8 MONTHS!

My Darling Eleanor, YOU ARE 8 MONTHS OLD!!!!!!!! GOODNESS GRACIOUS! 

I can't believe it. 

At this point you're a confident crawler and have started to pull yourself up on anything you can.  You know how to open drawers and cupboards and you know when to bolt in the "not allowed area" whenever we're not looking.  Computer cords, the iPad, my mobile, the tv.....these are all things you gravitate to, despite having a plethora of amazing toys around the house.  We joke that we're going to bring all of these electrical devices with us to the finish line of the "crawl competition" taking place at the autumn fair.  Surely, that should secure a first place position!

You're a busy girl.  ALWAYS MOVING.  If you're not crawling, you're wiggling your way out of our arms or bouncing like a wild thing in your much-loved jumperoo.  You should see how crazy you get in that thing.  Nanny Kumari yells out "SCH-WAY-A, SCH-WAY-A" (meaning "slowly, slowly") because she's scared you're going to break your neck.  Sometimes you scare me too!  Changing you has also become quite the challenge given your energy.  The minute I lay you down to be changed, you flip over and try to stand up.  This, obviously, creates a big challenge and I haven't yet perfected the quickness required to get the job done solo.  Tonight I yelled for your Daddy to come help and most of the time you giggle back at me - knowing FULL WELL what trouble you're up to ;)

You have tried many new foods this month, with pureed pumpkin being a regular staple (your mama is on a big pumpkin kick!).  Just like you are with your bottle, you are an extremely distracted eater.  If there is anyone around, any movement in the room whatsoever, you're very unlikely to eat.  In fact, even if something colourful catches your eye - like your hanging quilt or a toy - that's it.  We stop the eating process and resume play/whatever because you refuse to avoid what's interesting and focus on the task at hand - EATING!  Oh well.  The doctor says you're growing perfectly and we need to relax.  So we try to.  And we know you always eat when you get hungry.  Unless you're tired....in which case you always like to sleep first, eat later.  You keep life interesting ;)

You're doing lots of talking these days.  You have been saying the "da" sound for a while and have recently introduced the "ba" sound into your repertoire.  You've also become a fan of a lip-smacking noise (like someone would make after eating something really tasty!) and the characteristic HAPPY NORY SCREAM has held strong.  You were quite the entertainment at last week's volleyball game, where you had both U14 girls team giggling over a silent gym and an echoing baby.  Add to the fact that you thought you were riding a horse - bouncing non-stop and flailing your arms.  It was a funny site, but we survived the embarrassing experience ;)

The kids at school have come to love you.  You are all over Instagram from your Treasure Hunt Club appearance and every volleyball team on campus has had you cheer them on from the stands.  You've also attended basketball practice, during which time you appeared to have more stamina than the team and Daddy started to yell at them REALLY LOUD - saying that there's no way he's going to let his daughter move faster than them!  Haha.

Getting home from work has become one of the best feelings in the world.  The minute we walk through the door, you crawl over to us as fast as possible and want to be held (momentarily, of course).  I have the instinct to run to you, but you're just too determined to move all by yourself and so I resist the urge and look forward to the moment you get to me.  You're the best.

We love you so much, sweet Nory Girl.  October is sure to be an exciting month and Christmas is JUST AROUND THE CORNER.  You wait - it'll be AMAZING ;)

XOXO