8 Months old (a late post)

Sorry gentle readers, I have been remiss. Evie suffered a cold, or what we think was a cold, about 2 1/2 weeks ago. A week into this cold, I than began to get catch it (so did Rob). After a week of feeling icky (sore throat, tired, stuffy head and ears), I began to feel better. OK, maybe not "better" but I was definitely getting around and functioning at work & home. Then WHAM! This past Saturday, I progressively lost my voice and went downhill quickly. I thought I had a sinus infection (don't ask or I'll give you all the snotty details) and I felt worn. Actually, more "abused" than worn... my entire body ached head to toe. By Sunday I was getting some chills and a slight fever. On early Monday morning I awoke to a nosebleed from all my nose blowing. I anxiously awaited my doctor's appointment that morning at 10AM. The doctor did a flu test, which came out negative, and she prescribed a Z-Pack to knock out whatever it was that now had me on day 10 of illness. I missed work Monday, Tuesday and now today, Wednesday, since I still sound hoarse, have coughing fits and it feels like someone punched me in the sternum.
Evie and I have been napping a lot lately and, unfortunately, both relying on Rob for our errand running and meal making. I plan to return to the land of the living tomorrow and with that..., enough about me, here's more about Evie's 8th month:

Evie! You've accomplished a lot this past month. So much, its all running together and I am realizing I really must jot these things down as they happen or I begin to forget how long ago something actually was.

You have 3 teeth now, well, almost. We can see & feel the top-most ridges to your bottom 3 teeth. Yup, 3 bottom teeth. I think the American Dental Society has said that babies get their bottom 2 "cutters", then the top 2 "cutters", and then it moves on from there. But not you. No - you went right for the odd numbers all at the same time. Smart girl - I love odd numbers. I also like your defiance against the general laws of nature. You're atypical kid, and I like it.

Besides my obvious obsession with your teeth, dad and I have also been fascinated with your sleep patterns. We've noticed how you like to really shift all over the place during your naps so, as of late, we bought you warmer PJ's and got you out of the sleep sack at night. I admit, it worries me when you have moo-cow (he's a small square blanket with a cow's head) covering your face. I have occasionally woken in the middle of the night to check and put him off to the side. But, I am finding that you like to bury your face. You also like to sleep sideways or in the corners with your feet up on the bars. You like tight spaces. You also, for some reason, gravitate to the spit up pad like its a small bed within a bed. Do you like terry cloth texture? Do you prefer pink? Do we maybe just need to change the sheets more often? Here's a series of pics taken weekly throughout February.


I haven't tried any more strange foods on you besides the avacado and hummus. I have begun "sharing" my morning cereal with you. I give you the milk off the spoon and watch it dribble down your face. You don't actually eat it but its become sort of ritualistic now. You got a little demanding this morning, in fact, but due to my sickness dad had to share his cereal. Its goofy, I know, but I remember wanting to do things the bigger kids/adults did even if I didn't get what they were doing. Its kind of funny to think of you holding a spoon and eating cereal someday soon. Its just as strange to think moments like that will then fade as you rush out the door to catch a bus. *sigh*, slow down mom....

You've clearly outgrown your bathtub. You can sit it up in it just fine, but you are beginning to look ridiculous. You look like Will Ferrell in Elf. I find that things like this just hit me. Things like how we need to move on to the next stage. Here you were splashing and splashing and then you began reaching out over the sides. I think its time I seek out one of those suction cupped seats for you to sit in. I'm excited for the upgrade; frankly, I'm sick of having to empty that tub and then letting it dry before putting it away. But is it wierd how I think of how much water its going to take to fill the tub? Is this a silly thought?

The weather is getting nicer and, with that, the sun is getting up earlier. And, with that, so are you. Let's be honest, we've all been slowly feeling the effects of the shifting daily time savings. You seem to want to eat earlier and a wee bit more (growth spurts?)for each meal. You are also into looking out the windows more and more. Birds are starting to sing and the South actually has a breeze this time of year. Trees shaking their leaves in the wind is a fascinating thing for you. So funny to think you've never seen such simplicities before.

