Aislynn: 8 months & creepin-crawlin!

Aislynn is 8 months today! I wish time would sloooooww down! Last Thursday, 12/3 I took the day off to get caught up on some housework (I know, pretty sad I had to use a vacation day for that), but it was so worth it. I loved playing with baby all day. For the past month, she's been rocking (really, since she was about 6 months) I got to watch her scoootch herself across the floor in her official first "crawl". I was so proud of her, but also a little sad b/c she's just growing so fast. So there she was on her blanket. I had some toys in front of her... She'd get up on her hands/knees and rock, rock, rock... then she'd push herself forward w/ her knees and use her elbows to pull herself, then she's pop up and she'd be a little further then she was. She kept doing this till she reached her toy. During the last few days, she's gotten even better - kind of inch-worm, army crawling. Just wait till she realizes she can really take off!
She's just so much more sturdy in general - when she sits, she balances really well - she's just starting to lower herself from a sitting to laying position. Other updates & new characteristics:
*6 mo was the birdy chirping (high pitch) & rocking...
*7 months + she started screetching & yelling again (playfully) just these high pitch squeeling noises, her voice got the loudest it ever has... to the point that it rattles.
*Full on hair pulling to the extreme :) and MAJOR signs of teething w/ pink cheeks & all
*She started wanting to hold her bottle more by herself
*She really gets to batting on things (like she's playing drums)
*She started sitting in her tub now, she doesn't like to recline as much
*We introduced "meats" into her menu... she doesn't mind them too bad (still doesn't like peas) but she eats her veggies a little better
*Tried the little fruit "puffs" and she gums them up like she's chewing
*Weight at 7 1/2 mo was about 16 lbs (I need to take her other measurements
*Still wears size 2 diapers, still wears a few 3-6 months onesies/dresses, 6mo, 6-9month for other clothing.
*moved to taking 4 bottles a day and eating solids 3 times a day at 7 1/2 months (she drinks about 6-6.5 oz of milk
*Even though at 6 mo she said "Baba" and "Mama", she stopped - and now is starting to make "bwah,buh" type repetitive sounds. She LOVES to talk and babbles constantly.
*She gets a kick out of dogs
*We started limiting the amount of TV she watches. Now usually just 15-30 mins a day broken up
*She spins herself in a circle by getting on knees and moving one hand over the other in side-ways motions
*Likes to bite (I mean attack) faces especially if she can bite on chins
*Still sucking fingers, still sleepin on tummy or side, still holding blanky over face
*Oh, and now she is all over the crib and likes to play or "roll" a little red spinny thing on her fisher-price sound & lights aquarium (attached to the crib)
*Won't stay put on the changing table, instantly flips as soon as it's time to switch out the diaper.
*Getting rosy cheeks from either dry skin or just from teething
*Hair is growing longer - still not enough to clip a bow in.
*First Crawl: 12/3/09 - almost 8 mo old! (still no teeth)
I do have video of the crawling that I'll post later. I can't believe Christmas is 17 days away! (It was just Thanksgiving!?) I need to get Christmas cards out the DOh'. I wanted to take Aislynn to get pictures with Santa too - How fun it's going to be! We still have to put up some decorations and get our stockings out. I wish I had more time to be creative b/c there are so many things I wanted to do this year (like make our Christmas cards, make us all matching stockings... not to mention the gifts I actually have to make!) ugh!

Anyway, it's weird b/c last year, this time, I was pregnant - 1/2 way there. I remember identifying with Mary b/c I thought "how could she go through this pregnancy, knowing the baby she would birth would be the son of God, ultimately giving his life for others?" This year, I identify with her in a new way b/c now I truly FEEL the amazing love you have as a mother, watching my child grow - wondering what's in store for her, wanting to be a good mom & raise her right. I think about what Mary felt knowing she was raising the SON OF GOD! a Prince! I know God loves my Aislynn as much as He loved Jesus and I feel an overwhelming responsibility to raise her like I was raising Jesus. I think about the scene from "The Passion" - where Mary is watching Jesus carry the cross... and how he stumbles... she's reminded of a time from when he was a little boy running, and stumbling... Every night, I thank God for my precious baby. Aside from God sacrificing his own son for me - Aislynn is the most amazing gift. Instead of being sad that she's growing so fast, I want just want to rejoice that my baby is on her way to becoming something amazing - someone that will bring light to others, and glory to God!
So, my busy week began with a productive day of cleaning on Sunday. Lots to do still in preparation for Christmas (as mentioned above). Friday we have a Christmas party for our church worship team (fun!) then this weekend I have to get our package ready for Canada. We're already behind schedule! I wish I could take the rest of the month off! We did hire a deck-contractor and HOPEFULLY he'll hurry up and start/finish by this weekend (although it's unlikely w/ this rainy weather).

Will post more pics/video soon! One thing I HAVE to remember is to take her hat off while traveling in the car... This weekend on the way home, she fell asleep and AGAIN her hat slipped down - lights out... so cute!

Aislynn 7 days old & 7 1/2 months old