8 Months

Anna is sitting down for three "solid" meals/day.  In the morning she eats fruit and oatmeal while Kate & Max eat breakfast.  Midday she has a small bowl of applesauce.  For dinner she eats her veggies and oatmeal with the rest of the family.  We are just beginning to introduce some finger foods like rice crackers, cheerios, puffs, and banana bits.  Anna is thrilled about picking up the food pieces but does not seem to know to put them in her mouth yet.

Besides rolling, skooting and spinning, Anna is working on sitting and hangs on for several seconds before folding in half and tipping over. She seems to have good control over everything she gets her hands on. She enjoys having something like her spatula, spoon, baby doll, or small stuffed animal in her hand(s) all the time.  She enjoys her repertoire of gear including the floor mat, the exersaucer (and Go-pod), Bumbo, stroller, Baby Bjorn and water flotation device.

Anna's biggest change this month is in her new array of noises that have very intentional purposes.  She "sings" with Kate and Mimi when they sing to her by saying "Oooooohhhh".  She says "Uh, Oh" continuously and randomly.  She makes a quiet little squeak when she wants our attention.  She has another noise when she is DONE (i.e. eating, sitting, playing etc.). She likes to growl back-n-forth with Kate.

You can tell Anna wants to be around Kate and Max and misses them when they off at camp, preschools, gymnastics etc.  She gets so excited when she sees them, her feet wiggle, she gives them enormous grins and tries to get their attention with her little squeaks and giggles (which works).  In return the kids oblige by dancing and singing for her, giving her hugs and kisses, encouraging her to eat, play, roll and "talk".
 

I am constantly reminded how wonderful every stage and milestone is.  Just when we want to freeze Anna in time, she does something so cute or amazing.