8 Months Old

As Owen continues to grow older, we get to know him more and more. His personality is really starting to shine. We have more and more fun every day. As I try to keep a list of the new and exciting things that he has learned just in the past month, I just shake my head in amazement at how quickly he is growing. It is difficult to recall everything as it seems there are new conquests each and every day.

Owen's 8 month milestones:

• He’s now exploring objects more thoroughly by shaking them, banging them, dropping them, throwing them, but putting them in his mouth is his preferred tried-and-true method. His recent favorite thing is paper. The newspaper, a book, my grocery list…anything paper and he wants it. Then it eventually ends up in his mouth. Yuck!
• Rolls both ways, sits up straight without needing any support and stands while holding on to something. Most noticeably, Owen is now crawling.
• When lying on back, Owen likes to brings his legs up and over chest and grab his feet. So far he hasn’t attempted to put his feet in his mouth, but I’m sure that will occur to him soon.
• Works to get objects that are out of reach. This is especially true if he sees paper. He gets a one track mind to get his hands on some paper. He’s crawled right under our coffee table to grab the newspaper.
• Responds to hearing his name.
• Interested in mirror images. We’ve always enjoyed holding him up to the mirror to get his reaction. The daycare teachers are always writing on his note that he enjoys looking at himself in the mirror. Let’s hope he’s not vain!
• Owen has recently developed stranger anxiety. Our poor neighbor, Elizabeth, who is one of Owen’s biggest fans, gets a cry from Owen when she first sees him now. On the positive side, after you warm up to him he is fine. It’ll be interesting traveling back to Ohio at xmas.
• Frequently laughs, smiles and squeals in delight. Sometimes it’s hard to know what he finds so amusing but there’s nothing better than hearing him laugh. Lately, people have been telling me that Owen seems like a very happy baby. I agree with that, but I have nothing to compare him to. He has his moments of unhappiness, but there’s always a reason for it (tired, hungry, or dirty diaper). Aren’t all babies like this?
• Responds with eyes and facial expressions. His reactions to new food tastes are especially funny.
• Favors Mommy in a big way. He will hold his hands out when he wants me to pick him up. I think it kills Brian that he doesn’t do that for him. I find it adorable that he wants me, but I’m sure some day that will change.