Ruth,

Today my little girl you are 8 months old. It's unbelievable just how much you have grown, and just how fast! You were 8 lbs and 19 1/2 inches at birth, 10 lbs 4 oz and 21 1/2 inches at 1 month, 11 lbs 15 oz and 22 1/4 inches at 2 months, and 15 lbs ans 7 oz and 25 3/4 inches at 5 1/2 months. At your doctors appointment a couple of weeks ago, you were up to 16 lbs 12 oz and 26 inches long.

You are getting around now. There has been a time or two that you have coordinated your knees and hands to crawl a step or two, but for the most part you lay on your stomach, stretch out your legs and push with the tips of your toes, then you stretch out your arms, and grab with your fingers and pull and wiggle yourself toward whatever toy you are trying to get. Since you are heavier than Britt was at this age, I'm not surprised too much that you are crawling or pulling up on the furniture yet, but I doubt it'll be long. You still like to rock on your hands and knees and often look like you'll be taking off after Britt, as you laugh and smile.

You are still an incredibly happy child. You got your first pop on the leg a few nights ago from Daddy for misbehaving, I told him you are still too small to know better. Most of the time, I can look stern and say no, and you immediately stop and get teary eyed. Sometimes if Britt is getting fussed at and he's near you in the floor you assume we are fussing at you and cry. It's so pitiful.

You are up to eating twice a day, two servings of cereal, one of fruit, and one of vegetables. You like applesauce and squash best, and the only thing you really dislike is green beans. You chew on absolutely everything from toys to Britt's hair when he lays in your lap. We aren't regularly giving you a sippy cup with juice yet, but while Grandmother and Granddaddy were here you seemed to all of a sudden make a connection with it. You don't hold it up very well on your own, but when it's up you sure have figured out how to suck that thing down. You still have no teeth, so I guess I'm crazy. Who knows when you'll get them. I thought my allergies were acting up over the weekend, but I guess I had a cold, because you've had a bit of one yesterday and today. That's another first.

People continue to be surprised by how easy going you are. You will sit in the floor and just watch people, and when you catch their eye, oh how you grin. You are only fussy about 6 in the evening when Daddy and I are working on supper and different things. You love to be held and cuddled. You nestle up against my neck and suck on your thumb, and sing your sleepy song. You love to talk to your Daddy, and especially enjoy laughing and babbling at Britt whenever he pays you the slightest attention.

We love you so very much,

Momma