8 things...

...that I want to remember from Jack being 8 months old.

1. I walked into your nursery after nap time and you sat and played with your blankie and pacifier for minutes without crying. I think you like your comfy bed. :) As I stood there watching you, I noticed about a hundred bite marks alongside your crib. Well, so much for this crib being our "heirloom" crib for our future baby(s).

2. Your army crawling face. You make this awfully determined face when you spot something out of reach...and...you're off! Grunting, scooting, sitting, crawling, and pulling yourself up on everything and anything you find, including me.

3. Your first "words". Yesterday, after leaving the bustling, loud, and crowded farmer's market downtown, you yelled out "Da! Da! Da!" I think you were so excited to be out and about with people that you listened and watched and wanted them all to hear you, too. Your dad and I laughed and laughed as you yelled out loud hearing your voice saying actual consonant sounds for the first time. I said you to, "Jack, can you say mama?" and how did you respond? Typical on-the-movies response: DA! DA! DA!

4. Our everyday food adventures. Right now, you take a huge gulp of your big boy sippy cup filled with ice water and gasp as if your little baby mouth has been refreshed! So adorable. You love my still-homemade baby food concoctions and you pretty much will eat anything and everything I put in front of you. You're still in the shove-everything-in-your-mouth stage and let's be honest, you drop more than you eat. However, you've tasted turkey meat spaghetti, shared a baked potato and chili at Wendy's with me, and you'll chomp on Mexican rice and beans like it's your job.

5. The fact that you're our little sleeping champ. A few nights ago I missed you. So, I grabbed your sleepy self and cuddled on the couch with you. You stayed sleeping on my shoulder for what seemed like forever. I gently put you back in your crib, and you kept sleeping! You also fall asleep wherever we are, and no matter what you'll fall back asleep! Thank goodness :)

6. Our carefree days of summer. You and I spend our mornings strolling the neighborhood, hanging out in pajamas, and walking all over the place. We swing, we giggle, and we just enjoy each other. I am so thankful for these weeks at home.

7. Your ever-changing faces. When you glance at me, you smile the most gigantic ear-to-ear smile I've ever seen. When you're reaching for something, you have the most determined look on your face. When you try new food you make this hilarious what did you just put in my mouth face?! When you're mad, you scrunch your nose, cheeks, and mouth and wail, wail, wail! We're always sure when you're mad!

8. Walking, crawling, moving man! I'll never forget how fast you've learned how to climb our stairs. I'll never forget the day I watched you go from sitting to standing in seconds flat -- without my help! I'll never forget the day when you started walking with just me holding your little hands...

As I transition back into working momma {gasp!}, I want to remember our little moments shared together. I won't forget your slobber, your crrruuunnncchhh that your two little teeth make as you bite into a cracker, and your big, gigantic smile whenever I glance your way. I don't want to forget your 8th month, because it has been the month filled with new, fun, and amazing times spent together, just us.

As the bell rings between classes, as I grade my 140 students' papers, and as I get messy in science labs with my 8th graders, I'll be thinking of you. I'll fill my room with your pictures. I'll text my daycare lady to make sure you're being a good big man. And, my car will ZOOM as fast as it can as soon as those middle schoolers slam the doors wide open as the school day ends. Here's to a new school year. Here's to an entire year away from you, little man. Here's to May 23rd, 2012. (Yes, I've already marked the last day of school in my calendar!) =)

I love you Jack!