The big EIGHT

So hard to believe December is here! Poor little Jakob celebrated his eight month birthday with lots of STOMACH FLU. Poor kid. I know there is a first time for everything... too bad flu had to be one of those things. He has not exactly been chipper through this first flu, but he sure is cute as a bug when he is in the mood to snuggle. The dreaded sickness hit as we were unloading our family on the way to the annual Christmas parade in our community. Jakob then unloaded on me. In his carrier. Down the front of my shirt. Three times. I was heartbroken for him, but it reminded me to be thankful for health when we have it.

Jakob has had an uneventful month, really. He has had a cold or two, but he hasn't changed much in his mobility (still an inchworm). He is sitting up very well now, and he's feeling more freedom to plop himself over when he needs to move on. I love watching him sit in front of a favorite toy. His expressions are funny... always snoopy, sometimes delighted, rarely ticked off. The girls love to replace and replenish his toys, and someday he will revolt. For now, he puts up with it well. He seems to be thinning out some, but I still love the pudginess he still has :)

His sleep has been fine during the day... still not very predictable at night. He will do stretches of two or three nights in a row that make me forget he has some "night" issues. Then he will remind me. Strongly. I am a very sympathetic mommy knowing that he was getting 5 teeth at once, and 2 have yet to cut. He now has three on the bottom and two on the top. He is still a little eater, and his favorites are sweet potatoes, squash, applesauce, pears, and rice. I still tease him with peaches, but he still despises them!

Since most of his outfits are used, he can fit comfortably in some 12month clothing, but he's mostly on track for his age. He is getting loud - exercising his voice in all different ranges and volumes. His new favorite is sitting in the shopping cart (!!!) while we grocery shop. He holds on for dear life and charms all the old ladies who love the curl on the top of his head. He LOVES to hear the "Jakob Henry" song the girls sing to him, and I love the way he will peek out of his crib to find them in the morning. He is still SUPER ticklish, and he loves to have his earlobes massaged :) Yea, only a mom cares.

Here are my fun's and not-so-fun's for now:

fun's:

* I love when he is healthy and happy. This sicky thing is pathetic!
* I am really enjoying the way we are interacting. He loves to hit my face, so we have our first "training" project on our hands. Even the girls are teaching him the world "gentle!"
* He still scrunches up his little face and squints his eyes when he's begging for something.
* Drinking dark chocolate almond milk. Wait- that's me... because of him. Duh! Sorry...
* He is so curious! His favorite toy is a little musical table that I have stashed under Em's bunk. He scootches over there and tries to get it (not without injuries!). He also loves trying to play with their dress-up necklaces, and he gets a little annoyed when I confiscate them.
* He is trying to clap so hard! He can smack toys together well, and he ends up just clapping his fists together now.
* He BEGS for his food. As soon as he sees his highchair, he goes crazy. Hmm-ing and smacking his mouth. It's so funny!

not-so-fun's:

* I have heard his scream more than I care to with all of this teething stuff! :(
* Jakob is definitely all boy. He smacks and hits everything, and I just have a feeling his first injury is going to be putting his little fist through our tv cabinet window. Hmm...
* I have been cleaning out clothes, and I just about started crying at the giant box of boys clothes that he has through already! It's crazy how fast time goes.
* I think I'm read for CONSISTENT sleep at night. Is that possible? Should I try again in 10 years?
* This dude is almost done with his infant seat. There are rarely times that I carry him in his seat anymore.

We love you, Jakob! We can't remember life without you. You make our little family happy :)