Sam is 8 months old today! We are having so much fun with him these days. Other than some crankiness due to a recent summer cold, Sam is a happy, easy-going guy.
* Weight: about 21 lbs. We don’t go back in for a check-up until next week but I weighed Sam while we were in California and he came in at 21 pounds. Can’t wait to see what his official measurements are next month. We just moved him into the Britax car seat because he outgrew his Graco Snug Ride.
* Sam can now roll over both ways! He has been able to roll over from his front to his back since he was 4 months old but hasn’t really shown any interest in rolling onto his tummy until recently. And apparently Sam likes to keep this new little trick a secret from us. Ben set Sam down on his back and went into the other room. When he came back a minute later, Sam was on his tummy. Then when we were in California, he apparently showed off his trick several times for his grandparents who were babysitting while Ben and I were out at a wedding.
* Babbling is Sam’s new favorite noise (much preferable to screaming). At first he just babbled while he had food in his mouth but has since learned to babble all of the time. His noises are generally baba, gaga, dada, jaja, or some combination. I’m still waiting for him to say “mama!” Of course the only time he comes close is when he is crying!

* Although he can’t pull himself up, he does love to stand. He has recently learned how to hold himself up on furniture (or us) and has even surprised himself by letting go and not immediately falling over. I love seeing the proud, and simultaneously tentative, look on his face when he is standing.

* I started teaching Sam sign language this week. He definitely isn’t signing back yet but he does seem to get a kick out of me signing to him. His favorites are nap and bye-bye. Whenever I sign milk he is usually crying and I think he is wondering why I am signing and not just giving him the bottle!
* Sam is really able to show us what he likes and doesn’t like these days. If he is happy he shows us with big smiles and laughter. But if you are doing something he doesn’t want you to do, watch out! He can turn on the waterworks at the drop of a hat! But he is pretty easy to placate–usually just standing him up does the trick.

* He loves to play with all of his toys, and many things that are not his toys. Favorites include Ben’s blackberry, the remote control and car keys. Right now he is playing guitar with Daddy!

* Sam is my little snuggle bug. Lately he rests his head on my shoulder when he is feeling tired or shy and I absolutely love it. He also likes to lean in when we kiss him.
* We have a good sleeper! He is sleeping from about 8 pm to 7:30 or 8 in the morning. He naps from 10 to 11:30 and 2:30 to 4:30. He falls asleep really quickly and with no fuss. He always sleeps in his sleep sack and at night we turn on a fan and pull down the black out shades to ensure he sleeps in as long as possible! He might be a morning person, but his parents definitely are not!