8 Months of Love and Cuddles

It seems like this month our BIG baby transformed into a little boy. 

At 8 months, Zy's 2.5 teeth are enough to draw blood if your finger happens to be in the wrong place, but not enough for him to enjoy eating any food, at least not any that's intended for him.

He's sitting up well enough to play with his toys from a new vantage point, as long as someone's close enough to catch him as he falls, or comfort him after his head grazes the ground. 

He's getting just a touch of separation anxiety. His new skill of reaching his arms up is precious and helpful when I'm extracting him from the car seat, but bittersweet when he reaches for family when someone unfamiliar has hold of him.

We've been SO blessed that he hasn't been sick even once in his first 8 months of life, except the nagging diaper rash we've been fighting for a couple weeks.

Just like his new friend, the dog Ruby, his favorite toy is not a toy at all, but a discarded water bottle. They both enjoy gnawing on their Sophie giraffes as well.

His favorite word at the moment is Dadda, in the form of "Daddadaadaaddada," which pretty much melts Jon's heart every time.

Watching him explore and investigate EVERYTHING within his reach, breathes a fresh dose of wonder back into all of us. I can't wait to see where his curiosity takes him. There appears to be a lot more than meets the eye going on up there in that huge head!

Just for his fan club, here are a few extra pics to show you just how grown up he's gotten.

It must be instinct to close your eyes when being licked in the face.

"You can have a lick of my Sophie if you want, its squeaker still works.

This little tongue is always working overtime these days.

The equine term "cribbing" makes a lot more sense now.

TEETH!!

Finally riding in the cart like a big boy, makes such a difference 

Daddy giving Zy a little driving lesson at his favorite store, The Home Depot!

He appears to take driving very seriously.