8 months.

Dear Beckett,

I can't believe it, but you are 8 months old.  This has been a fun month!  Somehow, I finally feel like we are developing a rhythm, I'm feeling more secure in this mommy gig. Stressing less, laughing more.  And your personality is starting to come through more as well.

This month you took part in your first Fourth of July celebration.  We went to your Oma and Opa's, just like most years. Last year at that time, your aunt and I were both pregnant. This year, instead of one kid in the kiddie pool, there were three.  Yes, you went in the pool. That actually wasn't your first time.  We've been having the hottest summer in...I don't know how long...and we bought you a little pool.  You weren't sure at first, but you started loving it pretty quickly.  Good thing too since we started swim classes this month as well!  You are a water baby, my little man.  Once again, you were a little bit unsure at first, it *was* an awful lot of water, but now you have even started splashing.  You're a great floater and you love putting your face in the water.  More recently, your dad and I took you to the Spray and Play near the house.  I'm sure you'll enjoy it much more when you're able to run around. For now, we sat in some of the milder sprinklers and you still had fun.

We celebrated your cousin, Charley's, first birthday as well.  It kills me to think you'll reach that milestone too in just a short time.

Your Oma and Opa bought you a trike and you love it. For now, we push you in it, but someday you'll be able to pedal it yourself.  We went to the Farmer's market and pushed you around in it. So many people smiled and commented on you.  You're quite the attention-getter.

You're pretty good at sitting unsupported these days.  You're trying so hard to be mobile.  Not crawling yet, but you are a champ at pushups and while on your tummy, you pivot and wiggle your way around. All this activity has carried over to your sleep a bit and we did have some pretty serious sleep regression.  For a week or so, you were back to waking up every couple hours in your crib, always doing pushups.  After a short nightmare of trying to convince you to nap in your pack and play, we started taking a much more relaxed approach to your sleeping all around.  This has meant a lot less stress for me, trying to get you to accomplish what other people tell me you *should be* capable of and just letting you do what you are capable of instead.  We have started a more regular nap routine in the hopes of getting you to nap in your crib in the near future. For now you are sleeping on the couch, less than convenient, but progress from being held all the time!  If only you hadn't outgrown your swing so darn quickly...  With our routine though, you are typically asleep within ten minutes.  At night, you still start in your crib  and after your first or second feeding of the night, you still sleep with us. For now, your dad and I are still okay with this.  You've come so far already and I have to remember that.

Yes, you're still getting fed through the night, but you typically fall back asleep so easily that again, for now, I'm okay with it.  You do love your solids though!  You get two solid meals a day now and I think by next month we'll be at three.  You love yogurt. I'm still making most of your food. You've tried oatmeal, strawberries, bananas, several squash varieties, avocados, apples, pears, apricots, peaches, sweet potatoes and green beans.  The only things you haven't enjoyed are broccoli and peas. We've started some finger foods as well.

You are such a character.  We are starting to learn what gives you the giggles and it's so much up fun to make you laugh.  You like being tickled, or when we "eat" your belly.  You like playing the "I'm gonna get your..." game and "blasting off."  Recently you have started nodding your head like a bobble head doll and you laugh and laugh when we do it back to you.  You're a champion babbler when you want to be, but you spend a lot of time quietly inspecting things as well.  People often comment on how serious you look as you tend not to offer a lot of smiles to strangers.  I just laugh and say you're a thinker. 

Nicknames: Becks, Beck, Mister, Stinkerpants, Cuddle-lumpkins, Munchkin, Baby (original, no?)
Favorite Toys: Your Fisher Price Little People Superheroes, Moritz for car rides, Dieter for naps, anything that makes noise when you push buttons or bang it on the table 
Stats: We're guessing you weigh about 22 lbs right now... we'll find out the officials next month.  Size 9 or 12 month clothing.  You've moved into your big boy carseat.  8 teeth and we think there are more on the way...  I'm pretty sure that would mean molars.  Joy! 

Can't wait to see what the next month will bring, kiddo.  Love you buckets.