Eight Months Old

Xavier is eight months old. It is such a fun age! Not that his other ages and stages weren't fun too, but he's really starting to come into his own now.

We've seen signs that his personality is patient and sweet in this month that included way too many illnesses for our taste. He came down with a cold/congestion/cough right as we headed to NY. His cough got croupy and he started wheezing.
These symptoms prompted his doctor to suggest an inhaler for times of wheezing/breathing distress. In case you were wondering, seven and a half month olds don't really like using inhalers with face masks. It took about a week and a half for him to feel completely better - just in time to start day care - and start collecting germs again! We all caught the stomach flu, fevers, and another round of cold/flu illnesses with sore throats, coughs, and congestion. Poor Xavier also added an ear infection to the mix. After a run like that, we are so thankful for Alexander Fleming and his brilliant accidental discovery of antibiotics!

But, throughout it all, Xavier's spirits were fairly high. Some days, he really couldn't do much besides sleep, snuggle and whimper. You could tell he *wanted* to be happy. He *wanted* to laugh, smile and play. What a trooper! Just another reason why I love my patient and happy little man! All of the pictures in this post are from January 22 when he was home sick from daycare.Eating was very unpredictable this month. We introduced a few new solid foods - Applesauce, Squash and Bananas. He liked all three of them - at least at first. Then, he started refusing all solid foods - both at home and at day care. I think he just didn't feel well and didn't understand that solids are actually a food. It probably seems more like a game than a meal to him.

Sleep has continued to improve. Most nights this month Xavier went to sleep right around 7pm and slept through until 6am. Some days, he even "slept in" until 7:00 or 7:30! Twelve consecutive hours of sleep - I thought we'd never get here. But, we did! Go X-man!

Another huge development on the sleep front was that he's not always asleep when we lay him in his crib for the night. But, he doesn't cry or throw a fit anymore. It seems that he has learned to self-soothe and fall asleep on his own! He's also started napping in his crib a little bit. Many days he takes a morning nap and that's it. Other days he takes a morning, afternoon and/or late afternoon nap. It's completely unpredictable - but still SO much better than the zero minute average of yore.

Our first excitement of 2010 was my heading off to work and Xavier going back to daycare at Apple Tree! His old classroom filled up during his absence, so he joined the new infant class. So far, there are only three other babies and they are all younger than he is. Much like before, Xavier seems to enjoy the social aspects of daycare. His teacher, Miss Erin, is always telling us how he spends time flirting and rolling and "reading" books with his new girlfriend Juliette. :)

At home, his favorite activities are jumping in the jumperoo, playing with his stacking cups, playing with his Rock-a-Stack and hitting the piano keys on his Leap Frog musical table. It is excellent that he likes playing with these toys since they are all "strategic." Most of the toys encourage him to practice sitting up. He's pretty much mastered it now. Next step - learning to get into a sitting position on his own.

Dislikes worthy of mention this month include using his inhaler, teething, fevers, coughing and sleeves. Yes, sleeves.

He recently discovered tub toys - which makes it a bit easier for us to rinse shampoo (and sometimes conditioner!) out of his hair without too many tears. Speaking of his hair - Can you believe we have to blow dry his hair sometimes? How many eight month olds have to do that?!
A new trick that Xavier learned this month is coming towards us with open mouth and hands. It's kind of like a cat pouncing, so I call it his "Cat Attack!" Then he bites/open mouth slimes our cheek (or nose or chin...)while holding our face/hugging us. It's his intense version of kissing. He always seems ecstatically happy and affectionate when he is about to "attack." Let's hope these love bites stay friendly as more teeth come in!