Isabelle's 8 month check in

I know I say this every time I update you on Isabelle, but the time has flown again, and I really cannot believe Miss Isabelle is now 8 months old! That just seems SO old - she's practically an old age pensioner! 

In the last two months she has continued to grow physically and developmentally, and is such a joy to spend my days with. People always tell me how content she is, and she always has a big smile for everyone - even when she is 'playing shy' when she first meets people! 

I've been absolutely thrilled with how well she has taken to baby led weaning in the last 2 months. After the traditional slow start to blw, she has moved forward in leaps and bounds in the last 2-3 weeks, and loves lunch time in particular. She works so well with her hands, and with a pre-loaded spoon, and is eating more and more every day. She is now the proud owner of one tooth (finally!) and is using it to full effect to chomp through her food.

 

Vital stats:
Weight: 18lbs 9oz
Length: 72cms

Likes:
* Meat
* Her maracas
* Lying on her back and shaking all her limbs like a wild thing
* Plums
* Swimming
* Looking out the window
* "if you're happy and you know it"
* Being nosey
* Being in her wrap/sling
* Watching bigger boys and girls
* Playing with her friends 
* Christmas baubles
* Spaghetti bolognese and chilli con carne
* Talking
* Standing up
* Spoons
* Smiling
* The watch from her treasure basket

Dislikes
* Broccoli

Day to day life
The biggest changes in Isabelle's life in the past few months have been her promotion to 'big cousin' to Isaac, and our shake up in routine. I posted about this a while ago, but we made some changes so that Isabelle was putting herself to sleep at night (previously I always fed her to sleep), and she has done a great job of adapting to such a big change. Someday she may even move to her own bedroom! We also get up earlier and she takes more structured naps, so our days are just generally a bit better organised. We have been as busy as ever going to our different groups and meeting up with friends, and are still waiting for the day we have some 'quiet time' at home together!

In November we made a trip to Norfolk to see Granny, Grandad, auntie and great-grandparents, and while I'd love to say we had a great time, this coincided with Isabelle being really unwell. She was pretty miserable, as were Simon and I, but still managed to charm everyone with her smiles. She travelled as well as ever despite her illness, enjoying her flights as always.

 

Now we're heading towards her first Christmas, and some quality time with all the family. Her skills are developing every day, and I'm sure the New Year will see her starting to scoot about and the headache that will no doubt bring! 

Next check in at 10 months - and I'm sure the time will fly in!