Dear Lily,

You turned 8 months old a week ago.

• Life is getting so busy with you being more mobile. 
• You have sloowwwllly started to crawl within the last 2-3 weeks. Mostly in your crib or on mommy and daddy's bed. We don't have any carpet in the house so you're skeptical about crawling anywhere but those two spots. 
• You love your new walker that I got for you last month. You are getting so much strength in your legs! You just motor around, trying to find things to get into...which ends up to be mommy's work papers and books.
• You pull yourself up in your crib, almost to a standing position, but not quite. You mostly end up on your knees or, eventually, on your butt. It's time that daddy takes the crib down a notch!
• You are THE most independent baby. You do not like to snuggle unless you are tired enough that you can't support your head anymore :) You're way too busy exploring to cuddle with us right now. I really, really, really hope this changes. Mommy needs the ego stroke :)
• You are still so interested in technology and couldn't be bothered with infant toys. Pfffftttttt, those are for amateur babies. 
• You are sleeping 10-11 hours a night almost consistently now. I don't want to jinx it though because you're funny about your sleep. You do like to go to bed early, unlike your parents! 6pm, you're pretty much done for the night. You also take a cat nap in the morning and maybe a couple throughout the day. 
• You're eating about 3-4 jars of food a day and 4 bottles. You seem like a picky eater and DEFINITELY not into adult food at all. We've tried things like mashed potatoes, little slivers of chicken, avocado....nope. You just let it sit in your mouth. We'll keep trying :)
• You are not socially shy at all. You LOVE to be out and about, which is pretty much how it has been since you were 3 days old. You really aren't afraid of anyone or anything yet....well, maybe balloons freak you out a little but still, no crying. I'm hoping this sticks around as you get older!

You are just so much fun. You have brightened up so many of our lives and made us so happy. I really didn't realize how much joy a little being could bring. Your smile is infectious and your laugh is soothing. To watch you discover your world is just an amazing thing, there is nothing like it.

I can't believe that you will be growing into a toddler over these next 4 months. I cannot help but want to completely stop time so I can take this all in. It seems so unfair that time just goes so fast. I hope these letters aren't getting old to you yet, but just know that mommy just wants to remember these times. Hopefully, in about 25 years, you'll come to me and ask what you were like at 8 months old because you have a baby of your own. I'll be able to tell and show you exactly what you were like. You are more than amazing.