Hi sweet girl,
Wow! Your 8th month just literally flew by. I'm sure it has something to do with the holidays. We're officially in 2021 now. Hopefully things will only improve from here on out with the pandemic. The holidays may have looked different this year, but they were certainly special since it was your first Christmas. Here you are sweet girl, happy as a clam!
Milestones/Special Firsts:
*Your first Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve at Auntie & Andy's house with Grandma, Brandon, Jordan and Amanda. We also celebrated Grandma's 77th birthday! Christmas morning we woke up and opened the presents Santa brought! After that, we went over to Nonee and Papou's house where we had an officially masked Christmas. It was nice being together even though many expressions, reactions and feelings were hidden behind the masks.
*You experienced sledding for the first time! We went over to Nonee and Papou's one chilly afternoon. This brought back so many memories as your older siblings also had so much fun over the years sledding on their little hill to the west of the house. Buck too! We went inside after and sipped hot cocoa by the fire. Later on this month you went sledding again when we went to visit Aris and Dayne. This sledding hill was much bigger! You were a trooper.
Things You Like Right Now:
*You love your big cousin Ivy. You really enjoyed an overnight visit to Stroebe Island to spend a couple days with her. You two are already two peas in a pod. I foresee an amazing friendship between the two of you.
*Hiking! You and mommy rang in the New Year by going on a hike to Nashotah Park...just the two of us. You loved your first official hike in the backpack carrier. We sat on our favorite bench and watched the afternoon go by. You were starting to get sleepy, so we decided to head back as the sun was beginning to set. You slept the whole walk home!
*Big girl food! You are already starting to push away any purees or food that mommy tries spoon feeding you. You like to pick the food up off your tray and eat like a big girl. You're transitioning to eating whatever the family is eating for that particular meal. You enjoy pancakes, eggs, peanut butter & jelly pieces and banana. Oh and your puffs always get you excited (picture legs kicking in the high chair)!
*Strider rocker rides! You like to get on your bike once a day and have mommy or daddy rock you. You look around so proud as you realize what a big girl you are!
*Signing! You are a pro at signing "more" "all done" and "water". We're now working on "please".
*Starting to talk! Your first word was "mama" (swoon). Shortly after saying mama, you started saying "dada", "Buhbuhbuh (Buckwheat)", "Pppp" (for Papou), "Nonni (for nonni nonni bedtime), and "more". We're so very proud of you!
Things You Don't Like Right Now:
*Well, you are so content taking in the chaos around you, you seem to have very little interest in crawling. You turn yourself around completely, scoot yourself here and there, but as far as leaning forward and trying to crawl...nope.
*You're developing your voice alright! If a sibling (okay Leo) takes something away from you, you are sure to let everyone know!
Your Siblings:
*It was a big month for Ari as he traveled to his first out of state soccer tournament in Florida. While he missed you, I think he secretly loved soaking up his solo time with mommy and daddy.
*One of your favorite things to do is watch your siblings run around the house after dinner time. They run in a circular fashion around the stairwell and you're so excited every time they come around the corner.
*Leo is your day to day playmate, but you're certainly thrilled when Ari and Elle get home from school each day.
Your Dad:
*Daddy continues to find himself in the basement Monday-Friday teaching. He looks forward to when your older siblings have soccer practices in the evening. He also has fun in the basement doing indoor soccer drills with them. You enjoy going down there as well and watch/play from your excersaucer. You like going down there so much you whine whenever mommy passes the basement door and doesn't take you down there. Daddy soaks in every single one of your snuggles.
Your Mom:
*This was a really difficult month for me as I made the decision to join Ari for his trip to Florida. Since it was his first tournament I really wanted to be there for him to soak in the experience. This of course came along with many tears about leaving you, Leo and Elle. Luckily, your nonee and papou were here to care for you and love you beyond measure. I was gone three nights, but we were able to Facetime many times throughout each day. It was the sweetest reunion returning home to you. A highlight for me this month was our solo hike together. The sun was shining, the air felt so crisp...we were both on top of the world. You are still very attached to me, to the point where if I'm home working I have to hide from you, or you get so upset not being able to be with me. I feel so sad some days that I have to work, but blessed to be working from home now for a whole year.There isn't anything that makes me happier than time with you, Leo, Elle and Ari. Nonee and Papou take such good care of you while I'm working from my office upstairs.
