The Bird and The Bean: Eden Amelia is Eight (and a Half) Months Old!

This is my third attempt at writing this blog post. I started on the day Eden turned eight months and realized that trying to update on everything that had happened in the last month, including pictures, was way too large of an undertaking. So, I cut out our Florida trip and set out to update on Eden's eighth month without it (with plans to post a separate update) but it was still too long!!! So...this is going to be a very short and sweet update with a few pictures of Eden and her stats. Then, hopefully soon I can finish the other two posts.

Eight Months Old

Weight: Approximately 19 1/2 lbs.

I don't have an updated length and head circumference this month because she doesn't go back to the doctor til she turns 9 months.

Still in size 3 diapers. Mostly still squeezing into her 6 month clothes but wearing some 9 month clothes as well. Thank goodness for hand-me-downs!

Eden has been making all kinds of developmental leaps during her 8th month. I mentioned last month that we're doing something called baby led weaning (BLW) to introduce solids and for the first two months, she has mostly been playing and exploring with her food. She just finally started to learn to bite, chew (with no teeth, those gums are strong) and swallow in the last few days. This is TMI, but it's been obvious that she's actually consuming some food when you change her poopy diapers! I can't say I'll miss the breastmilk poop! Although she hasn't made any definitive verbal leaps, you can just tell she has progressed cognitively. She seems to understand more and imitates everything you do. She still hasn't learned to clap yet but she's almost there! She clasps her hands together and moves them up and down instead. It's so darn cute! She loves being read to and gets the biggest grin on her face whenever you sing to her. She especially loves the "itsy, bitsy spider." She helps with the hand motions! We also love to do "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" and "deep and wide." Her fine motor skills are developing very well and she's getting there with the gross motor. She is definitely trying her best to go, go, go! She is pulling up on anything she can to a kneeling position and rocking back and forth. She is sitting unassisted as long as her big head doesn't make her topple over (poor thing has taken a few too many spills thanks to that noggin).