Happy 8 Month Birthday, Buddy!

Our little guy is 8 months old, and I just can't believe it! Where did the time go? Every now and then I get a flash of something that he used to do when he was younger (rooting around on everyone's shoulders for food, only a single "goo" sound per day, barely sitting up on his own--I would stash pillows all around him "just in case" because I was also usually standing by, ready to catch him before he'd hit the pillows. How far we have all come!), and it seems like a lifetime ago. Now I feel like we have a little boy. As I write this, I am watching him play with his toys on the ground, and it is amazing to me how easily he gets around, sitting, rolling forward to start crawling, standing up with assistance from the furniture or a big toy. He concentrates on one activity for a while, then moves on when he's bored, or something catches his eye. Exclaiming "uh Di da di da daa daa" through it all.

JJ is still such an agreeable guy. He is eager to share his smile with everyone, which I love!

Here are some general updates:

Weight: approx. 20 lbs
Foods JJ Eats: apples, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, parsnips, broccoli, butternut squash, bananas, rice cereal
New behaviors: quietly playing in his crib when he wakes up from naps (not crying immediately), running (what is really fast crawling called?) for the cat food bowl--and looking over his shoulder to make sure Mom is chasing him, sitting well at his play table, putting toys in containers and taking them out, standing for 3 seconds at a time, cruising along furniture with dexterity
Working on: Using a sippie cup, standing on his own, ability to hit buttons with better precision

Foods on the list to try soon: spinach, avocado (if Mom will share with him), green beans, white potato, meats!

JJ is really excited about Christmas, and loves all of the paper, tape and RIBBON!! And here are some pictures.

JJ helping me decorate the tree!

And also helping me UNdecorate the tree--the first ornament he removed to gum. 

Playing

My friend Tracy from high school was in town, so we went to dinner with some friends of hers. We had so much fun!

JJ sleeps in the corners of his crib. Usually he has removed his blankets by this point, but this was a rare shot of blanketed JJ sleeping.

He fell asleep sitting up in his crib and then just fell forward to actually sleep. THIS is why we must keep bumpers up in his crib (NC suggestions be damned!)

And JJ playing at his new table (an early Christmas gift from GG and PopPop). He is pretty cute at it, and loves "putting together" his puzzles.

Dangling feet are so sweet!

Happy 8 month birthday to our sweet boy! We love you more than you know, and so enjoy watching you grow! You will do so many great things! We can't wait to see what your future brings!