Dear Sena,
I promise that I will be less tardy in the future. I do realize that you officially turned eight months on Monday, which was a very exciting milestone.
In the last two weeks, you've cut a few more teeth, but because you won't let us really "see" in there we're not sure how many are coming through. We do know, however, that they are not in the center, so it appears you're going to have a nice toothy-gap for awhile. You enjoy placing your new favorite food, "O's", (aka cheerios without the sugar) in between your teeth and smiling. Yes, it is quite endearing.
Food is still an adventure for you and your repertoire is quickly growing. In fact, I'm certain on most days of the week you eat better than your parents combined. That's love.
One of your other favorites is seeing pictures (mostly of yourself) around the house. You squeal with delight whenever we pass one of these pictures, and kick as if you're about to do a jig. Speaking of dancing. You love it. I had said in my pregnancy journal, which I was reading back through the other day, that you were quite the dancer and apparently you were not just a dancer in utero. The other day I took you to Nordstrom Rack (to buy a johnny jumper that you don't seem to like but that's another story) and an old seventies tune came on and you started kicking like you were on stage. I guess you do have a little bit of your mother in you. The best part about you liking dance so much is that I can dance as funny as I want, and you think it is the best thing in the world. I wonder how long that will last.
Ahh... now for the embarrassing updates. You found a new noise this month- grunting. Yes, you sound like you're pooping, but you're not. You're just having fun. And you think this is an even more exciting thing to do in public. When one of us is holding you and can't do anything other than smile at the onlookers who think our daughter must be constipated. I told your papa that we should do this to you when you're a teenager... just follow you around the store, grunting. And he very quickly reminded me if we were to do such a thing that you would never speak to us again.
One last delight of the month. We took you to the toy store to look for holiday gifts for you and your friends. (I do realize this is probably the last year we can take you to a toy store without you throwing a fit over toys you can't have, so I figured we should enjoy this time.) Anyway, papa was carrying you around the store and every time you saw an interesting toy you'd shriek in delight. Yes, shriek. So, we decided we'd buy you the toy (within reason of course.. ) that you found to be the most interesting. And guess what? You picked out an Ugly Doll. I mean the UGLIEST DOLL in the store (aptly named ugly doll). It basically is a gray, stuffed animal without eyes. Yes, it is hideous. I was convinced we could at least persuade you to have a more colorful ugly doll, so I placed a few options, including purple in front of you, and you still wanted the gray one. So, we left the toy store with the ugliest stuffed animal and when everyone on Christmas morning wonders why we picked out such an ugly doll, we'll let them know that you actually chose it yourself. I guess that's what we get when we let an 8-month-old pick out her gifts. I can only imagine what outfit you'd put on if we let you choose.
It has been getting cold here, which means more layers for you. (Although as I write this it is 60 + outside.. got to love Colorado.) You don't like your mittens, but you seem to endure your winter coat. You look like such a ski bum. Your grandma Deborah would be proud.
Every month I'm amazed at how much you've grown, and how interested and aware you are of everything going on around you. You continue to captivate me, and fill my heart with such joy. I love you.
love,
mama
