Eight is great a bit late

Dear Brady,
Can you believe you are now EIGHT months old? The past month we have been so busy--YOU have been so busy but there were so many times I just stopped in that moment, cuddled you and kissed you to pieces. Life is good.

Believe it or not but one of your favorite things to do is go shopping with mom. Being the nosey little person you are, you stare at everything and everyone. You smile and flirt your way around the whole store, and grab at tags and anything you can get those chubby little fingers on! Sometimes, you just lean back and take it all in.

Another favorite thing? Animals. The cat has learned she better run fast because you love to grab that bushy tail! You have met big and small dogs but they do not bother you one bit, even if their enormous tongues lick your face, you crack up!

You are pretty good at self-feeding. We really haven't found much you DON'T like. Seriously. Sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, peaches, cantaloupe, watermelon, you name it, you love it!

As you see, you take your food very seriously. By the way, when you are 1o, you can't say you don't like Broccoli because I have proof!

You are pretty much into EVERYTHING. Paper, cords, and flip flops might rank up there close to mommy. I don't know how many times I vacuum and sweep the floors but you manage to find the tiniest little things. You love to shake a piece of paper, or a toy and bounce up and down.

You do this half crawl, half scoot, stand up sit down, stand up kind of thing and you NEVER stop. You would start crawling and then flop down on your belly and scoot the rest of the way. Mommy just figured out that your crawl JUST fine on the carpet, and it's so much easier to do without your shorts getting in the way (you have spent a lot of time in onsies at home!) The positions you get into make me wonder if you were a Yoga master in your previous life. You have so much energy even on days you don't sleep very well! Can you please give me your secret? Momma is tired chasing after you!

You manage to stand up on anything you can. You love to pull yourself up on mommy's legs and bounce! I have also found your cracking up at yourself. I wish you'd let mommy in on what is so funny!
(look at how tired you are! )

You just learned to do this when we say, "How big are you?" (SO BIG!) It is hard not to smile when you do it. You get this look on your face and are clearly so proud of yourself! You almost have a clap down too!

You are a talker! Da-Da, Ba-Ba, Na-Na, A-ma, and a thousand other things come out of those sweet little lips. You get this intent look on your face, like you are trying so hard to tell me or the lady at Target everything.

This week, you got your FIRST tooth!! I can thank those teeth for your sleep strike (and yourpoor eyes are all red and puffy!) You also don't want mommy to leave you. Mommy gives you some extra snuggles and life is good again!

My favorite part of my day is cuddling with you before you go to bed. Sometimes I hold you a little longer because I want more snuggles. You lay in my arms, nuzzle your face into me and place your hand on my chest and I just can't let you go! Seriously though? The little belly that hangs out? Gets me every time!!

I can't believe in four short months, you will be a whole year old. You are just growing so fast! Mommy loves watching you grow, and loves each new thing you do.

You are really turning into a little man, and your personality comes out more each day. You are so determined and full of life. You are full of smiles and giggles, even when you are not feeling your best. I look at you and see curiosity, excitement but most of all love and trust. Sometimes the love I feel for you sends me to tears but looking at you gives me so much joy, pride, and elation. When you lift those little arms but to me, mommy has to scoop you up and kiss those chubby cheeks (which sends you to giggles) while you still let me!

I can thank for you giving me so much and you teach ME something new everyday. I love you to pieces, boo-boo!!