Eight Months Today!

Al and Teo are 8 months today! Closer and closer to one, and walking and talking and running around!  It's going to get hectic around here, as if it isn't hectic enough already. 

Al is a huge sweetheart.  He is capable of spontaneously flashing the most mega-watt grin at anyone at a moment's notice (it's particularly amusing when he goes from flat out howling to uncontrollably giggling despite himself) and it's heart-melting.  He is the giggliest and coo-iest baby in that he really tries to charm anyone that approaches him.  I don't think he is particularly discerning (he will grin at anyone who looks at him) but that also makes him so sweet.  

However, Al is very quick to lose it.  I like to say that he smiles easily but riles easily.   Al has a lot of grunting and groaning in his repertoire - it sounds remarkably like complaining even though he isn't speaking words... He gets hungry very quickly and cannot wait at all - he loses his mind in his hangriness.  I have seen him start scratching at his face as he thrusts his head back and howls.  He is also the one who gets annoyed at being in his car seat (often also due to uncontrollable hunger).  Lest you think we're starving the poor guy... he eats. all. the. time.

Al loves food wholeheartedly.  He has a healthy appetite for milk, so far has tried and enjoyed every type of food we have given him, and will often go ahead and suck down the rest of Teo's milk.  In fact, Al even loves the preparation of food because he knows that it means there are good things in store!  His eyes light up and he drools and his mouth starts moving when he sees his cup, bowl or spoon.  Before the boys were pretty evenly matched in size, but between them now I think there is a more discernible weight difference.  Al's back is remarkably broad - I think he's the same width as Lola!  And his arms and thighs are just... chunky and thunderous and delicious.  He feels like a kettlebell when you pick him up.

Al loves books - while it often translates to loving the taste of books (something about that cardboard, mmmm), he does like being read to as well.  And he likes to flip through pages and look at pictures.  He enjoys drumming and stroking things with his hands (as well as putting things in his mouth - that is constant and steadfast)!  Al isn't as physically nimble as Teo, but he is a terrific sitter - he is solid and sits upright and very well. 

 

Al is pretty good at getting what he wants.  He doesn't like to expend energy unless it's absolutely mandatory - he is the one who prefers to lie back on his car float in the bath and let the water roll over him.  He has figured out that because he cannot crawl, the best way to get to something he wants is to - wait for it - roll toward it!  Least amount of effort for most amount of payoff.  Brilliant boy.

Teo is a pretty quiet and easygoing guy, but he is not out to please anyone.  When you get a smile from him, it feels extra special because you know it isn't given easily (unless you are in his select inner circle, in which case he has smiles and coos for you all the time).  Teo seems like the classic third baby even though he and Al are only two minutes apart.  You can bring him anywhere and he is usually pretty game to go anywhere and try anything.  Sometimes he is very excited and his little feet churn like he is running, and he flings his whole body and flails both of his arms forward like he wants to pitch himself out of his chair, but overall he maintains a pretty even keel.  I'm glad out of my three kids I've finally gotten a chance to see what laid back looks like!

Teo is very observant.  He likes looking up at the bright lights and especially at the suitcase above the closet in his room, directly over his crib.  He recognizes people and is slow to warm up to strangers.  In the car, he is always quiet because he is completely focused on the view outside the window.  His lower lip drops open a little bit, he puts his feet up against the cool leather car seat, and it couldn't be more clear that he is maxing and relaxing as he watches the world whiz by.

Teo "gets" things pretty quickly.  We got him a little Vtech driving toy with a steering wheel, blinker, and stickshift that has all kinds of lights, music and sounds. He immediately figured out how to press the buttons and click the blinker and press the buttons.  When he can't reach a toy or book but I give him a boost by putting my hands against his feet, he knows to push against my hands and propel himself forward by sticking his butt up in the air like a little worm or caterpillar.  He will hold the basketball and understands to dunk it into the hoop when we lift him up toward it.  He is very smart.

Teo is a sensitive soul.  You get the sense he understands what's happening.  He got sick two weeks ago, probably as a result of overeating (oatmeal, egg yolk, water plus milk) and threw up a couple of times.  (Al got sick also).  That night, while Al snored sleepily through the night, Teo would not sleep well and kept sobbing in his sleep as he had nightmares.  It was like he was traumatized from throwing up and kept reliving it!

Finally, you can tell that Teo loves his sister Lola so much.  He somehow senses that she is different from the adults in the room, and tracks her every movement and speech.  He tries to touch her hair and likes to play with her.  You can just see his fascination with her.  A couple of months ago, Lola had her hair done beautifully with bows and flowers and Teo, upon catching sight of it, went into raptures cooing and kicking excitedly.  It was very clear that he had noticed her hair and liked it! 

We are so lucky to have such healthy, happy boys.  We love you Teo and Al!