Ava - 8 Months Old

As soppy as this sounds, I could cry writing this. I cannot fathom how my baby is 8 months old already. I thought it went fast the first time around, with Noah but it's somehow gone even faster. With your first I suppose you are able to relax a bit more and enjoy a slower pace but there's no chance of that happening with two (or more) children because everything is always go go go. I find myself looking at her a lot, trying to soak up every detail because I just can't comprehend how quickly she's growing and changing. I feel like I'll blink and I'll have missed something. I wish I could hit pause for a little while.

Character

I know I say this every month but she truly is a sweetheart. I could eat her up. Her nature is so pleasant and so easy going, much like Noah was as a baby. She has this vibe about her, I don't know what it is, but being with her puts me at ease and makes me feel happier, even with the extreme lack of sleep. She is super loving, always giving cuddles and kisses and she loves to be held. She's a proper Mummy's girl (probably because I've got milk on tap and let her sleep in my arms most nights) but as soon as Daddy comes home from work she's so happy to see him and gets so excited. The only time she tends to get annoyed or frustrated is when she's hangry, like mother, like daughter I suppose!

Size

I've been naughty this month, I've not weighed her but I have no concerns as she's just perfect. She's just moved into size 4 nappies and is wearing 6-9 month clothes, some 9-12 months is just fitting her now but a little big. I love seeing her in just a nappy, she's got the cutest little baby body.

Health

Overall she's been okay but we went to Butlin's last month (you can read our review here) and she was a little out of sorts. I don't know if she had a little bit of a tummy bug, or if it was a bit of teething but she wanted to sleep and cuddle a lot. She had her first ever cold but she wasn't unwell in herself really, she just had a very runny nose. She's also cut her first teeth, bottom left first and then the bottom right! The first one came through on Noah's 4th birthday, a great way to remember it by! Although she's getting both at at the same time they've no really bothered her at all.

Feeding

We are now 8 months into breastfeeding and everything has been wonderful, we've been very lucky. She feeds on demand but has developed her own little routine. It's usually twice in the night then just before we get up, after breakfast before her nap, after lunch before her second nap, in the afternoon, then two bedtime feeds. So roughly about 8 times in 24 hours, but it can vary. As much as she loves her milk she also loves her food and has taken to weaning like a champ, just like Noah did. I've not found anything she doesn't like and she's always excited to try new things. Both kids have made weaning a very enjoyable experience for me as a parent, it's a delight to watch them both eat. Her favourite foods are; RASPBERRIES, blueberries, toast, brioche, tomatoes, cheese, pasta, yogurt, porridge, orange. She also loves it when I make spaghetti bolognese, chicken pasta or chilli. I usually blend up the sauce for her but she probably doesn't need me to do that anymore as she can gum who pieces of pasta now. She also drinks cooled boiled water fine, she really enjoys it with her meals and snacks.

Sleep

We've still not had a full night sleep from her yet but she's getting better! She usually wakes between 1 to 2 times a night, whereas it's been every 2/3 hours in the past. She naps better now too, usually 2 a day and doesn't fight them anymore. One good thing about having a baby who's yet to sleep through is that you never notice when they are going through a sleep regression, ha ha!

Milestones and new tricks
* She said her first word! "Dada!" She is also getting there with Mama and she says "iyaaa" a lot too but I'm thinking that maybe just a sound rather than a variation of "hiya!"
* Kisses & cuddles - She started giving cuddles last month but now if you ask her for a kiss she will plant one right on your lips. If you ask her for a cuddle or say "awwww" she will give you a snuggle. She's very affectionate!
* She's so mobile. She's not officially crawling as such but she's able to move about without a problem. It could be on her belly or on her bum but she somehow manages to shuffle about, she's never where I left her.
* Pulling up. She's also trying to pull herself up on to things and is able to get into the crawling position. Once she is on all fours she begins to rock and tries to move her hands. It won't be long until she's properly crawling.
* Pointing. Ava can now point and it's one of the cutest things. She learnt it from me singing "Wind the bobbin up" which is her favourite song. She first learnt the actions to the song and would do them as I sang it to her and then one day she started pointing! She's amazing!
* She's cut her first two teeth! Her bottom two came within a few days of one another but they haven't bothered her at all.

