happy eight months old little dude!

Yes it's true, Jake is eight months old.  He is growing by leaps and bounds, and already weighs 20 lbs (and 1 ounce) and is 29 inches long.  How can it be?  Well one might guess that the endless amounts of food that he eats might be a big factor.  And since Jake has not yet started to crawl, he isn't working off those extra calories.  But soon enough.  We are in no big hurry for Jake to start crawling (or walking) since it means that there might not be anymore peaceful sitting and reading or knitting episodes while Jake plays happily nearby.  Once they start moving, they are off and running.  So no big hurry for that Little Dude.  Jake is able to get around with his series of rolling over and spinning manoeuvres, so he is happy with his access to toys.

One element that is noticeable in this past month, is Jake's ability now to sit by himself for extended periods (say 15 minutes) and maintain his balance, and interest in playing.  He can bend forward when sitting and pick up toys.  He seems to enjoy his independence in that regard.

Actually, another notable development is his ability to stand by himself steadying himself with something, like the couch or the window.  He can only do it for a few seconds, but it shows that he is getting stronger and stronger, has a good sense of balance, and that being on the move might just be around the corner.  Yikes!

Jake is still a very good natured, calm, friendly and happy baby.  At baby groups, he tends to sit attentively, soaking in all of the songs, stories, and other people.  He seems to recognize his friends, and is always happy to seem them.  He offers people a ready smile, and easily laughs along with people.  He loves songs, and claps his hands in happiness.  He likes to be bounced and cuddled.

So for some milestones:

• sits alone for 10-15 minutes
  
• leans forward to pick up toys
  
• stretches out to grab things
  
• vision attentive, very attentive
  
• great pincer grasp
  
• looks in the correct direction for failing toys
  
• shouts, babbles, vocalizes
  
• distinguishes strangers from familiars
  
• imitates
  
• claps hands and blocks together
  

boys' day

For a couple of months or so now, Dad and Jake have headed out each Saturday morning without Mom to have an adventure at the nearby farms.  They buy the latest harvest, such as zucchini, onions or carrots, and visit the petting zoo.  On the way home there is a stop at the local bakery and the butcher shop.

Shady Mile Farm has a petting zoo.  It was Jake's first chance to meet animals up close.  There are bunnies, chickens and goats just to name a few.  A favorite weekend included the return of Dad and Jake, with Jake sucking on a fresh from the farm carrot, some smudge marks on his face and a goat print on his sweater where he got stepped on.  And of course a big giant grin on his face since it all added up to an excellent adventure.  Dad knows just what Jake likes.

storytime

Fall is just around the corner, and we have started up with a couple of baby groups again.  We have joined Mother Goose song group with Ethan and Ainsley.  We enjoyed learning and singing songs in the spring, so it seemed like a great idea to go again.  New this fall is storytime at the library.  Jake had his first session, and was mesmerized by the librarian's stories, rhymes and songs.  Lucas, Thomas and Ethan were also there.  Of course Jake wore his "What happens in storytime stays in storytime" shirt, so there will not be any embarrassing postings.   Jake is already borrowing books from the library, hopefully starting a lifelong tradition.

We read lots of books to Jake, especially just before bedtime.  

A current favorite is Each, Peach, Pear, Plum:

Each, peach, pear, plum

I spy Tom Thumb

Tom Thumb in the cupboard

I spy Mother Hubbard

Mother Hubbard down the cellar

I spy Cinderella

Cinderella on the stairs

I spy the Three Bears

Three Bears out hunting

I spy Baby Bunting

Baby Bunting fast asleep

I spy Bo Peep

Bo Peep up the hill

I spy Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill in the ditch

I spy the Wicked Witch

Wicked Witch over the wood

I spy Robin Hood

Robin Hood in his den

I spy the Bears again

Three Bears still hunting

THEY spy Baby Bunting

Baby Bunting safe and dry

I spy Plum Pie

Plum Pie in the sun

I spy.........everyone!

happy birthday griffin

Today Griffin turned one!  We all headed to his house to meet up with his friends and family to give him best wishes and share some delicious cake.  There were many babies there to play with, and Karin had set up the cabana outside so that they could enjoy the fresh air.  Griffin now walks with some help, so he didn't hang around for very long and was off around the yard.  Jake got to meet Griffin's Grand Dad, Jack, who took Jake all around the house showing him various items of interest and played with him outside.  Jake also go to meet Janet, Cleo and Darryn.  it was nice to catch up on their year with Cleo. 

There was some fantastic foods to eat, salads, quiches, lasagna, homemade buns.  And of course great chocolate teddy bear cake.  Jake had a great time meeting everyone, as the nap in the car ride and the extra long nighttime sleep can attest to.  Jake gave Griffin a big rubber ball for a pressie.  But Jake came away with an awesome Happy Birthday cup that he got to chew on in the car, which actually he chewed for a couple of days.  Fun for everyone!

Happy Birthday Griffin, and congratulations Karin and Ken.  You made it!

things to suck (and not to suck)

Jake is still exploring the world with his mouth.  Everything he touches, must also be touched from the inside of his mouth.  And he is also a big fan of food so we give a few items that are largish to the sucking is good, but still large enough that its not likely he will get bits of food stuck in his throat.  So far the good ones are carrot (this one can last for a whole hour of good sucking exploration, meaning its a nice time filler), 

green beans (yummy succulent beans with good beanie juice) 

pickles

and of course corn on the cob 

(hey, don't freak out, we actually don't give him corn on the cob to suck on; this one is a plastic toy).  Jake is such a clever baby, he knows which items not to suck on.  Spiky, rough pineapple from our pineapple plant?  Not a good idea.  Way to go Jake, you're so smart.