Letter to an Eight Month Old on His Birthday

You are such a cool kid Dax. When we flew up to Minnesota for your Aunt Stacy's baby shower, you made all the people in the airport smile. How many times did I hear, "What a good-natured kid. What a happy baby you have there." Or "He is just so cute."

The coolest thing was when we walked into the airplane, and everyone was already sitting down, and we were late (as usual). I noticed that as we shuffled down the aisle, everyone was looking up at us and smiling. I looked at you and you were just looking from person to person grinning and giggling. You started a Wave of Joy. I think you thought you were on the Red Carpet and everyone was there to see you. It was awesome to see just how much joy you can bring to not just me, but a whole plane!

at Nana's in Minnesota--look at that smile!

You were so great with your Nana and Aunt Stacy and Cousin Nova. Nova was all. over. you. And you loved it. You saw so many people while you were there: Your Great Aunt Vicki and your cousins (first, once removed :-)): Erica and Rachel (they adored you). You love people so much that you are such a joy to have around in crowds. The more people, the better. You rarely fuss unless you are super hungry or tired.

watching cartoons with your cousin Nova

 Preggo Aunt Stacy with cousins, Dax and Nova

When we got back from our trip, we retired the car seat for good for sleeping. We went through a couple rough weeks after that, but you're finally done with it. One of the biggest reasons you adjusted so well is because now, after months of barely doing it EVER, you are finally using your 'rolling over' skill. So right before you nod off to sleep completely, you turn over on your side, making yourself much more comfortable. You are just like your mama, little man--I can't sleep on my back either.

This month was definitely the month of lots of visitors--the next weekend your Grandpa Gary visited. He helped while I recovered from an awful cold. And the next weekend after that was your Great Aunt Gloria from New Orleans. She, of course, adored you.

She brought you a new shirt, she fed you, and she even rocked you and sang you to sleep so I could catch up on some shut-eye. We also took you for a long walk on the beach in Del Mar. You fell asleep, but that means you liked it.

You are changing so rapidly now. Especially in the curiosity department. We are definitely due for baby proofing. I feel like I have to keep my eye on you every second because you move so fast and you want to touch and open and topple everything. In your walker, you scoot around like a Nascar driver, and you constantly take the entire garbage can down, open the top, and then stick your hand in there. In SECONDS. In the backyard the other day, you were in your walker and I turned away for A SECOND and you shoved a rose petal in your mouth. Yuck.


You are up to three meals a day now. You love butternut squash and pomegranate pear. I serve you oatmeal now with banana and you could eat mountains of it. You love sweet potato too, preferably warm and right out of the oven, scooped out of the shell. You are so-so on zucchini or carrots, and you still almost throw up when I feed you peas. Your Daddy is so pleased.

Your toys bore you. Although anything musical is sure to spark your eyes. You prefer mostly random things strewn about the house. It's as if you know exactly what is NOT a toy.

You are also the loudest little kid EVER. Everyone says "I've never seen a baby babble and talk and scream and coo so loud." Literally, you make noises and scream in delight and you are always grunting with glee. You also think it's hilarious to play peekaboo.

I love every stage of you sweetie. I wish I could save little duplicate copies of Every You That Ever Was.