Eight Month Old Esther

• Again, no official weight from the doctor, but Wii Fit said Esther is about 16 1/2 pounds.
• Esther is now what I would call an independent sitter.  Sure, she topples from time to time, but it is generally safe to leave her for a minute or two...if Austin is not around.
• Being an independent sitter has also made Esther an independent player.  Give her a pile of toys and she's good to go for awhile.
• Esther still loves to chew on things but she also likes to wave her toys around and bang them against each other.
• Esther likes to play with Austin's toys.  I am starting to be very aware of just how many little pieces they have.
• Esther rolls over more often than she has for the last few months, but if she's not in the mood she just lays on her tummy and cries til you pick her up.
• Esther loves to stand.  I am predicting that she will be like Austin: a late crawler who walks soon after learning to crawl.
• Esther likes the Exersaucer quite a bit these days.  I love to watch her lean over and talk to herself in the little mirror.
• Esther has been waking up at night a lot this month.  Most nights she goes back to sleep quickly if I just hold her for a few minutes.  Teething is a possibility...but when is teething not a possibility?
• On a good day, Esther's second of two or three naps lines up with Austin's nap and lasts an hour and a half.  On an average day, Esther's three or four forty minute naps completely miss Austin's nap.
• In addition to puff cereal, I gave Esther some little peach chunks the other day and she did really well with them.  Mostly she eats purees, though.
• Esther smiles when she sees people she knows and loves.  She is pretty wary of strangers, though--when people try to smile and talk to her she cries if I am not directly in her line of sight.
• If Esther wants attention (for example, from Daddy who might be working across the room) she looks over and makes little coughing sounds and coos until she gets what she wants.
• Esther gets frustrated if I read to Austin with her in my lap.  She clearly thinks the book would be put to better use in her mouth.
• Esther does not like drinking juice or water from a sippy cup.  I think she could benefit from some extra liquids but I have to give them through a medicine syringe.
• Maybe it's the sitting up or the sounds she makes, but Esther seems much more grown up this month.  A bittersweet realization.