KB: 8 Months

8 months ago I never could have imagined how full of joy my life would be, and it’s all because of this silly munchkin.

He made me laugh before, but now that he’s fully mobile and capable of going where ever his little heart desires, he has me laughing all day long. He’s a boy who knows what he wants- and when he can’t figure out how to do it he gets mmmaaaaddd.

I’m so impressed with the determination and patience he exhibits. Things I would give up on in a matter of minutes, he sticks with and repeats until he succeeds…or gets distracted.

A mobile baby changes everything. It opens up a whole new world for him to explore, and a whole new world of things for him to get into or hurt himself with. I try not to be too protective but we’ve already had a few bumps and bruises. Even with only a month of crawling and standing under his belt, he’s already so much more stable and confident. I fear the days of actually walking.

Even before he was mobile, this boy never liked to sit still and that shows more than ever now. Diaper changes are a circus act- sideways, upside down, while crawling or rolling, you name it, I’ve done it. Bath time is a bit of joke right now. He’s learned to crawl from his room to the bathtub…he’s also learned to stand up and try to get out of the bathtub, so baths last all of 2 minutes if we’re lucky.

Kabes is a champion eater. He’s never turned down a meal or refused a food. If the next piece of food isn’t in his mouth within 30 seconds of finishing the bite before he screams to let you know.

We’ve added asparagus, pumpkin, raspberries, potatoes, plums, cauliflower, and surely a few more I’m forgetting. He loves to feed himself, whether it’s finger foods or grabbing a loaded spoon and putting it in his mouth himself. We’re still going with the baby led weaning-ish approach. I’m definitely a fan of finger foods- so much less messy- but some foods are easier with a spoon, like super ripe avocado and canned pumpkin. Avocado and banana remain well-loved favorites. Applesauce and figs are on do-not-eat list: major baby vomit.

Like many things, we take eating day by day with a laid back approach. We aim for a morning and late afternoon meal of solids, with about 5 or so nursing sessions throughout the day. I love breastfeeding and the cuddle time it gives me with my favorite little boy, but sometimes I can really feel the toll it’s taking on me. It takes A LOT of calories, and my choice of calories is limited by his intolerances. I’m able to eat enough to maintain my supply, but trying to put on muscle and train for an endurance event feels like a bit of a joke right now. To oversimplify things, I have very little left in my tank {both physically and mentally} at the end of the day.

Perhaps our biggest first of the month –even bigger than pulling up and standing- was the start of daycare. Part-time, but daycare nonetheless. He did great the first week with shortened days, but we’re struggling to figure out how to work around naps now that they are on their regular length days. Hopefully he’ll adjust soon.

Sleep in general is still an issue, but we’re getting there. Figuring out some of his food allergies has helped, but didn’t magically solve all of our problems. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but this is one exhausted, brain-dead momma.

But a proud momma. And a happy momma.

 

Previous months updates