Week-8-In-Review: New Discoveries

Week 8: 10/07/12 - 10/13/12

Oh what a fun week we've had!

This week has been all about discovery.

You have really started to take notice in things besides the walls. You actually study people (besides just mom and dad), Samson and Sienna, toys, and your hands. And you totally understand the fact that if you smile at someone, they are going to get ridiculously excited, smile right back at you, and possibly get emotional (ahem, Daddy.)

The whole sleep thing? Eh. We take one step forward and two steps back. You actually had your longest night yet - 7 1/2 hours. And you're *sort of* getting a little more consistent in at least sleeping for 4-5 hours at a time. But then, we have a disaster night that leaves Mommy a total mess. I'm starting to just accept the fact that you are who you are. And I must be patient.

Because no matter what kind of night you have, you wake up giddy. You can't wait to start your day. And you continue to have this attitude all day long. Even when you protest naps.

Sooner or later, Chunkin.

For now, we're going to focus on how much fun we had this week.

You have become quite the chatterbox. I can't believe I just used that expression. Grams used to call me a chatterbox, and I remember not having a clue what a chatterbox was. Still don't. But that's what you are. You talk and talk. I mean, they are really just coos and "ahhhs". But it is your super cute way of expressing language. Mostly to Daddy and Me, your toys, and Samson. Talk about adorable. And I swear you're on the verge of a laugh any day now. Oh. And I'll just be sitting here waiting. Cannot WAIT.

Your hands are your new best friends. You discovered your hands within your first weeks of life by sucking on them. But now, you are just so intrigued by them. You love to hold them together, suck on them, and use them to reach out (and sometimes even grasp for a few seconds) different things. You especially like to reach out for Samson and hold onto your paci. You guard that thing with your life. Oh. And you've definitely discovered my hair. Ouch!

You love to just intently look at the world around you. It has been so fun to watch this skill develop. You just stare and study everything around you. And you're starting to put sounds with different objects. Like this little rattle we play with. Or your favorite little animal from Uncle Jeff in Russia. And now you really look at the pictures in the books we read to you. But my favorite is how your smiles have changed. You actually want to smile. Every morning when you wake up and I put you on your changing table, it takes you a second or two to find me, and when you do, your entire face lights up. And you smile over and over. And you smile some more. I tear up every time.

And you made Daddy a bundle of emotions last week too. He said it will be a moment engrained in his memory forever. It was just you and him hanging out on the couch. You looked up at him and really smiled. Over and over. And you would use your hands to cover your face like you were being shy and *gulp*...flirting. (Good job, Chunkin. You now and forever have your daddy wrapped around your finger).

Your favorite thing to do is hang out with people. You really love hanging out with Dad and I on the back patio. Of course you love hanging out with Samson. And you got to hang out with your boyfriend, Cal some too.

But this week was *super* special. Your Auntie Laur came for a visit all the way from Kampala, Uganda just to visit YOU. Her very first niece. She held you for hours, played with you, and of course sang you silly songs. Auntie Laur and Mommy have been best friends since kindergarten. I truly pray every day that you find a friend like her.

We started our very first fall tradition. We went to Walter's Pumpkin Patch. And I feel like this one deserves a post of its own. ;)

Another big week in the books, Lyla Beans. 

Lovin' every moment with you!