8-Months Old - 25ths!

Jack has become more independent, more vocal, more entertaining, and more demanding. In fact, I think it's now safe to say that he rules this household with a chubby fist.

One of the things I remember most looking forward to was the moment I could sit Jack down on the rug with a few toys and know that he could occupy himself (and hold himself upright). We've finally reached this stage and it's so much better than having to lie him down on his back, hoping he might hold onto a toy instead of dropping it beside him (and assuming it was gone forever). He can now follow things he drops - and he can screech at the tops of his lungs for us to pick it up.

Jack is also becoming more mobile. He's rolling like a pro, becoming quite good at rolling from his back to his stomach. And though he can roll from his belly to his back, he tends to whine a bit at first to see if mum or dad will help him. He's also learned how to scoot on his butt, though it's so subtle that we don't realize it's happening until he's halfway across the room.

And he's started sprouting his first two teeth! According to the "people in the know", he's getting them in the correct order so far. Firstly, they get the center bottom two, then the center top two, the molars and incisors until all 20 are in. And from the moment the tooth breaks through the gum, it can take months for it to grow all of the way. Unsurprisingly, his affinity for teething has multiplied and everything he puts his hands on goes into his mouth first, regardless of appropriateness. Even without being able to crawl, he needs almost constant supervision. God help us when he can crawl!