8 months old!

What is Ava up to at 8 months?

Everything.

Oh specifics? Ok here we go

-she is crawling EVERYWHERE and pulling up on EVERYTHING and constantly pulling dare-devil stunts. this girl keeps us BUSY -- and i love it :)
- she waves 'bye-bye' but of course never when we try to show it off to people. she waves the right way too and not backwards like a lot of kids seem to do.
- she does this thing when we saw "aww" she leans her head against yours or whoever you're saying "aww" too and it is the sweetest thing in the world. She's doing it on her own and not on command anymore too which is even cuter.
- she is giving kisses, which aren't quite kisses, its more like an open mouth drool fest kiss on your cheek...but who doesn't want that?? it is just so sweet every time she does it.
- she is sleeping better! most of the time she goes to sleep between 7-8:30 and sleeps until anywhere between 5-7. it isn't always like that but its getting more regulated which is wonderful!
- speaking of sleep, lately (and i hope this doesn't jinx it) at night we will walk in the room, turn out the light, i say 'ni-night' and turn on her seahorse, and at that point is when i try  to rock her. I say try because lately she has been reaching for her crib and as soon as you lay her down she snuggles up with her blanket and goes to sleep. That's it. No crying, nothing. Which is AMAZING, don't get me wrong...I just miss rocking her sometimes :)
- she is getting closer and closer to her 3 meals a day routine. At 9 months is when they are suppose to be transitioning so we are in the training process I suppose.
- she LOVES puffs and cheerios. she is getting SO good at picking things up! she still doesn't quite use her thumb right but hey she gets it in her mouth herself so we are glad!
- she is in 6-9 month clothing now. All 3-6 month onesies are out - her head doesn't fit through them haha some of the pants still work and especially if they look cute as capri's!
- she has stood on her own a couple times. not long, not well, but she's done it. we are on our way to needing more baby-proofing items.
- ok this one i don't quite know how to explain...you know how you make the noise and motion when you are 'imitating' an Indian? (this is not meant to offend anyone, sorry) well Ava now can do this herself, except instead of with her palm facing her with a flat hand like normal, she makes a fist and does it with the back of her hand near her knuckles. yup. i think it may be something you just have to see....
- she is paying a lot more attention to who is holding her. instead of just being passed from person to person without realizing what is going on she is now reaching for people and shy-ing away from people.
-this girl is impossible to put a diaper on. she may be fine at first, but you better believe before you have the old diaper off and the new diaper on she will be rolling and flipping all over the place.
- she is in love with food. if she notices you eating something (even if you try and be super sneaky about it) she will just stare you down and make little noises and move her mouth until you end up feeling bad and giving in. she has it down.
- she still love love loves being outside. it still never fails to make her feel better no matter what mood she is in. walk outside and boom - happy baby.
- she is more and more demanding every day. not in a bad way, just a busy way? does that make sense?
- we are trying to start introducing sippy cups. We were given these and she drinks great out of these because it still has the nipple on top and so she knows what to do with it. We just got a new set that she still can't quite figure out since it has the actual sippy cup ... sipper haha
- i just know she will be able to really use an iPhone before she is 2, if not around age 1 really. as soon as she see's one out she crawls right over to it and wants to flip through everything. there is an app called 'phony phone' and it has all the numbers and makes phone noises - she loves it. Mema and Papa just got her a play phone that she plays with all the time. makes me wonder what she'll be using when she's a teenager ha!
- she gets more animated by the day. she's got the most hilarious grumpy face, the sweetest smile, and the cutest laugh. joy all around -- even during the grumpy times :)
- she loves the touch and feel books. it is so funny because she will take just her pointer finger and scratch the fur or cardboard or whatever is in the book. just one finger. then she will 'pat pat pat' it but at first it is always with one finger.
- when she is crawling around and ends up in the kitchen she always crawls right over to the dishwasher and gives herself a kiss in the reflection. every. time.
- she still crosses her feet at the ankles when she is 'lounging' or sitting
- her hair is actually starting to grow in the back! never mind the fact that it looks a little like a rat tail right now, she has hair! well she's always had it in the front and the sides but the back is finally catching up! and it is still curly on the ends. i'm so excited to see how it eventually turns out
- you cannot walk through Target, Walmart or any other store without being stopped by at least 5 people who talk to her and tell her how cute she is. never fails.
- one of her favorite songs right now (besides the Elmo's World song) is 'Country Strong' by Gwyneth Paltrow. yes, the one from the movie. and no, i don't really know how it became a favorite.


and for BIG news, Ava has her first crush. Yep, that's right. Our 8 month old little girl has a crush. Every time she see's him or even hears his voice in the distance she breaks out in to a HUGE smile. She stares at him longer than she does anyone else. Oh, you want to know who?

This guy. Yep, Ava loves Elmo. Now everyone knows.

Coming up ....
I'm actually going to be blogging again - ARE YOU SHOCKED?!
Mobile Monday's will make a comeback!
Updates will be given!
Backgrounds will be changed!

Prepare to be an avid reader again.