Baby Jake is 8 months old!

Oh. My. Word. I'll barely be able to call Jake a baby anymore! Time is just going by too fast. I can't believe my sweet little newborn has already went straight past the half year mark and is inching away from babyhood. I just can't handle it.
Oh, my sweet baby boy. Mama just loves you. Since turning 8 months a few days ago, you've started showing very strong inclinations toward crawling and pulling up. It happens so fast! You're starting to rock those hips, get on the knees a little and even plant your feet. Big things are coming!!! But let's talk about what you did up to the 8 month mark:

• saying "mama". You don't say it every time you see me yet, but you definitely associate the word with me. One day I opened the pantry to get you a snack and you said "ma-ma-ma!" Then I closed the door so you could see me again and you stopped. So sweet. "ba-ba" has been heard on occasion as well
• You can still be quiet, but when you get talking, boy do you want to be heard! You can talk in a normal voice but also a high pitched and yelling one. I knew you'd fit in :)
• You've started self feeding and particularly like these Baby Mum Mum rice rusks....boy do they make a mess, but it's the cutest mess ever. You're also drinking a little from the sippy cup.
• scooting backwards both on your belly and your bottom- you really want to move! You pull your knees under sometimes
• clapping your hands- oh, those sweet, chubby little baby hands make the cutest clapping sounds!
• you love "so big!" and the applause afterward...you usually join in on the clapping
• you still grab those little feet (and everything else) at every opportunity!
• I love your little laugh- Will can get you going and it's so precious
• You're moving up to 6-9 months clothes for the most part. There are still several 3-6 month outfits that fit very well, but onesies are too short now! Still in size 2 diapers

I love being around you, Jake; you are so sweet and lovey but I don't get the feeling you'll be a pushover. You let your siblings know when you don't like something. We've been fortunate with you and your siblings in that you're very good at entertaining yourselves. There's times when daddy or I walk by and you get upset that we don't pick you up, but for the most part, we can sit you down with anything (safe) to play with and you're happy for the longest time! You also like to be included...when there's company or a lot going on, you want to stay awake and join in...just like your siblings did. :) I love you so much my baby boy!!!