8 is GREAT!

Dear Grevin,
We are here again and I am a little late getting this posted because you keep me way too busy! I barely have a moment just to sit still because you hit the ground running when you wake up and you really would prefer not to sleep. There is way too much going on and you are afraid to miss a second of it.

Each and every month I look back and think that THIS month has been my favorite month so far. I am so sad that time is flying and you are growing so fast right before my eyes but I really am enjoying watching you grow into yourself. This month truly has been my favorite month so far (minus the ear infections!!).

You are a crawling monster. You love to cruise every where, you have mastered going up a few stairs, and pulling yourself up onto just about anything. You can walk the length of the couch if there is a powerful enough incentive at the other end (laptops, remote controls, cell phones are the biggest motivators!). You are in LOVE with cords especially the ones attached to the laptop and we are constantly trying to re-direct you away from the laptop. I was hoping that we could easily distract you for awhile longer but it lasted about 2 days. We can take you in a completely different room with other toys and you will work your way back to that laptop. Your dad can't wait until he can channel that dedication into a sport!

You hate being told no or having things taken away from you. Your little bottom lip sticks out and the real tears start flowing. You will continue until I give you a hug. You are just like your mom in that way, I HATE getting in trouble!

You are getting pretty good at throwing a ball or anything else you may have in hand. You love watching the way it bounces, any noises that it might make, and especially love it if we throw it back at you. You could do this for hours. When we were back in Missouri, you got to throw the ball for Grandpa Kearney's dog and you both loved it. I would let you do it for Ado but his ball is so disgusting and you would try to chew on it too!

You are an eating champion. You sometimes make a face the very first bite that we give you but then chow down on whatever it is. You LOVE puffs and mum-mums. We have to make sure not to give you any of these before your regular food or else you will refuse to eat anything else. You love it when I let you have bites from what I am eating like plums, pears, apples, and bananas. You look so proud that you can eat like a big kid. We have been trying to do more finger food stuff with you but you mash it with your hand before you get it to your mouth. I am still trying to figure out how to make the food where you can grab it with your fingers but still be able to chew it....

You are also starting to recognize some signs. We are starting with "more", "all done", "milk" and "drink." It is fun to watch your face when we say and do the sign. You know exactly what we are talking about! You are also recognizing other words like dog, monkey, and daddy. You still can't figure out your 'mommy' though but I am convinced that you just think we are one person. You haven't said anything that sounds like mommy or daddy yet but we swear you say "up" all the time(just not in context).  You also say "blij" (pronounced bly for you non-Dutch speakers!) all the time.  I think it is quite fitting since it means happy!  You talk constantly though and it will only be a matter of time.

Sleep continues to be interesting with you. You seemed to be doing a little better and then you got the ear infections and we went back to Missouri. I was complaining at work and my coworker cracked me up with her response. She said I would look back on these days with fondness when I am trying to get you out of bed to go to school!! This too shall pass :)

I love you, Grevin. Thank you for being such a happy, loving little boy who lights up our lives more and more each day.

(sorry about the fuzziness of this picture! My camera was left in the car-it was 37 degrees this morning when I pulled it out to take this picture!)