Zadie is eight months old!

Where to start? So much is going on in Zadie's little world! She is kind of crawling around these days. The poor thing, though, practices all day and when she wakes up in the morning, it's like she's forgotten how to do it so she starts all over. And by the end of the day, she's kind of motoring around. And then it's nighttime and it all begins again...One good thing she has mastered is pushing herself into a sitting position from any other - a relief to us all. She also is quite skilled at pulling herself to standing - on us, on a bookshelf, on the mattress (though that brings her to half-standing as it's on the floor.) We are smack in the middle of the "separation anxiety" stage and when I leave the room, her little face crumples and she beings to cry. Aw, how sweet, you say. A testimony to her love for me, you say. Yes. And. It can make for an emotional day sometimes because you know what? Now and again, I need to leave the room. (But, it's true, if I scoop her up and bring her with me, all is well. And seriously, you should see my left bicep!)

Games that involve anticipation are the best. Give her a raspberry on her neck and she giggles. Lean in to do it again, she is already giggling and bringing her head to her shoulder to protect that ticklish spot. Repeat as many times as you want to hear that laugh and see that big smile which activates both dimples. Zadie loves hearing Dadsie sing the "She Had To Be Nude" song - especially while she's on the changing table (and, yes, that's to the tune of "It Had To Be You.") Loves. It. Even Nolan requests it now and then (it *is* a catchy tune.)

She's a helper when it's time to get dressed. She knows when that onesie/shirt comes over her head, she needs to push one arm through a hole, then the other. This is remarkably helpful unless I haven't gotten the sleeve all lined up and she pushes against the material in the front or her arm shoots out then neck and we have to start over. She makes no bones about voicing her displeasure. Who can blame her? There's a lot to play with out there in the world and who wants to waste time getting dressed?

Now that she's mobile, we face the clash of who's playing with what, when. It's amazing to me that in the disarray that is Nolan's floor of toys, when Zadie picks one up, mouths it, then drops it in favor of something else, that upon entering the room he can remember exactly where he left his train/stuffie/car and know it has been moved. I know he has a good memory, but it's astonishing. Sometimes I am a mother, sometimes a referee. Maybe I need a whistle?

She really plays in the tubby now. I still put her in an inflatable one inside the bathtub, but the other night after a messy diaper change (say no more!) I popped her in the big tub with Nolan. It was a little overwhelming at first, but I think they both liked it. Ever the helper, Nolan really wanted to help wash out the soap, but you and I both know that's just a job for a grownup...

At the playground, she swings or sits in the sand and the grass, using those curious fingers to feel the texture of both. So far, she hasn't eaten any sand, but that may be because she hasn't eaten anything! Bananas? Ick. Avocado? Not so much. Sweet potato? As if. No biggie...she'll eat when she's ready. She's clearly thriving (see: chubby cheeks.)

Zadie doesn't really "sit still" for pictures so I've included a few "outtakes" from the photo shoot last weekend. (And, no, she doesn't appreciate the concept of gravity; and, yes, I put the camera down and caught her before she crawled right off the chair!) And while I'm at it, here's one of her and big brother splashing away in the tub!