the waves coming in over and over again. after he nurses he will look right into my eyes and touch my face. we just gaze at each other for a minute- me in complete awe of this sweet little guy. then i will sing him a primary song and put him in his crib, where he rolls over onto his side and closes his eyes. i live for these moments with James. being his momma is the best ever.