Speaking of life's simplicities, you are mastering peek-a-boo. Dad will stand behind me and "pop up" from behind my shoulders while I hold you. You eagerly grin and slide from side to side anticipating when he'll pop up next. We also cover your face with a blanket only to have you tear it off while we yell "boo!". You absolutely love to be "frightened". The more sudden and scary we blurt out "boo!", the more you "huh, huh, huh!" laugh it out. Its all cute now but what if you like scaring the crap out of people like I used to do when I was 4? Oh geez, my mother's wishes are coming true...

You grab the dogs more. Before it was random eyeball jabs. Now, the dogs have been known to have their tails grabbed and yanked free of many hairs before they get away. You'll then look in between your fingers at the freshly scalped prize. Ugh. You love to grab and pull. You use this skill on everything from grass to mom's necklaces to daddy's neck skin to your plastic/electronic toys that play music awarding you for this behavior. You don't get how to pull things open, up or how to push yet. Just pull, yank and toss absent mindedly.

You scream when I trim your nails, its horrible. It makes my frail nerves over cutting your nails even frailer. I've only trimmed your big toes twice. I don't know what I'll do when your toenails begin to interfere with wearing shoes.

You still won't hold your bottle but you are eager to drink from cups (its a mess). You finger at your food once you are full. You are starting to develop a pincer-grip (cheerios soon?) but I am so fearful of giving you chewable food. Again, this is mostly due to the lack of teeth but also cause you tend to choke on your own spit. I think we'll talk to the doctor at month 9 and see what she says then.

You have, in the last 2 weeks, suddenly grasp that those things I have been flipping through and reading aloud are called books. And those pictures, have words that I am reading. This newfound knowledge just suddenly clicked with you one night and you seem more in tune with storytime. Finally, I'm not reading to a vegetable. ;-)

Everything goes in your mouth. EVERYTHING. You now LUNGE for things without any hesitation. I could be holding you with both hands and you'll suddenly fling yourself forward in feeble attempt to grab 1. paper 2. a remote control 3. a phone 4. a cup or 5. a string (as in, the string on my yoga pants or hoodie). Lunging began in month 7 but now its really like trying to hold back a 20lb muscle. You have no idea that you will fall, cut, burn, or otherwise damage yourself in your attempts to get something. *Suddenly I am realizing why all old people get more skittish about trying things the older they get. Its from experience.* You need to start konking your head and damaging yourself to learn why not to do these things. Just how does a mother let that happen? I don't know how to handle this lesson.

You love to chew paper. Dad and I went to Chipotle for lunch and he gave you the tissue paper off his plate. You loved it. Finally, sog-proof paper that you could gnaw on. It was ridiculous and slightly dog-like. And, it was all completely entertaining. Its nice letting you do ridiculous things that my mother would probably never let me do. I hope we continue on with letting our guard down on just a few things like this so you can explore your world more freely. After all, we want you to be creative and express yourself more and more the older you get.

New things in Evie's life this month ahead:

• Her first St. Patty's Day! Green formula? I might need to look into dyes and see if they are harmful...
  
• Her first Easter! Getting to pick out a keepsake basket will be fun, fun, fun! Next year - egg dyeing! OK, maybe this year!
  
• Grandma and Grandpa K will be here to visit - although not "new" its been since September that they were last here. Do you think she remembers?
  
• Her first visit to the Financial Consultant to do TAXES! Yeah, Evie's a tax break! Let's hope the wait is less than 1 hour this year...

Recent nicknames:

• Piggle-Wiggle has been shortened to Pickle (ask Rob, not me)
  
• Evie-Pie is often shortened to Pie (OK, that one is mine)
  
• Piglet (still)

What's with us and the P's?