Everly's 8-Month Update
I have decided (8 months late) that I am going to give monthly updates on Everly. Sometimes as a mom I'm like, what are other babies her age doing? Not to compare, because they all get to each stage differently, but just to be informed. I like knowing what toys kids her age like, what foods they are eating, ideas for entertaining them, teething remedies or any other good tips learned along the way! This will also be a great resource for me to look back on with kid #2, because who the heck is going to remember any of this stuff with my memory. I'll try and keep the same format for each month so it's easy to track. Enjoy the read and comment below what your littles liked at 8 months old!
Toys
Right now Everly loves sensory toys. Anything that lights up, moves, makes noise or that she can interact with. Probably why she loved her first ride on a carousel so much. On the flip side she also likes small flecks of dirt on the ground, strings, any electrical chord and chasing the broom.
Her 4 favorite toys right now are: VTech Light and Move Learning Ball, Fisher Price Dance & Move BeatBelle, Laugh & Learn Puppy Piano and Baby Smart Phone.
Food
Her main source of nutrition is still me, but she has started eating solids a few times a day. She eats pureed fruits and veggies that I make in the Vitamix. She has avocado, sweet potato, green peas, lentils, chickpeas, apples, bananas, prunes, bell peppers, butternut squash, pumpkin and carrots. I have also given her eggs, oatmeal, yogurt and peanut butter. The only thing I don't think she liked was the pureed bell peppers - but I mean who does. Her favorite food is by far avocado, she cannot get enough of it. She also prefers eating food off of my finger instead of a spoon, anyone else's kid like this?
Day-to-Day
She spends time in her jumperoo, on the rug with her toys, standing using the couch, in the kitchen with me pulling everything off the shelves, in the baby bjorn if she's fussy, doing downward dog whenever she can, laughing at herself in the mirror, going on walks in her stroller and cuddles. She sleeps from 7:30pm - 7:30am. She will nap around 9:30, 12:30 and 4:30 for a total of 4-5 hours. This girl loves her sleep!
Giggles
Basically anything Jason does makes her smile, even him just coming home. Quick movements, whooshing noises, tickling her tummy or neck, bath time and peek-a-boo all make her laugh as well. She also loves being outside in her stroller or baby bjorn carrier.
Grumpy
She likes change and new scenery and if she doesn't get it she'll let you know, very loudly. She is also VERY clingy, and if she is away from Jason and I she'll get sad pretty quick. An unfortunate bi-product of living away from home and not being left with a lot of different people.
Milestones/Firsts
She started crawling forward and standing up on her own using the couch or coffee table at about 7 1/2 months. She absolutely loves standing - thinks sitting is so last month. She's always on the move now and getting into mischief. Her favorite thing is to follow us around from room to room. She also got her first tooth a few weeks ago, swam in a pool for the first time, rode on a carousel, and went to her first museum.
Tips
Her first tooth came through a few weeks ago and has been a little more fussy because of it. I bought these teethers I keep in the freezer and give her whenever it seems like her mouth is hurting. I also have Sophie the Giraffe, Kiki the Elephant and a few other random teethers. What she loves the most though is a carrot stick, celery stick or a piece of a bell pepper to chew on. I keep a few of them in a ziplock in the fridge for her when she needs them. It also keeps her entertained for awhile chewing on it. I did buy Dr. Talbot's All Natural Teething Gel as well that is made with cloves, so if she ingests it (which obviously she will) there are no harmful chemicals. Her favorite though is probably chewing on a pacifier clip.
I basically wish I could strap a go-pro to my head so I won't miss any moments of her life. She is the loudest most entertaining person ever. She is changing so much and is a blast to be around. Her waking up from her naps is the highlight of my day. Can't wait to see what 9 months brings!
Best,
Stacey