8 Months Old

I am really starting to love these monthly updates. I feel like once the details are recorded, my heart is OK to move on to the next milestone because I can come back and re-live the stages whenever I want. I did, however, catch a slight smell that reminded me of the NICU the other morning when I was cuddling Gray after feeding him and my heart broke just a little bit. And then he gave me a huge slobbery kiss on the cheek and I remembered that I wouldn't trade this time for anything. Not even to have brand new Nash and brand new Gray again.


My boys love me. I know that. But, oh they love their dad. Dad is a hero around here. His lap is the best seat in the house.



These boys are QUICK. I still have to take one out of the tub at a time, so I drain the tub, wrap one up, lay him on the rug, and go get whoever is still in the cold, empty tub. And regardless of who is on the rug, they are naked and thrilled about it by the time I turn back around with their towel nowhere in sight.



See that mischievous smile on Gray's face? Yeah, it's showing up more and more these days. And it just makes me so excited. I LOVE the mischief that comes with boys. [I hope I remember that when they make me want to rip my hair out sometime down the road.]



And it makes me even more happy that they will ALWAYS have a partner in crime. Brothers are the best. And these two are major fans of each other.



Gray is so beautiful to me. He has his daddy's eyes and nose. And I kiss them constantly. He is a doll.



This was my first attempt at shooting in manual mode with the remote control. I am just giddy about it! I feel like I can be in more pictures with the boys. It takes a lot of planning and a lot of tries, but then you get the one that really captures a feeling and it's perfect. I love Gray's hair and his little content grin in this one. We look out their bedroom window at the big green tree outside or the train as it goes by in the mornings. It is the best.



I keep thinking the boys need haircuts [around their ears especially! It's getting a little scruffy...] until I see a picture like this. Oh my handsome dude.



I've been taking the boys down to the Chiropractic clinic at Parker University every week for the past month. It has made such a difference! I am a huge advocate for adjusting from birth. There are two interns there that are specializing in pediatric chiropractic. They are the absolute best. The boys were having a hard time with constipation. I had changed their diet and pumped the fluids and nothing was changing. I mentioned this to the interns, they gave a quick adjustment and ever since, there is no sign of constipation at all. I just love how much chiropractic can do. I feel like it is so non-invasive and I love that I am not putting harmful chemicals into my babes' bodies.



And when they get adjusted, they can play HARD because we will work out all the kinks later. They love playtime with Dad. He is working so hard lately. We live for the times he gets home before the boys go to bed. And the weekends. He balances everything better than anyone I know. It's so impressive to me. And it makes me so happy that the boys look forward to their time with him and really make the most of it! They get so giggly when he's around!



Nash consistently scooches himself right underneath the couch. He doesn't like it under there. Hasn't figure out how to avoid it. Poor kiddo. But I think it's hilarious. haha.



Every time we put Nash in the stroller, he puts his fist in the air. And keeps it there for the duration of the ride. It's so funny! I think he looks so handsome here. I love his dark hair and light eyes. He is such a lady killer!



We finally put the boys in the shopping cart after a friend of mine [Cam's cousin] sent me the most adorable picture of her little boy in a shopping cart. I couldn't believe they were big enough for that! But oh we stopped traffic.



The fastest way to get everybody clean for church is a shower with Dad. The boys are so animated! They love the water. And love the naked. I think all babies love that.



beautiful, beautiful Nash.



CHEESE!



Gray has been chewing on anything and everything trying to get his teeth through. No luck so far. He sits up really well though. He is SO strong.



I give the boys some finger foods to practice with at every meal. They are getting better and better! Gray picks up the food and smooshes it into his mouth with the rest of his hand and gets the food in there 100% of the time now. Nash is working on pinching the food with his thumb and index finger and does a pretty great job of it. He probably makes it into his mouth about 70% of the time. I love watching them figure things out! It is so fun to see their minds working.



This is what I wake up to every day. Regardless of where I put them down to bed, they end up right against the side of the crib that borders the other crib. And they almost always wake up happy. It is so fun! The sadness comes when I pick one up out of the crib to nurse him. I try to switch off, but a lot of the time I just pick up the one who isn't quite as happy as the other. And for the next 10 minutes, I sing our morning song roundup. It consists of a few originals. "Wake up, wake up, wake up I said! It's time to get out of your bed. The day is here! It's so much fun to wake each morning with the sun!" followed by "When you wake up be happy! Be happy when you're awake! When you wake up be happy! It's gonna be a good day! When the sun is up start smiling! It's easy if you can. 'Cause I love my Gray Baby! I love my Nash Man!" And then we sing the cougar fight song. A few times through this and it's time to nurse the other one. I have really noticed a major change in myself from singing first thing in the morning. I am happier when we do this. I am a better mom. I love it.



OH that belly. :) [Nash]



OH those legs! [Gray]



We have been working on not hitting our brothers. It is a hard thing.



Sesame Street is on Netflix. The boys watch maybe 5 minutes of it before they are done and on their bellies playing with something else, BUT it gets me a shower! And they love the songs. It was so fun for me to see them enjoy that part of it. I felt a little part of my mom-dream fulfilled. Which sounds a little silly, but my mom let us watch Sesame Street all growing up and it is one of my fondest childhood memories. My siblings and I still adore a lot of the classics. And so many clips from Sesame Street still crack me up. I loved seeing Nash and Gray love something I loved when I was their age too.



We are vain. We have discovered ourselves in the mirror. And it is the best thing ever. They get so giddy when their reflection is staring back at them.



We watched the election. The boys couldn't handle the tension.



Nash gave us his best analysis and prediction, which was that Romney would get the most votes but lose the election. Smartie pants.



Daddy taught them all about Nutella on Toast. We pretty much just think anything Dad does is the best.



The boys are wearing 12 month old jammies now. They look so grown up to me! Ah! Especially that last picture. My friend Karen sent them to us right before the boys got here and I remember thinking that they would NEVER fit something that big! They do. And at 8 months no less. Oh they grow up so fast! I love their hair in this picture too. Such handsome gents.



I have no idea where this wolf hat came from, but seriously? Seriously. I die. Look at that face! Cam takes one of the boys running with him after he gets home from school every day. It is such a treat. They are always so proud of themselves when they get back for getting such fun time with Dad. It makes me melt.



The longer Nash's hair gets, the crazier it gets. He has my dad's hair. Fine and thick. And it has a mind of its own. Especially after bedtime or naps. :)



I told a friend the other day that "I swear infertility is the best thing that's ever happened to me." And I should probably explain. I feel like every little thing in my life is a blessing [that pertains to the boys.] I have bad days too. Don't get me wrong. But seriously, I think everything is SO fun now! We are planning what to put in the boys' stockings and what to get them for their birthday coming up and it just makes me giddy. I LOVE IT. I love them. I love making them happy. They are my whole world. And my world rocks.