Eighth Month

It’s hard to believe our baby was just 6 lbs 3 oz eight months ago, but now he’s a hearty 25 lbs! We’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching our baby as he continues to learn and develop every day. His eighth month has been full of exploration and movement. He made his way all around the front room on his belly, although most of the motion was circular and backwards. He learned how to snap mom’s bra strap. He loves to babble, and when he’s in the mood he will go on for quite a while. But sometimes he’s very quiet and just observes his surroundings. We discovered that he’s shy, although he usually lets loose at home and sometimes at day care. After much practice Jacob finally figured out how to grab ‘finger food’ with his thumb and forefinger, although he still needs practice with successfully delivering it into his mouth.

We started the month on a roll with sleeping through the night until Jacob started a 5 a.m. pooping routine, and then he began waking due to congestion, and then add discomfort due to a diaper rash. So, we have had some minor sleep deprivation this month, but Jacob still usually wakes with a smile which makes me smile too J Jacob stubbed his toe (or ingrown toenail), but that seems to be fully healed after applying a topical ointment. The only remaining challenge is the congestion, but we’re pretty sure it’s just allergies and we’re going to try to limit his exposure to the outdoors for a while.

Jacob had his first swim lesson last Saturday and he did great! No tears, a few smiles and he was kicking his legs.

Jacob tried to copy dad blowing bubbles under water, but daddy didn't let him put his face in water.


After a long swim, we had a nice Mexican lunch outside at La Fogata.

Jacob wanted to eat what we were eating, so we shared some avocado and an orange slice.

New things every day!

Jacob turned 8 months just over a week ago, but he's been so active we see him doing new things almost every day! He can't get enough play time. Whether he's eating, trying to fall asleep, or anytime in between, he is grabbing and pulling everything in arm's reach! If your face is close, he grabs your ears or hair on each side of your face and then pulls it toward his mouth. He's quite strong! He's mostly licking right now, but he really wants to get anything in reach into his mouth. On Monday, Manuel noticed that two teeth were starting to come out on Jacob's bottom gum. Poor baby wasn't crying or complaining, but he was drinking less milk and we definitely noticed! Most people say when they see his photos, "he doesn't skip many meals", and it's very true.

Jacob has been sleeping somewhat better lately. Sometimes he's out for the entire night, but other nights he wakes. I noticed several times he's trying to sleep on his side and he starts slipping back, which wakes him up : ) I'm sure the pain in his gums is also contributing to night waking. Today Jacob reached out his arms for daddy to pick him up. Unfortunately, daddy didn't get the hint and instead he gave a few hugs. My poor baby started crying, but he stopped when daddy finally picked him up : )

Here are Jacob's 8 month photos taken last week in his new play area in the front room, which one day it will be the formal dining room:





Enough photos, I'm tired!

Photos from Jacob's 7th month

During his 7th month, Jacob started to enjoy his teething biscuits


Each night Jacob falls asleep after his final meal around 8 p.m.


Jacob still loves his bouncer, but he is approaching the weight limit


We went to a family wedding at San Fernando Cathedral


Congratulations Felicia and Francisco!


We celebrated Jacob's Great Grandma Eva's 81th birthday


Jacob finally got a bigger tub, and he loves playing with his toys in the water


Jacob went on his first train ride with his Grandma Maria at his friend Elliott's 3rd birthday party


Jacob helped his Grandma Maria celebrate her 29th wedding anniversary

Baby Attack

My poor 7 month old baby was attacked today at day care by another unidentified baby, approximately 9 months of age. It might have been one of the five boys or perhaps it was the lone girl, Ava, all of which are about Jacob’s age but weigh a bit less and are more mobile. According to the Occurrence Report, “Jacob was laying with his back on the floor and playing with his toy and another child crawled to him and put his mouth on Jacob’s forehead”. The red mark on Jacob’s forehead was washed with water, and ice pack and some TLC. All is well. Whether the baby was trying to kiss, suck, or bite Jacob’s forehead is unknown, since 9 month olds cannot speak nor defend themselves, so I guess we’ll never know. No physical scars, so hopefully no emotional ones either J

This was not the first traumatic event for Jacob today. He awoke at 5 a.m. screaming because he had rolled over onto his stomach and his left hand was trapped under his body weight. He was half asleep, so I just flipped him back over. Jacob started sleeping in his crib a few weeks ago, since he was just about at maximum length capacity for the co-sleeper in the master bedroom plus he was starting to roll over. He doesn’t seem to notice the difference, but the master bedroom is downstairs so I have to go upstairs a few times a night to change a diaper, give him a pacifier, or reposition him on his back. Jacob loves to look around in his room, and he notices shadows cast on the wall from his night light - he's constantly looking for them.

Jacob is just finishing his 7^th month today. He’s moving a lot more, spinning his body and a few weks ago he began turning over onto his belly. Although once on his belly, the most he can do is lift his head. Jacob can also sit up for long periods of time, but when he gets tired he throws himself backwards (onto a pillow) and scoots his bottom down until he’s flat on his back.

Jacob is eating 4 solid meals a day plus 6 bottles of milk. Each day he eats cereal, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and either beans or some meat. Typically it’s prepared baby food, but I’m trying to get him used to fresh foods too. Tonight his Tío Armando, Tía Anna, y Primo Antonio, watched Jacob eat his dinner via video chat from Mexico. Jacob started with his barley biscuit, and then he moved onto: home-made refried beans, fresh avocado, and jarred sweet potato & chicken. He had a few sips of water then it was time for his bath, and then it was his final final meal of breast milk. Since he eats a lot, he also poops a lot, and the smell is getting stronger! You can smell a stinky diaper from a few feet away before even taking off his clothes!