8 months.

Dear Mary,

You are growing so fast these days!  You continue to do something new every day, it seems, and you have the sweetest disposition.  You still rarely meet a stranger, although, you do play "shy" sometimes and lean into mama's shoulder.  You are learning to wave bye-bye and hi and seem surprised when your arm pops up when you hear the words.  You still aren't crawling yet.  You do rock on your hands and knees- sometimes- and you can scoot backwards when you are really trying.  You prefer to pivot on your belly and roll to your desired destination.

We just completed weaning and you now drink all formula.  You have transitioned really well and don't seem to mind at all.  That made it very easy but it also made me a little sad.  But mama needs to start back on her medicine for Meniere's disease and I know formula is not bad for you.  You drink 4-5 bottles a day, 5-7 oz at a time.  You also eat 3 "solid" meals a day.  You still like most everything we give you.  You eat Gerber puffs and have tried a few other finger foods- like green beans, peas, rice, peaches, and pears- but you still prefer purees.

You haven't been to the doctor in awhile but according to the scientific method of weighing you with me and then just me- you are somewhere in the 17 lbs range and are at least 27 inches long.  You are wearing a few 6-9 month clothes but are mostly in all 9 month clothes now.  You are now in size 3 diapers.

You really love to talk and screech all kinds of noises.  You have said hee hee, dadada, yaya, ba, ha, and mama.  You still don't put names- like mama & dada in association with us.  You also love to squeal.  You are still a great sleeper and are now sleeping about 11 hours at night (with no feedings) and you take 2-3 naps a day (at least an hour each).  You almost always wake up happy and get so excited as soon as your door opens when one of us comes to get you.

You continue to be such a joy and I am so blessed to call you mine.

Love,
Mama