Dear Arianna (8 months)

Dear Arianna,

I cannot believe you are eight months old. Six months I can believe, but eight?! Where did the time go these last two months? We have been so busy that I haven't taken the time to enjoy your growth as much as I have wanted to. You did spend most of the last month sick though...Your dad and I have been so impressed with how happy you have been, even though you must have felt horrible. People kept commenting on it..."Wow she is such a happy baby" "Oh, she is such a smiler" or "Ahh...I got a smile!" I have heard this from strangers and family. It doesn't matter who a person is or how sick you are...if someone smiles at you, you smile back. You bring light wherever you are. 

This last month has been a battle with food. Your nose was so stuffed that you had trouble breathing while you were eating so we were lucky if you ate half of what you normally ate...and you fought me the whole time. We finally figured out that you wanted some space, so now we lay you on the ground to feed you, and you are liking that much better. Tonight you ate your entire bottle...I am so glad you are feeling better. 

You have discovered some new sounds and babbling. You say "Ma--Ma--Ma--" when you are whining and "Dadadada" when you are happy. You also discovered how to click your tongue. Your favorite sound is a high pitched "yayayayayaya." The only time that you are really quiet is when we are outside...then you just sit and watch, mesmerized by everything around you.

You have just started to get up on your hands and knees and rock, but you still prefer to roll to get to something. You have also figured out how to push up to a sitting position from laying on the floor. One night your dad went in to check on you and you were sitting up in your crib. You gave him a huge smile and started to babble away like it was morning...

You now have four teeth, 2 on bottom and 2 on top; I am sure that more are not far behind. You chew on everything you can get your hands on, including your hands and toes! As I said, this month we have fought over food, but you have started to enjoy graham crackers and puffed rice. You still love cucumbers, but now you eat little chunks out of the middle. 

We haven't measured you this month, but you can wear some 18-month clothes, and we had to buy you a new car seat! Last week you weighed 18 lbs 6 oz, which puts you at about the 70th percentile for weight. You are so long, people are surprised to find out you are younger than a year.

Ari, your dad and I love you so much. We feel so blessed that we are able to be your parents. You have already taught us so much. I love seeing your personality slowly emerge. I love the person you are becoming. I can't emphasize enough how much light you have brought into our and so many other's lives. We love you so much!

Love Mom
*We are having internet issues, there are more videos and pictures that I will post when it is working*