My 8 month old

When Carson was little, I was so good about documenting every month. I love being able to look back at the things he was accomplishing. I want to be more diligent about doing that now. Especially with the rest of Caden's first year.

He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21







Caden is such a happy boy. His smile lights my heart, and his laughter fills our ears. I am amazed every day at the way the Lord has answered the prayers I prayed over him while he was still inside of me. At 8 months old, Caden is extremely mobile and fast. He's crawling, pulling up, trying to cruise the furniture. He's figured out how to pull open drawers, and he is constantly pulling things out of drawers and off of our coffee table. Thankfully there are only magazines on their for the most part. He is in to everything! He is fascinated by stairs (thus the baby gate blocking off that part of our house). He definitely keeps me on my toes. He's a joy to be around and is such a smiley boy. He laughs all the time and is constantly grinning at Carson. He thinks that everything Carson does is absolutely hilarious! He has become very vocal about his opinions. If I leave the room he squeals in protest, and if he wants me, he crawls to me as fast as he can, pulls up on my legs and grins with all his might like he's saying "aren't I cute?? Don't you just want to love on me!?" :) His grin is hilarious with his six teeth. The two top center ones are still working their way in so his teeth are all uneven. He's just as cute as can be. He's quite the conversationalist and loves to babble with you. He will repeat you if you babble something to him, and is saying da-da now. It's not in reference to anyone, but Cary can dream. :)

Now that he is healthy again, he LOVES to eat! Anything and everything in sight! If you are holding him and eating, he will literally try to take your food away from you! :) He makes the funniest faces when he eats. With the first few bites of food, no matter what it is, he scrunches up his face like it was the most sour thing he has ever tasted. Once his is adjusted to the flavor, he frequently does this double eyed wink thing. And grins at you like he is just so cute. I don't know how else to explain it, but it's really funny. When he was sick, we were lucky if he would eat half of a stage 1 jar of baby food once a day. Now he is eating 3 times a day plus snacks, and will eat a jar and a half in a sitting easily.

I know this has played a big part in the recent improvement in his night sleeping habits. When he got sick, he started waking up at least every 2 1/2 hours all night. Now, we're down to twice a night, and I have a feeling even that will lessen soon. He's taking more consistent naps now too. Generally, he'll sleep for 2+ hours in the morning, and an hour in the afternoon. Sometimes he'll take a 3rd short nap in the early evening, and he's down for the night around 7. All I can say is yay for sleep! It's amazing how much easier life is with a healthy baby after he was sick for so long. He is so busy and wants to be on the move so much that he fights sleep with all of his might. When he is tired, he rubs his head and sucks his thumb. But when you answer his cues, he will fight for all his worth. When he decides he's lost the battle, his compliance is immediate. He will be asleep within moments.

Silly song by Mommy that's the hit of the moment:
Ca-den, Ca-den
Caden, Caden Gary is my boy...

I know it's simple and silly, but it will catch his attention and calm him at any given moment, especially if sung at a whisper.

Here is a short video I took at the park today. His giggle cracks me up.