For Rory: Rory Keiko: 8 Month Update

Rory,

You are officially a mobile baby, which means I am officially exhausted at the end of each day. All you want to do is explore, and even though you have hundreds of toys, you seem to have a radar that leads you directly to things that are either a) dangerous, or b) messy. A few examples are extension cords, remote controls, flowers in vases, and mommy's coffee. Good thing you are cute.

Besides learning to crawl, you are able to stand for long periods of time and pull yourself up. (I wish I had your upper body strength.) Your two top teeth are also coming in, and you love to grind your top and bottom teeth, which drives daddy crazy. I think my favorite thing about this month is that you started dancing. We put your activity table on the music setting, and you go to town, pressing the buttons and moving your body to the music. You have also become quite a talented mimicker. When we blow raspberries or stick out our tongues, you give us a big grin and copy us. It's your favorite game, and I don't think you've ever been the first one to end it.

We are still going to the park, the pool, and story time a few days a week. On Thursday nights we like to go to the concerts in the park where you attract a lot of attention with your big smile and long eyelashes. Your auntie Tiffany came to visit this month and we had fun going on a picnic and exploring downtown.

You are eating solids three times a day and you can't get enough. It's like your stomach is a bottomless pit. You are a great eater with a very sophisticated palette. You eat quinoa and hummus, and you loved the perogis you tried at the Cherry Creek farmer's market.

In the past few weeks, you've become very attached to the giraffe that Auntie Whitney gave you. You sleep with it at night and for both naps. You're still not a big fan of the car, but you're able to go longer distances without crying. You take two naps a day, around 8 and 1. Your first nap is usually short, but your afternoon nap is close to two hours.

Days go by so quickly now that I am constantly running around after you. I love that you are becoming increasingly independent and opinionated. You know what you want and you are determined to get it. Your personality shines through in everything that you do. (And based on what I've seen so far, I'd say your dad and I are in for trouble.) I'm not sure when the shift occurred, but you are no longer a baby. You are a real person with thoughts and feelings and a mind of her own. Just last night you pushed away a toy I was trying to hand you, and crawled over to the one you really wanted. It's amazing how well you can communicate without actually speaking. I love that everyday I discover a new part of you. It makes even the most boring of days surprising and exciting. At night, when your dad and I are laying in bed, when we should be talking about anything but you, the conversation always seems to come back to you and how lucky we feel to have you in our lives. You are by far the best thing that has ever happened to us.

Sleeping with your giraffe.

Strolling at the park with Conrad.

Now that you have teeth, we brush them every night. (With a banana toothbrush and strawberry toothpaste that you end up just sucking from the tip. But hey, at least we're setting the foundation for dental health.)