Emily Mae: 8 Months

Emily Mae Richards.  You have been holding out on us!  Seems like you have been storing up a year's worth of "firsts" for just one itty bitty month!  You have certainly kept us on our toes during your eighth month of life!  Here are some highlights:

• Towards the beginning of your eighth month, we found you sitting up in your crib!  You did this all by yourself, and we were so proud.  Just to be safe, we went ahead and lowered your crib.  We chuckled at how premature we were being, but we did it anyway.

• The same exact day, you scooted across the floor and marked your first crawling on the calendar!  Of all things in our house that you seem to adore, the first thing you crawled for was a dirty tissue.  After that, we got you to repeat the event by crawling to your hair bow.  It became official, you were mobile...slow, but mobile.

• We also started giving you little finger foods this month.  You started with Puffs, and have also tried MumMums.  You do better if the food is large.  I also gave you bites of banana that wasn't pureed!
• Not one week after we lowered your crib, Daddy went in to get you, and found you standing up.  Good thing we were being "over-cautious!"  You grinned from ear to ear, proud as can be.
• You have started trying to mimic the signs we do for you.  Thus far, you have signed "Eat" and tried really hard to do "Milk." 
• You can say, "Hi."
• You cut your very first tooth, two days before your eight month birthday.  It is your bottom right tooth, and its neighbor next door isn't too far behind!  You really weren't too fussy about it all.  It definitely didn't interrupt your sleep, but you were a bit more clingy and cranky than normal.
• By the end of the month, you are crawling wherever you want, though you are often more content to sit or stand.  You are pulling up on anything you can get your hands on, which makes us think you will be walking sooner than later.  Guess we'll see!

My sweet little nugget!  We are loving all 22.5 pounds of you this month!  It seems every new day brings something new to your life!  You are changing and growing right before our eyes!  We love the twinkle in your eye and joy in your heart that you so gladly share with those around you (as long as mom and dad are close...VERY close by!)  We can't possibly imagine life without you, and love your snuggles at night!  Slow down little girl! You are our last baby, and we'd like it to last just a bit longer!!

Love,
Mommy