Eight Months Old

8 months old

I can't believe my baby is 8 months old. It seems like only yesterday he was a newborn! He's gaining so many skills and learning so much all the time. I am fascinated watching him observe and digest his world. We spend a lot of time playing with toys, snuggling, talking about things while I wear him running errands or walking, reading books together, petting the cat, splashing in the baby pool, laughing with daddy and eating meals as a family. This is a really sweet time with Wilder. He's so alert and talkative, but he's not totally mobile and he can't say actual words. We are having so much fun with him. My heart swells and I love him more and more every day. He is a precious gift.

This month, Wilder:

• Weighs 16.5 lbs and is 27 inches long. These aren't totally accurate because he didn't have a pediatrician appointment so Zach and I took these measurements ourselves.
• Can roll all the way over multiple times in a row to get to a toy or the cat. He doesn't go anywhere fast, but he'll get there eventually.
• Really good at grabbing things. From pots and full water bottles to grains of quinoa and bits of peach, he's got great dexterity.
• He is learning sounds like Th, d-d-d, k-k-k…. saying things like Hi, Da-da, yeah… but not connected to anything yet. He'll also sing when you sing.
• gives high fives and sometimes kisses
• Takes 2-3 naps a day. He's starting to stay awake for longer in between (about 2-2.5 hours). He goes to bed at 8 and wakes up 1-2 times a night. Wakes up for good around 7 am.
• Still only has two teeth, but he's been teething again!
• can clap his hands, kick his legs and splash water with his hands and legs.
• Favorite foods right now are watermelon and broccoli, followed by peaches.
• still obsessed with drinking water out of his own cup
• he's started nursing really fast. after 5 minutes, he sits up and acts like he's going to climb out of my lap. Not sure where he's going because he can't crawl… but it's funny.
• Stands with assistance and sits up from lying down with a small amount of help.
• Loves catching bubbles outside

Has discovered talking on the phone and FaceTime and he loves it.

Here are some more photos!

Wilder's Baby Dedication

Wink! or blinking at the camera flash :-)

Last weekend, we held a very special ceremony for our little guy. Zach and I dedicated Wilder to God, with the help of our families and our home group from our church. Some churches do this in a service, and others, just with home groups. It was a low-key ceremony. Our friend from our home group, David Kwast, led with a prayer and guided readings, and everyone spoke Bible verses over us. Zach and I pledged to raise Wilder under biblical principles while demonstrating the value of God's Word in our home, and praying for his future salvation and discipleship. Many of our loved ones prayed over Wilder. It was really wonderful to experience the love and support at Wilder's dedication. We concluded with a lunch!

Seven Months Old

7 months old

I'm posting this so late! I took these photos the day I got home from a work conference in SC--my first time to be away from Wilder--and we left less than 12 hours later for New Mexico. My computer forgot to make the trip! Anyhow, these were taken just before Wilder's 7 month birthday. 

I feel like Wilder is starting to be a little boy. A teeny tiny one, but he's less and less a baby every day. He's still at the bump in a log stage though--you sit him down with some toys and a book and that's where he stays, until you pick him up or let him bounce up and down. He's such a cuddler and really happy. Even if he's not happy, he laughs quickly and is easily comforted most of the time. He's just a joy and every change in our life is worth it for the happiness he brings our family.

This month, Wilder:

• Weighs 15 lb 14 oz and is 26.5 inches long
• Sits by himself and can roll from back to front to back-- mostly just from front to back. He can also scoot around like a clock hand on his back.
• Says ay-yi-yi, mama, dada… but not connected to anything yet.
• Takes three naps most days on a pretty regular schedule and sleeps from 8 pm to 7 am with 1 or 2 snack breaks.
• Can clap a hand to his fist (learned to clap with both hands after his birthday). He likes giving high fives and smacking doors and walls with his hand.
• Has his first two teeth! The first one popped out while I was gone! The second tooth came out right on his 7 month birthday.
• Eats all kind of foods. His favorites are broccoli, asparagus, mangoes and apples. He has also started actually eating stuff--rather than just playing with it.
• Drinking water out of his own cup is his favorite part of the eating routine. 
• Can pick up just about anything, even heavy board books and "read" them to himself.
• Stands up with assistance
• Laughs and mimics faces
• Makes a surprised face all the time. It's awesome.
• Loves sitting in grass and pulling it up to try to eat it.
• Thinks Pierre is his own personal cat, just for petting. Pierre signs up for the punishment and hangs out with Wilder whenever he's around.
• Loves taking selfies on mama's phone. Sorry, he's a child of this generation!

Here are some more photos!

got mama's camera strap!