Kate - 8 months

Is it possible that the second child grows up faster than the first??  Kate is already 8 months old and I'm equally saddened and thrilled by that!  Thrilled because I LOVE learning about Eli and the boy he is growing up to be, and I cannot wait to get to know Kate in that way!  Please allow me to gush for a moment......

Kate is quite possibly the best baby that has ever lived in the history of babies.  I had to go super overboard so I don't sicken all of you reading this, but honestly, in my gut, I believe that statement.  :)  She is such a ball of joy and I find myself 'losing' hour-long windows of time due to holding, tickling, nibbling on, talking with and savoring Kate.  She and Eli hold my heart in such a beautiful and loving way.  It hurts (in a good way) because it's so deep and beautiful.

Phew.

Alright, we're back. :)

sweetie at 3 months

At JohnO's graduation party!  You did NOT like the fog horns!

Sweetie pie at 7 months old

sweet baby with her blankie at 7 months

My dearest Kate,

You are my sunshine.  Truly.  You are such a gloriously content little baby.  In fact, that is the word used to describe you most often -- "content".  You give me slobbery, open-mouth kisses and kick your feet with excitement and make lots of squeals when you are excited.  You are definitely a people person and love for people to hold you, talk & play with you.  When you do get fussy, it is because you are hungry or tired.  Which leads me to....

You are a great little sleeper.  Your bedtime is a bit more lax than Eli's was at your age, but you handle it superbly.  You are usually in bed by 8.  You wake up right on time at 7:30, except for the mornings that you try to wake up at 5:30.  I think you learn quickly that you don't get much attention at that hour.  ;)  You still take 2 naps, mostly, at 9 and then again after lunch time.  If the naps are short, you are keen for a third nap before dinner.  You have a blankie (seen above) that you sleep with and you also like to find your paci in the night.  That's kind of fun for me, since your brother never took a pacifier.  Let's hope I don't regret saying that in a few months.  ;)

In regards to feeding, you are still nursing like a champ.  I know I haven't said it here, but nursing Kate has been night and day easier than feeding Eli.  We've endured many little challenges over the months -- thrush for 2 months, biting, over supply and distraction, to name a few -- but even despite those issues, feeding Eli was much more stressful and challenging.  So, for that I thank you.  :)  In regards to solids, you started on baby cereal just before turning 6 months old.  You did well with it and did enjoy baby oatmeal.  But, that's about it.  You did not like any other pureed baby food you were offered.  Thus, you started eating warmed canned green beans, soft cooked broccoli and peas within 3 weeks of starting on solids.  Unbelievable!  You love fruits and vegetables - and really anything else you've been offered.  Tonight you had roasted white pumpkin (from daddy's farm!) and fish.  You also love to drink water from your sippy cup.  Check out this video how you like to throw your head back to drink!

You are wearing mostly 6-9 months and 6-12 months clothes.  You have your 2 bottom teeth, which showed up at 7 months.  I keep thinking others are right around the corner.........  You started sitting up around 5.5 months and starting rolling around your room around 7 months.  You aren't technically army crawling, but you've been scooting around (initially only backwards!) for at least a month.  You sit up like a champ, and spend a lot of your day like that, as Eli loves to play with you and bring you toys.  Eli is such a sweet big brother to you and you completely adore him!  He gets you to laugh at bathtime and as long as he's around, you are happy to play on the floor for hours (trouble is he never stays in one place that long)!

I could watch that video over and over.  :)

We all love you so much, sweet girl, and are thrilled with the sweetness you have added to our family!  I LOVE watching you grow up and I know your big brother is LOVING getting to play with you more!

LOVE!
Momma