Grace: 8 months

Grace is already 8 months! Here are her stats:

• Weight is approx. 18 lbs.
• In 6-9 month clothes and size 3 diapers.
• Started crawling right at 7 1/2 months during our trip to Galveston. Gets everywhere this way.
• Even more than crawling, she has taught herself to pull up and actually stand for seconds at a time. It's like a game to her and she pulls up, lets go, and just looks at you while grinning.
• Is so tiny; I am curious to see how she compares to other babies at her 9 month appointment in December. She is just a little baby and so petite!
• Has started clapping and waving. Her claps don't always meet together, but she will do it when she hears music or her musical toys. Her waves are precious although we notice she does it more with others than me or Vic. I guess we don't typically leave her, so why would she wave to us?
• She also has started "dancing". When she is standing up and hears music, she will bounce and bend those little knees. So cute!
• Loves that pacifier at naptime and bedtime and sometimes in the car. I am trying to not do the car though....teaching her to enjoy life in her car seat; that is - until she is old enough to realize we have a DVD player for trips!
• If we are at home, she will take that morning nap still right about 2 hours after she has woken up. If we are out and about, she dozes in the car between stops, but rarely falls asleep in my arms anymore if we are at the park or children's museum or on a play date. However, nighttime is still inconsistent. I would say on average this past month, she has been up 2x a night - sometimes 3x; sometimes 1x. I have decided she is not always hungry though, so I will go pick her up, change her diaper or walk her around for a minute and then lay her back down to which she puts herself back to sleep. But, when I try to just let her cry it out, she doesn't give in until I go through the process above. Rascal.
• Started babbling "mamamamama" - usually when fussy or crying.
• Still only has 2 bottom teeth.
• She is still a good eater. Foods she currently eats: bananas, pears, peaches, strawberries, cheerios, all baby food, pasta, rice, beans, some crackers, some bread, cheese, and even had very tiny pieces of chicken one night. Since she had some constipation trouble recently, I am still giving her pureed prunes daily and she really hasn't had any issues since that time last month.
• She has gotten better about being a "mama only" girl. Just depends on the moment, but getting much better.
• She is so independent! And so curious! The evenings are when she is happiest. Everyone has been fed and kids are bathed and we are typically found on the living room floor playing and catching any random TV show Vic and I can watch while playing.
• I know she is tired and ready for bed the moment she started rubbing her eyes. At that second, I can typically lay her down and she grabs her paci and blanket and is asleep within minutes.
• She is still just a sweet, happy, good baby. She may have a piercing scream when unhappy, but usually we do not hear it often. Can't believe she is 8 months old!