8 months

Dear Chip,

Your eighth month was about climbing.  Climbing (then pulling up), pattern changing, and separation anxiety.  I feel like 8 month old Chip is a completely different baby to 6 and 7 month old Chip, and like we're starting to see glimpses of eventual toddler Chip.

So, climbing.  It's all you've wanted to do this month.  First just climbing up onto my legs to reach the iphone. 

Then using my belly and chest to pull up to standing, and then pulling up on anything and everything; couches, coffee tables, shopping bags, toy boxes, pump boxes, laundry baskets, the toilet (if only we'd let you). I'm still your favourite, though...

 ...and not just when it comes to climbing, right now.  Separation anxiety has hit, which has been quite a challenge for both of us.  Poor baby, it must be so confusing!

We've seen a lot of your cheeky side, and a lot of your proud of yourself face.  You crack up when you do something "naughty" like pinching my glasses or peeing in my face (yep... true story). You're stoked with yourself when you do something clever- pulling up especially, but also smaller things like drinking water from a sippy cup or grabbing something you particularly want.

You've had a talkative month too.  Mostly "Da-da-da-DA", but a tiny little "mama" once, and a few other less clear consonants and vowels too.  When you started cooing away fairly early, I thought you'd be a chatterbox, but I think you've been more focussed on other things recently, so talking hasn't been a priority.

You've stepped up your eating another notch.  Even in the week your grandparents stayed, Grandma noticed that your consumption increased.  You haven't been keen on veges, and spat out eggplant and asparagus.  You liked strawberries though, and bread, and cheese! Definitely your Daddy's son!

This month you had your first ear infection, which wasn't much fun for you, though you were a real trouper.  We travelled to Tauranga for me to run 5k, and to Auckland for Daddy to race Worlds.   You saw loads of family, and met your newest friend.  You are trying to drop a nap (which would be OK if any of your naps were over 40 minutes) and your latest trick is resisting bedtime, which used to be the easy part of our day!

This has definitely been my favourite month yet.  I love the way we can just lie down and laugh at each other for minutes on end, the way you smile when I blow kisses to you, the cheeky grin when you commando it across the room to climb me yet again.  You're full of personality, which is exhausting but fantastic!

Stay cool til after school.

Mum