My Lil 8 Month Old

I'm behind on this post, but I just couldn't resist the chance to share my chubby little guy and what he's been up to with you! I'll warn you before you get started though, this post is long, and full of details possibly only myself or his gmas and aunts might care about.

Camden hit the 8 month mark on TG's 31st birthday! Sadly I didn't get a picture of the two of them together that day - I blame it on the fact that Cam was still feeling under the weather at that point. But lately he's returned to his happy, charming self!

Pound it!


I have to say his 7th month was the hardest one so far, but only because of the RSV. He was extremely irritable, tired all the time, and hardly interested in anything other than snuggling, nursing, and sleeping.

He did hit a big milestone during this month though! On December 23rd, the day my family flew in to celebrate Christmas with us he started army crawling, by dragging himself across the floor for a bag of yogurt melts and his sister's sippy.



Within a few days of that he was crawling on his hands and knees and quickly learned how to go from a sit, to a crawl and back to a sit.

Yes, he's eating a french fry.


As of today Camden has gotten really good at pulling up to a stand (we just lowered his crib yesterday), cruising all around the house using whatever he can get his hands on to help himself, and even standing alone for a few seconds at a time. He puts these new skills to good use by attacking our tree (yes it's still up, fully lit and decorated with "or-ma-ments" as Riley would say)



He hasn't had a check up in a while, and his appetite was seriously decreased while he was so sick, but I think he's weighing in at about 20-21 pounds. He is also very long, just like his big sister.

Now that he's feeling better, he's eating like a horse again taking in at least 2-3 containers of food at a sitting. He's also started eating more finger foods like cereal, crackers, hot dogs, pasta and bread. Occasionally he accidentally bites his little fingers when he is stuffing the food in, but I guess that's what happens when you already have 8 chompers. He's also very attached to me still for nursing, but thankfully doesn't bite me with those teeth!



Camden doesn't seem to have stranger anxiety at all, which is a welcome relief from our Riley girl who was shall we say, extremely selective from a very young age. Camden willingly reaches for whoever wants to hold him and he loves examining faces. He does, however, keep close tabs on my whereabouts.

This is my sister (holding Cam), my mom and I on Christmas Day. This picture just tugs on my heartstrings because they live far away and we don't get to see them very much, but my children adore them!


Cam is completely enamored by Riley and they have started to interact even more. He wants to be wherever she is, even if that means ransacking her new tea set or princess dolls. Ry takes it in stride and usually just admonishes him with a sweet "No, no brudder" before moving away. She really is an amazing big sister and is so patient, loving and kind with Camden. Today they were having a conversation of "argh, grrr" in the back of the car together. Riley thinks it's hilarious that he will copy her if she makes his favorite sounds.



He loves playing, chewing on things and exploring his newfound mobility, but I think Cam's favorite time of day is bathtime. He just LOVES it and he starts cooing, babbling, splashing and playing the minute his tush hits the tub.




As for sleeping, I'm not sure if it's the 8 month regression, him just "waking up" after being sick for so long, or maybe both, but nighttimes have gotten a little dicey around here. I had gotten used to and quite comfortable with him being a sleep champ from birth practically. He still naps regularly and well, but lately he has been waking up crying in the middle of the night sometime between 1:00 and 3:00 am and then again between 4:00 and 6:00 am. At this point I'm letting him cry it out the first time he's up and then I get up to nurse him the second round. I do remember this happening with Riley around this age and it was right before she started walking (at 9 1/2 months which isn't too far away) so we'll see.

The truth is, he's growing so fast that even though I'm tired I am loving the extra chance to cuddle him close and stroke his chubby baby soft cheeks while the house is quiet and it's just me and him awake together. Always after he nurses I pick him up to burp him and he'll snuggle into my neck, stick his finger in his mouth (that's his pacifier) and let me hold him close and rock with him. I've learned from experience that I can't get these days back, nor do they last forever, so I'm trying to stay in the moment with him while I can.



Happy 8 months Cam Boo. I hope someday you'll read this blog, appreciate even the most mundane details I shared about your sweet self and be able to tell just how very much I love you.