eight.

(written december 30)

sarah caroline,

eight months ago you were hours old. i was in awe. tonight you are crawling all over grandma and grandpa's house. i am in awe.

you have brought us eight months of unimaginable, unexplainable, unbelievable joy.

i am so humbled that God chose us to parent you.  honored beyond words.  i've been thinking a lot lately about what our life should look like.  where/what/who/how should we do this life? i know we're just starting out and we've entered a lifetime of thinking and praying as we do our part in God's growing you into a lady.  but, i don't want to look back on these days and wish we would have done something else/more for you or with you sooner rather than later.  i want to be so intentional in what and how we live this life.  you should always know that you are so loved and so wanted.  so cherished.  so valued. truly!

today, sweet baby...we celebrate eight amazing months with you!

what are you up to these days?

you weigh (roughly) a whopping 23 pounds! daddy and i weighed you on grandma's bathroom scale...so give or take a bit.

we recently bumped you up to a size 4 diaper

you sleep right between mom and dad, and just above bertie-girl (in our bed)

you usually fall asleep eating, or we'll rock you or bounce you on the work-out ball

as for naps...they differ each day.  on our best days, you take a good morning nap and one in the late afternoon

you got your two front teeth just in time for christmas! you now have 4 teeth. two on top, two on bottom

you're not a very scheduled girl...i really don't know how you could...our life has been pretty crazy!

we've had a few long stretches in the night, but you do still like to party hard when it gets dark

you have lots of little names...not one has really stuck more than the others...liney, lou, boo, liney-bean...burrito!, caro, k-line...

you haven fallen head over heels for your daddy.  you beam when he walks in the door from work. i couldn't love it more! i can't wait to watch you fall more and more in love with him...we are blessed girls! ;)

you LOVE your grandparents. and i love watching you with them!

you are loving big-girl food.  you're just eating dinner right now, but i hope to add an earlier meal this month.  you eat bananas, avocado, peaches, pears, green beans and sweet potatoes. we usually mix at least bananas in with either rice, multigrain or oatmeal cereal and add another food on the side.  we usually start your meal with puffs...to keep you busy while i cook and to work on your fine motor skills. you like to pick up your crackers!  you do have some special crackers to help keep you busy in your car seat.  you love to hold them! we've also started giving you water in a sippy cup...you've really taken to it lately.

you are absolutely everywhere! you are a super crawler and can be from one side of the house to the other in no time flat.  you keep me on my toes :)

you still hike up one leg for a little kick start, when you're in a rush.  you are one busy girl.

 

you almost always carry a friend with you when you crawl.  most of the time it's "stripes" the sock monkey.  he's your very best friend.  you two are just precious together. it makes my heart melt when you see him.  you get sooo excited! you breathe heavy and pull him close to you.  i love to watch you "love!"  if you can't find stripes, your brown-haired baby comes in a close second...but if they're both busy...anything soft and sweet will do.

you are pulling up on any and everything.  i really thought you'd be taking steps by your eighth month.  but, thankfully you are really taking your time learning how to stand!  you have learned to sit down softly from a standing position and we rarely have big falls anymore.  you will cruise to and from pieces of furniture that are very close together, especially if there is a remote control or cell phone to entice you!    you are so strong and so beautiful.  i just love being your mom ;)

as for tricks...your bag is full! you're not really into performing on demand...but you love to sneak in your tricks on your own time!

you are a clapping machine.  i really think it's one of the most adorable things i've every seen.

you've got a great "aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!" we worked forever trying to teach you to pat your mouth with the palm of your hand and make the "aahh" sound...but you do it with the back of your hand. absolutely adorable.

the last week or so you have really started waving.  it took you a while to really wave.  you would always just curl your fingers slowly and look at your hands.  then, one day you popped up with the double handed wave and you haven't slowed down.  i love that you're giving your all with that wave!

your little personality is really blossoming.  we're really learning a lot about eachother -- you're beginning to express your opinions more and more.  so, i'm having to start explaining to you how things are going to work around our house.  i think we're a pretty good team ;)

you are truly a happy, happy girl! when you light up, your whole body fills with joy and i just can't get enough of you! i'm excited to see all you do, and all you are! i'm proud to be your mom.

you have blessed our life in uncountable ways, sarah caroline.  happy 8 months to you!

my cup runneth over!

i love you,
mom