8 Months Old!

On May 5th, Ava turned 8 months old...the countdown is on until she is a year old! It is going by way too fast! Over the past month she has amazed me every single day. I just keep saying how much she has grown up in the way she does the things. Of course, being the sappy, sentimental mother, I keep remembering how she is able to do things now that she used to not try to do, she recognizes people and things and seems to have an understanding of what they are. For instance, when she sees me grab a spoon, she knows that it gives her food, so she starts whining for something to eat. She does so well with playing by herself, she is content to sit on the floor or in her exersaucer/jumperoo and just play, until she gets tired. We still haven't made it sleeping thru the night, its once a night now, and she usually wants to play when she gets up around 3:30 or 4:30...not exactly mommy's idea of playtime, but I know this phase will pass! She says Dada, but we cannot get a mama or anything remotely close out of her...why do dads get the first word when its mom's who spend all their time with them? (That's a whole other post on another day!!) Ava also had her first time spending the night away from home. Adam and I went out with some very good friends for my birthday and we let her stay with my mom and dad...they say she slept from 11:00 to 7:00....but I am convinced they drugged her- She will not sleep for me, even if I keep her up late and wear her out! hmmmm..... She weighs about 18 pounds and is holding steady here. She still wears 3-6 month clothes and a few 6-9. She still has only 2 teeth, but I think another 2 are about to pop thru. She has now learned to play the piano with her daddy and of course, he believes she is a prodigy! :) Each month she gains is so bittersweet, I love watching her grow, but I hate that she is getting older, it just keeps reminding me that nothing is more important than stopping to enjoy life with her and watching her learn and grow!