8 Month Update

8 Months

Approximately 20 lbs. 

Approximately 29 in. 

Likes: 

crawling to get to his toys 

bath time 

singing 

being outside 

snuggling with Mama

laughing 

"flying"

"swimming"

puppy dogs 

learning to talk 

Month 8 was a month on the go! We came to Mississippi for a month and a half to spend time with our families and speak to churches that supported us overseas. During that month we also made a trip to New York with the Borens! Our little world traveler has taken a ride on almost every form of transportation I can think of- trains, planes, subways, cars, tricycles, and boats! We've been all over the place in his 8 little months and this month was no different. We're all looking forward to getting settled into our own home next week. So that explains why Isaiah is wearing a disposable diaper in his picture this month- I left his cloth diapers packed up in storage. My Type A personality hates that one picture is different from the rest, but along with many other things involving motherhood, I'm learning to roll with it. However, I still felt the need to let you all know why :)

Our growing boy is long and lean. He is in size 12 month clothes and size 4 diapers. We'll visit the pediatrician for another well visit next month and get exact stats. 

He has had a cold off and on pretty much this whole month. We get it cleared up and then it comes back. We had our first sick visit to the doctor which was NO fun. He tested negative for lots of tests before we went to New York and just had a yucky cold. It's pretty discouraging and we all lose sleep over it, but we're thankful it hasn't been anything too serious- just some congestion and coughing. 

It took him nearly all month to figure out this crawling deal, but Isaiah is on the go! He's still wobbly and gets discouraged quickly when he can't get to what he wants fast enough, but he crawled for the first time when we were in New York. He does this hilarious thing with his arms and legs when he's on his tummy. He looks like he's trying to swim! But, he can get up and go if there is some motivation involved. He's still learning to get up from tummy to sitting so he gets pretty mad when he's tired of being down. He's definitely learned to cry to get what he wants :) Yet again, we've had so much fun watching him learn and grow. 

He's babbling all the time, especially saying ma and ba. He's started making these cute funny faces with his lips and looks like an old man with his lips puckered in. He still has a toothless grin. I feel like I've been saying he's teething for 3 months with nothing to show, but the drool running down his face and constant gnawing on his fingers gives me hope that we'll see a tooth soon! I'm crossing my fingers that we'll just get a lot of them all at once and be done for a while. Teething is for the birds! 

Isaiah loves to play, kick, move and observe the world around him. He's as curious as can be and loves to explore new territory. He loves his little hands and examines them all the day long! He also started reaching for people (particularly Mama) this month. Can we say adorable?! He still loves to take a bath, especially with toys. He enjoys a good game of peek-a-boo as well as reading a short book. He likes "flying" when I put him on my legs and lift him in the air as well as being tossed in the air by Daddy. And he developed a new love for dogs this month! My parents have a miniature dachshund that he loves to watch and pet. Josh's parents have a huge dog outside that he thinks is so so funny. He still loves to sing and his Filipino song calms him down when he's upset. 

He still breastfeeds every 2 or 3 hours. This month he began going a little longer between feedings, but nursed more often when he would get sick. He tried lots of new foods this month and we discovered that he prefers finger foods over being spoon fed. He's much more willing to try new foods that way. He still loves sweet potatoes and now loves to teeth on cold apples and pears. He isn't a fan of new textures and still makes funny faces when trying something new, but it's neat to see his preferences. He tried chunks of banana, steamed carrots, green peas, mashed potatoes, hummus, beans, and more. Oddly enough, he loves butter. I season his food with healthy grass-fed butter and he loves it! He'll even lick it off our fingers. Yay for good fats for the brain. He also loves drinking water out of his straw cup!

I'm happy to write that sleeping has improved a lot. We still have the occasional rough night, especially when he's congested, and I'm sure his sleep will regress again, but we enjoyed this more pleasant month. He started sleeping 3-4 hour stretches again and I can't tell you how refreshed I felt that first night that he slept a little longer. He woke me around 4am and I thought it was time to get up! Before we went to New York he was napping really well- 2 long naps and a short late afternoon nap. In New York he napped on the go in the ergo carrier which has led him to believe that he must be held for naps :) We're trying to get back into the routine of normal napping again, but overall he's  sleeping quite well. 

Isaiah loved being around grandparents and other family members this month. I've loved watching him become comfortable with them all. He's still very attached to mommy, but loves the others as well. 

 

He still loves his thumb too! 

Isaiah, 
I am amazed at how God designs each of us to be unique. I've had several moments this month while rocking you to sleep when I just stare at your sleepy face for a while before laying you down. I try to take it all in, knowing that your chubby cheeks and scrunchy nose won't always be so small. Your cousin Warren says that he was made to fit perfectly into his mama's arms to cuddle. He agreed that you are the perfect size for my arms. I don't think anything could be more true. I'm so glad I get to be your mama. I love you. 
Love, Mama

Isaiah,

What a fun month it has been taking you to Mississippi/New York.  We have a couple of more weeks in this little journey before the big move to Nashville.  Hopefully, you can get over your cold soon.  You seem to be right behind your cousin Benjamin in most things (sitting, talking, crawling), and it looks like you've started following the cry for Mom and Dad routine too.  We'll see as this next month progresses.  The people of New York seemed to like you too.  We just finished up a crazy trip with your dad's side of the family.  I'm so glad we went, but we are not ready for any vacation any time soon for sure.  Nevertheless, you're crying and I think your mama is ready for a break so I'm headed to relieve her.  You've got such a great mama.  If you ever read this, take a moment and thank God for who He gave you as your mom.  You got a great one.

Love you Isaiah,

Dad