8 Months

Amalia,
Welcome to being eight months old!  So far, you are digging it.

You've always had quite the personality, but lately, it has really been shining.  Most of the time you are the easiest-going baby around, happily playing wherever you are with whatever person is closest to you, but there are times (and those times are increasing) that what I want you to do and what you want to do are two completely different things.  At these times, you complain, loudly.  Not cry.  Not fuss.  You yell.  Screech.  Usually, if we copy your screech or yell, we can illicit a smile and a screech conversation.  You aren't necessarily patient, though, and if there is something you want, you won't be distracted.

You started to wave this month, and even say "Hiiiii..." while waving at us.  Melt my little heart right there.  It is precious.  You also say Mama and Papa.  You give kisses.  You clap.  You are working so hard at crawling, but haven't quite figured it out yet.   You can scoot around, though, and even if it takes you some time, you can get to whatever dangerous object Mommy has tried to move out of reach.

You don't have any teeth yet, but I swear, they are coming.  I've been expecting teeth any minute now since Christmas, though, so I really don't know.  They seem to be bothering you, though, and you often have your tongue rubbing on your bottom front gums.

You are a snuggler.  While we kicked your sister out of our bed at 5 months old because she was just so kicky that nobody got any sleep, you, on the other hand, are the opposite.  You snuggle.  You like to fall asleep and keep asleep with someone's face or hand or body right next to your face, and you snuggle in and hug back.  It is impossible to not give in and enjoy the snuggles.  You still wake up a lot at night to nurse, but since we are so close, I normally don't even wake up.  Sometimes, I'll have you in your crib next to our bed, and wake up with you next to me with no memory of moving you there.  I try to encourage you to fall asleep on your own a bit and learn to soothe yourself, but I'm not trying too hard.

You love to laugh and play and make silly faces and be entertained.  You are loved so much, and love so much in return.  Happy eight months, precious.  Sleep well tonight, okay?

Loveyoualwaysandforever,
Mama

Quick! The burp rag!

My daughter likes to play in her spit-up.

No picture this time.  I figure the mental image should be enough.

Big Decisions

Not too long ago we made a big decision.  We're in total transition mode, and it scares the daylights out of me.  At the same time, I'm really excited for the first step, if completely nervous and overwhelmed with planning.

We are going to Venezuela for the last half of this year.

We plan to leave the middle of June and to come back the beginning of January 2013, when I will start my semester student teaching.  We're going to live in Mérida, the beautiful city where we met, staying with Julio's sister.  I'm so excited for all the fun things we are going to get to do, the people we get to spend quality time with, and that the girls (and me, too!) will get full Spanish immersion.  If there is a good time to do this, it is now.

It is scary, however.  Especially since we don't know what is happening come January.  I'm going to try not to focus too much on that fear, however.  I won't worry about tomorrow, today has enough worries of its own.  I have lots to plan and figure out for this six-month stay.

When we told Sofia, she burst into tears, saying she didn't want to start kindergarten in a Spanish place.  Then, we talked about her birthday, and she got so excited that she would get to have her birthday there, and that she was going to tell Abuelita that she wants a butterfly princess strawberry cake.  Good luck with that, Abuela.  She seems excited now, and can't wait to go, though this is the child who gets homesick when we go to Appleton for the day.  I know she is going to have hard days.  I know I am, too.  I hope I am able to let go of my own hard days long enough to help her through hers.  This will be good for us.  Sofia and Amalia need to know their other half.