Clara is 8 Months Old!

{STATS}

• Clara is 21 pounds. I'm not sure her length...but I'm thinking long. :)

{FEEDING}

• Clara is still eating 5 6 ounce bottles of breast milk every 3 to 4 hours. She has oatmeal and a fruit with her second bottle (breakfast), then a veggie with her third bottle, and another veggie with her fourth bottle. Her appetite has been funny (due to teething) so she hasn't been finishing her baby food. We've had such fun with cheerios! She LOVES cheerios. I really should start giving her more table food, but since she doesn't have teeth yet, I've been a little nervous. We are planning on trying avocados and banana soon. Bring on the mess! (She is a MESSY MESSY eater!)

{SLEEPING}

• What a good little sleeping beauty we have. She continues to sleep through the night. She goes down between 6:00 and 7:00 and wakes up between 5:00 and 6:00. Normally I will just put her in her crib, turn on her sound machine and ocean, give her the bobby and she'll put herself to sleep. The past two nights, I've had to rock her and sing her to sleep. I know I should probably just let her fuss, but there is absolutely nothing sweeter than rocking and singing to your baby. It's moments like that, where the world all just makes perfect sense. It's moments like that I will forever cherish. It's moments like that, where I find myself wondering what I did to deserve this beautiful blessing from God. Wow.

{CLOTHING}

• I am shocked to say that Clara is still in size 3 pampers! She just seemed to go from size to size so fast, and she's been stuck here for awhile. I think she'll be in 3s for a while!
• 12 month clothing fits her perfectly! She's so long, so I've been trying to by WAY bigger so she can wear it longer. I love this warm weather so she can wear thos precious bubbles and sun dresses. Now she can show off those hams!
• She is wearing size 3 shoes.

{PERSONALITY}

• I think our Peanut is a little on the shy side...which does NOT surprise me at all considering I was a very shy little girl and Derek is still very shy. If someone abruptly comes up to her and talks loudly, she'll just kind of stare at them. It's kind of funny, really. Then she will eventually give her shy, tiny grin.
• She is truly the happiest little angel I've ever met. Everything makes her happy. Especially: her daddy, her puppies, a wash rag, playing on a blanket with toys, grabbing her bow, playing with her own remote, Mickey, mommy singing, books, squealing and screaming and baths! She is such a joy!
• She LOVES a shopping cart! She kicks those little legs and throws her arms up in the air. Shopping carts are such fun!
• Clara also LOVES high chairs at restaurants. Again, it's a great place to kick those little legs and throw her arms in the air...AND squeal!
• She wants to see what is going on...all the time. She wants us to hold her facing out so she can check it all out.
• She LOVES Miss Jessica (her amazing sitter). She just lights up when we get to her house each day. We've been so blessed to have someone watch and love our baby as much as we do.

Clara Beth, what did we do before you? You are my everything. I love you!

Clara is 7 Months Old!

{FEEDING}

• Clara eats 5 6 ounce bottles of breast milk every 3 hours. She has her first bottle around 5:30 in the morning. Her second feeding is a bottle, some oatmeal and a jar of fruit. Her second feeding is a bottle only. Her third feeding is a bottle and a jar of veggies (squash is her absolute favorite!) Her fourth feeding is a bottle. Then her fifth feeding is a bottle and a jar of veggies. So far she has had squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, bananas, pears, peaches, prunes, and apples.

{SLEEPING}

• Little bit is still sleeping through the night in her room. She's a great little sleeper. She takes GREAT naps for Miss Jessica...as in two 1 to 2 hour naps each day. That's a different story when I have her for nap time. She will take two 30 minute naps when she's with me. I like to think it's because she misses me during the week. :)

{CLOTHING}

• Clara is still in size 3 Pampers (Cruisers). They still seem to fit great...and no major blow outs!
• She wears size 9-12 month clothing. However, it always depends on the brand and how much the clothing shrinks. I'm so happy the weather is getting warmer so I can put her in sundresses and BUBBLES! There's nothing cuter than a baby in a bubble. :)

{PERSONALITY}

• I've never met a happier, more joyful baby. She loves everyone and everything. She is so laid back and is truly a champ when it comes to going out to eat, running errands, etc.
• She loves to sit in her Baby Einstein jumper. She "bounces" aka bobs her head and body back and forth. It's hilarious and precious all at the same time!
• She loves to sit on her blanket and play with her toys. Cooper often lays right beside her so she can grab at him. He's so good with her and so gentle. She's crazy about her puppies.
• She loves to be read to. We read each night. She reaches for the pages and wants to put them in her mouth.
• She crawls...backwards. Or should I say creeps backwards.
• She absolutely loves to be sung to. When we sing her "Clara" song...she flaps those little arms and bounces around. What a doll!Each month just keeps getting better and better. I am the luckiest mommy in the world!