8 Months

Collyns is eight months old and becoming more mobile.  She is starting to figure out how to crawl on her knees but prefers to get around by laying on her stomach and pulling her body forward with two hands.  She loves to "walk" around with someone holding her hands and she loves to stand by the couch, back of chairs, or against toys. She also loves to self-feed at meals.  We try really hard to make meals that she can eat because it will keep her entertained for long periods of time, but since she still only has two teeth, we often still feed her with baby food.  She drinks about 3-4 bottles a day between meals and has started drinking some watery juice.  She hasn't been a picky eater about any of the foods we've given her so far.  She also loves bath time, trying to pet Milo, watching Saylor's gymnastics and pulling Saylor's curls.  She is usually happiest right away in the morning and you can tell when she's happy when you hear her throaty shriek and throaty "agghhh."  Smiles from Collyns had to be earned this month.  I couldn't get a picture all month of her smiling. We're not sure if she was bothered by an ear or the possibility of more teeth coming in or the lack of humor and entertainment her parents provided.  In any case, we sure loved it when we finally did get to see that two-toothed grin.  She still wakes up in the middle of the night but we're working on letting her cry some things out. She isn't a fan of reading books.  She usually just pounds her hands on them and we often hear Saylor tell her, "Collyns, pay attention!"  Besides, standing, "walking" with help, and eating, Collyns usually just enjoys sucking on everything she can get her hands on.  She still takes short naps in the morning and evening and a longer one after dinner.  Like everyone else, Collyns is enjoying the last of the warmer temperatures.  She often goes on walks at night and tries to eat the leaves on the ground faster than we can pull them out.