Clothing size: 6-9 months for almost everything. Her smallest cloth diapers are starting to get a little snug around all those tummy rolls!
Eye color: The brightest blue.
Hair: Looking back at pictures from a few months ago, I’m really missing the voluminous mohawk she used to have! It’s thinned out and lightened up so much! She’s our little blondie.
Teeth: We have two right down in front! Her right front popped through first, and in the last few days, I’ve been able to feel the ridges of her left front tooth as well, it just isn’t very visible yet.

Nursing: Pretty much every three hours during the day. Still no solids (besides peanut butter) because I’m not in any hurry for her to wean… and have you seen those cheeks? She’s definitely getting enough with just breastmilk (which I’m so thankful for)! She sure does love to sit up in the high chair though and just watch everyone.

Sleep: She was waking up once at night to eat when her first tooth was trying to break through, but after it came in, she’s back to sleeping from about 8 pm until 6 am (when I wake her up to eat). She’ll nurse and then usually stay awake for a little while, but she eventually falls back asleep until around 8 am. She naps for about 3 hours in the afternoon (although sometimes it’s hard trying to stay awake until the older girls are ready to go down for a nap).

Her transition to the crib has been seamless. Now that she has the room, she rolls between sleeping on her back, side, and stomach. She sucks her thumb most of the time she’s sleeping, too.

Favorite things: Her sisters, of course!She also loves stuffed animals now, and she still enjoys her baths. She kicks her legs in the water constantly and doesn’t mind getting all rinsed off. Most of her baths seem to happen due to her having a blowout diaper, though! She loves being tickled and when I kiss her irresistible little feet.

Dislikes: I can’t really think of anything. Sometimes she makes a pouty face like she’s going to cry, but then she usually doesn’t.

Nicknames: Nellbells, Baby Sunshine, Nella Sunshine, Nell, Nell-Nell, Nels, Angel, Cheeks, Newwie (by Kaelyn), and “Baby Nella Sunshine Sprinkle Pop” and “Pushy Cheeks” (by Kaya).

Milestones, etc.: -She gave Daddy a big, slobbery kiss a few days ago! I’m still waiting for mine!

-She’s rolling all over the place, but we are nowhere near crawling or pulling up. She isn’t even interested in standing/putting weight on her legs, despite my efforts to help her when I’m holding her and all the time I make her “work out” in the exersaucer. Hopefully soon!

-She loooves to pull hair and hold on to it. She especially does this with Grandma Gina when they’re snuggling and she’s about to fall asleep.

-She wraps her little arm around my shoulder and holds on when I’m carrying her on my hip. It’s the best!

-She doesn’t babble much, but her “talking” consists mostly of the “ahhhhh!” sound.

-She hardly ever cries (and takes us all by surprise if she actually does), and it’s so easy to get her to laugh. She’s still our happy sunshine baby.

-She sticks out her tongue when she’s super happy and excited about something!-She loves it when I dance around like crazy and then walk over to give her a kiss or hug. She really seems to like music, too.

Dear Nella,

Sweet baby girl… how are you 8 months old already? The time is flying by. I’m not ready for you to grow so fast, and yet, I’m so excited to see you meeting your milestones and enjoying the world around you.

I often catch you staring at me from across the room, with a big smile on your face all the while. It’s really flattering that you just sit there and beam at me, even when I’m completely wrapped up in something else and not directly interacting with you. You really love your sisters and your Daddy, but I think you’re truly a mama’s girl at this point. No one can calm you as quickly as I can.

I always take you to Young Women’s with me on Sundays, and many of the girls wait their turn just to hold you. Sometimes, you’ll fall asleep and nap on them. They sure do love you (even girls who say they don’t typically like babies).

You are my light, Nella. You brighten up any moment of any day. No matter how I’m feeling or what I’ve got on my mind, your quick-to-smile demeanor can turn it around and help me feel joy in an instant. I love you.

Love, Mommy