Likes and dislikes

Music, songs, singing, guitar riffs. Mummy, Daddy and Noah. Her Nanna's and Great Grandad Jim. The cat! Noah's Imaginext toys. The Power Rangers theme song. Nursery rhymes, in particular sleeping bunnies and wind the bobbin up. Her play corner and box of toys. Opening and closing things. Trying to crawl. Going to the park, on the swings with Noah. Being held and sleeping in Mummy's arms. Her food, especially raspberries. Building blocks and bashing the towers down. Little baby bum songs. Having her hair brushed. Bath time and splashing the water. Dolls. Remote controls and mobile phones. Trees. She hates being in the car and being on a changing mat.

Our week in photo's

A word of warning before we begin.. This is going to be a very photo heavy post! Photography has always been a big part of my life and even though I tend to use my phone more than my DSLR these days I am still as snap happy as ever. I have to admit there is not a day that goes by that I don't take a photo of Noah and I have accumulated around 6000 photo's of him already. Which is a bit mental when you take into consideration the fact that he is only 8.5 months old! 

I've decided to start documenting our weeks in photo's here on the blog. I have found it tough to find time to blog lately between moving in with the inlaws, the house renovation and looking after a baby so I'm not going to make it a religious thing and just post when I can. 

21st of July to 27th of July:

We've had a mini whirlwind of a week this week with many walks, trips to the park and paddling pool fun. Your auntie also insisted on giving you your first ice cream (right before your lunch) so I couldn't refuse! We've been making the most of the weather but retreating inside when it got to hot. I always slathered you in sun cream but as you are so fair I am always concerned that you will burn. Towards the end of the week we did have a trip to A&E which I will blog about on your 9 month update. You are such a cheeky boy and at the minute you are find everything I say funny!

Here is our week in photo's:

Noah's first paddle

Summer was all about sunshine, paddling pools and lolly ices when I was a child. I have many fond memories sat outside in the sun in a tiny paddling pool, splashing about with my brother and sister. The minute it was relatively warm outside we were digging out our swimming costumes and itching to get in water! It was a great way to have fun and cool down too!  

I couldn't wait for Noah to have his first paddling pool experience so as soon as we started getting a bit of nice weather I went out and bought him a little paddling pool of his own. I literally could not wait to let him take his very first dip!

Yesterday was the day, it wasn't too hot or to cold. We pumped up the paddling pool and filled it up with luke warm water. The minute we sat Noah in the pool he sat there in pure awe and beamed from ear to ear. It was like he realised the pool was different from the bath, that he was outside and he found it very funny. He sat there getting very excited whilst he splashed and kicked at the water, drenching both Nick and I in the process! He would fold over on his belly and trying to drink the water too, which we found hilarious! We also led him on his back in the pool and he laid there staring at the sky with a cute little smirk on his face.

When I sit back and watch Noah experience, enjoy and learn these new things I can't help but think "This is what life is all about."  With that thought I can't help but smile.

Baby Diary: 8 Months Old

Ok seriously, where is the time going? As you get older the time just seems to be going faster. I really wish I could hit pause for a while and savour every single moment. You have learnt an insane amount this month which I will mention on your milestones. You astound us on a daily basis, you incredible being you! 

Character

You are a very cheeky and smiley baby but you are currently going through your 8 month leap (which I have found the toughest leap to date.) I've found with this leap you do have more off days than usual. On these off days you want to be attached to my hip, are rather whiny and can't entertain yourself for longer than 2 minutes. It's no surprise though as this leap is not only the most difficult but you have learnt so much in such a short amount of time so it's no wonder you are feeling rather cranky some days! 

Size
You are still wearing 6-9m clothing but I think you will be in the next size up in babygrows by the time I write your 9 month update. You are also still wearing size 3 nappies but I am thinking of moving up into the 4's in the next week or two. I still need to get you weighed but it's rather difficult at the minute being between houses. You are still long and skinny but you are solid weight. I can't believe how big you are becoming.

Health

The day you turned 7 months you woke up with your very first cold which I documented on your 7 month update. I was hoping it was going to be a quick and easy cold but it ended up turning into a nasty chest infection and conjunctivitis. You were prescribed antibiotics and eye drops for it. It took a good two weeks for you to recover fully. Other than that you have been okay other than the occasional constipation. We also have no teeth yet and no issues with teething. 

