8 months

How is my baby already 8 months?  I have to say, this month was by far the most difficult taking her monthly pictures.  Dan was helping me and we had to do everything we could to get her to not roll over or jump out of the chair.  We didn't even worry too much about catching a smile because we were so busy just trying to get Claire to look at the camera!  This girl is a busy one, always moving and exploring.

This past month has been a fun one.  Claire is so cute and interactive!  She has learned so much this past month.  Here are her 8 month facts:

• Claire can now wave, and it is adorable!  Dan and I are always waving to her just so we can see her cute little wave.  
• Her first bottom tooth poked through this past month.  Her 2nd tooth is close behind.  
• She can say "mama" and "dada" but doesn't really associate those words with us.  
• When I walk over to her, she now lifts her arms for me to pick her up.  Even when I'm not planning on picking her up, she lifts her arms whenever I get close.  
• She plays peek a boo with her burp cloth, towel, bib, blanket, etc.  She thinks it is so funny and always gets a huge smile when she does it.  
• Claire can now sit in the shopping cart and in high chairs at restaurants.  It is so nice!
• We got her a new convertible carseat so she can sit more upright.  She still fit her infant seat but was always trying to sit up in it!
• She loves Gerber Puffs!  She would eat the whole bottle if we let her.  She is really good at grabbing them and feeding herself.  They have been a really great way to keep her happy at dinner or quiet in church.  
• She shakes her head no and it's so cute!
• Claire will roll a ball back and forth with us.  
• She is trying to crawl!  She gets on all 4s and rocks back and forth.  We're sure it'll happen any day now.  Then we will really need to baby proof!
• She loves splashing around in the bath.  
• She likes standing up on the couch (with some assistance).
• Claire can drink out of a straw and really loves when I give her apple juice (which isn't very often).  I wasn't sure if she would know what to do with a straw, but she figured it out pretty quick!

Claire has the cutest smile and is usually pretty happy (except when super tired or teething).  Our friends visited last week and she loved playing w/ their boys and they were amazed at how smiley she is all the time.  We love our smiley girl!