8 Months Old

Natalee is 8 months old today!  Each month on the 23rd, I have really focused on Natalee's monthly milestones, but today was crazy and chaotic and I didn't really have a moment to celebrate Natalee's age.  We have so much happening right now in the adventures of Nico and Natalee to include Daddy coming and going in and out of town for work, and some other major changes that we are not ready to publicize or blog about yet.  However, at the end of the day, after Natalee had her bath, I quickly dressed her in one of her precious smocked dresses and snapped a few pictures.

Here is what has been happening with our Baby Nat-Nat:

Night time sleeping: Since being dx with reflux and getting with right rx to help her, the coughing Natalee had been suffering with for months finally let up, allowing her to begin sleeping better through the night. Natalee was so used to waking up every 3-4 hours coughing and feeding her was one of the only ways to calm her down from a fit, so it has only been in the last month in which Natalee has begun sleeping longer periods of time.  Her pink bunny lovie and of course pacis help her self soothe if she wakes up during the night. Natalee goes to bed around 7:15 every night, and will let me know when it is that time.

Nap time sleeping: Natalee typically takes two naps a day.  She wakes up around 7:30 or 8:00 am and after breakfast and playtime, she is ready for a nap at 10:30 am.  Usually Natalee will sleep for about two hours during this morning nap. Then at around 3:30 or 4:00 pm, Natalee is ready for her second nap of the day, this one, however, is a bit shorter, lasting usually only hour long. 

Eating:  Before getting the reflux under control,  Natalee had a difficult time eating her baby food. She seemed to enjoy the taste of the food, but after only a few bites she would refuse anymore. Now, this little girl eats quite bit during all three of her meals before blowing and spitting at me (to indicate she is all done).  We are working on "more" and "all done" sign during meal times.

Play time: Natalee loves her purple nubby sensory ball. She shrieks and hits at it until the ball has rolled out of reach.  She also still enjoy her Jumperoo during down time. The xylophone and the play cell phone are a couple of other favorites. 

Overall, Natalee is a super happy and joyful baby girl.  She loves clapping now, is trying to imitate me on signing for "more," no doubt knows her name, and trying hard to move herself around.  I have seen Natalee scoot herself backward, but there have been times when I set her down and minutes later when I look in on her, she is three feet over to the side and facing a different direction!  It is just a matter of time until this little wiggle worm is crawling around getting into trouble!