Feeding

You are still a huge foodie! You get so excited when I put you in your high chair, you sit there bouncing in your chair until you see your meal coming. You are having three meals a day; breakfast, lunch and dinner. You have a varied diet with lots of fruit and veg. You prefer to feed yourself so we now spoon feed you some foods but offer finger foods with every meal too. At the minute you adore strawberries, tomatoes and cheese but there isn't much that you don't.

You have x4 5oz bottles of milk a day. Morning, before lunch, afternoon and night. We are trying to bring the morning bottle later so we can eliminate the before lunch bottle. You were having 3 bottles a day but since living with the inlaws and sleeping in a very bright room you have been waking up at the crack of dawn for a bottle.

You drink between 6oz or 9oz of very diluted juice a day too. I am currently giving it to you in a bottle as I have misplaced all your sippy cups in the move. I need to either find what we have done with them or buy some new ones. 

Sleep

As I said in the 7 month update we have been struggling since we moved in with your Grandparents (still waiting to get into our new home) The room is very bright and hot in the mornings and you aren't a fan of the travel cot. I end up bringing you into bed with me but it's just a queen bed and you are taking up so much space these days! I think you are missing being in your cot. Hopefully we will be in our new house in the next few weeks and we can get you back into the habit of being in your own cot. Time wise you usually sleep 8pm - 8am but not through. Sometimes you wake at 2am, sometimes 4am and sometimes 6am. Sometimes once a night and sometimes twice. You've only started waking so much since the 8 month leap begun. It's like you are newborn again.

Milestones

- Sitting. I now feel I can leave you sitting unaided and don't worry about you falling. I do still put cushions behind you thought just in case. You also reach right across for toys whilst you are sitting and quickly regain your balance. 

- Crawling. You aren't crawling just yet but you can now hold all your weight on all fours. I was amazed that you could do this because although you have always had a lot of strength in your legs you haven't in your arms. I don't think you will crawl for a while though and have a feeling that you will be a bum shuffler.

- Vocal. You have become even more vocal this month. You say baba a lot, mainly when you are upset! I would love to know what that means to you. You have said mama a few times but when I ask you to say it you shake your head and smile, you little tinker!

- Feeding. You can now hold your own bottle but you are still rather lazy with it and prefer me to do it for you. You also grab the spoon to attempt to feed yourself.

- No. You now shake your head side to side. Only sometimes though and I do wonder if you know what it means as you do seem to do it in context a lot of the time!

- Movement. You seem to be reaching for everything and anything now and really contort your body in all sorts of ways to do so. Only really when you are sat up or led on your back though as you still hate to be led on your stomach. You also do a reverse "worm" to move across the floor! It's so funny to watch you do it, it's like you are thrusting!

- Clapping. You now clap your hands when we clap, say "clap hands" or if there is something you like. I had been trying to teach you how to clap for a while and the day you did it back my heart literally melted. 

- Standing. You can walk in your walker and have begun holding your weight up against the sofa for 30 seconds at a time. We are going to be practicing standing against furniture a lot this month to see how you get on. 

- Understanding. You seem to have such a great understanding of words. Bok bok, milk, juice, hiya, mama, dada, tree's, light. We now say "Where's the light?" or "Where are the tree's?" and you will look directly at them. You little clever clogs! 

- Dancing. If you are sitting up and music comes on sometimes you will bop up and down to the tune. Sometimes you will dance and clap at the same time. Absolutely adorable! 

Things you like

- SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS. You still love good old Spongebob.

- Feeding yourself.

- Gadgets. Mobile phones, ipads, remote controls. Why is it that babies always want to play with things you would rather them not? Even when you buy toy mobile phones or remotes they always seem to know that it's just a toy and aren't interested!

- Sitting and playing. You love to sit with all your toys in front of you and it's so fascinating to watch you play.

- Trollies. You sat in the big boy seat of a trolley for the first time this month. You beam from ear to ear and become very giddy when you are sat in one. I think you are relishing being able to do more things now. 

- Having your nappy changed. 

- FOOD! 

- Being giddy! 

- Swings! Another first for this month was sitting in the swing. Another thing you now love! 

Things you don't like

- Having your face wiped. 

- Having something taken off you.

- Sleep. You used to love sleeping so much but we now wake frequently throughout the night. I am hoping it's the leap and you will go back to your old ways. 

We love you so much Noah Noo Noo! Lets hope this month doesn't pass us by so quickly!