8 months

I (Brian) have been tasked with coming up with Ellie's 8-month Top 10 list.
In the past, this list has been somewhat difficult because Ellie was so little. But these days, it seems like it will be no time before we're adding "learning to drive" to this list. She's just growing up so fast.

So, without further ado, here is Eleanor Anne Wallheimer at 8 months:

• 1. Putting things in her mouth: This isn't new to the list, but Ellie's reach has gotten better, and she's probably just weeks from being quite mobile. What was once just putting toys in her mouth has turned into near misses with dog toys and sometimes the dogs themselves. (Muzzy doesn't mind so much. She just kisses back.)
• 2. Sleeping like a princess: Ellie has been heaven-sent in so many ways, but sleeping may be the one we're most thankful for sometimes. When Ellie starts rubbing her eyes at night, it's off to bath and a quick bottle and she's done for the day. We can lay her down, turn on some music and we usually don't hear a peep until morning. Jealous? Well, we know it may not last, and future children may not take after her. We'll take it while we can.
• 3. Clapping: A recent post mentioned how we got Ellie clapping. Whether it's blocks to make noise or her hands, Ellie has gotten the hang of clapping and loves to do it whenever she isn't preoccupied by something else.
• 4. Doing everything with table food but eating it: Earlier I said Ellie puts everything in her mouth, but one clear exception is food. She will play with Cheerios, pasta and slices of oranges for hours, but they'll never approach her mouth. Sometimes I wonder if my child wasn't mixed up at the hospital.
• 5. Jumping: Ellie may be an Olympic jumper. It wouldn't shock me. Not only does she jump in her Jump-A-Roo in the doorway, she does it in the MegaSaucer, when we're holding her up, and sometimes when she's laying down (this is more kicking, but it's the same leg motion).
• 6. Running: While mom or dad (mostly mom) has to do most of the hard work, Ellie is getting to enjoy a lot of this great weather we're having by getting out in the jogging stroller. Sometimes she naps, other times she kicks, and sometime she just watched the world pass by. What a life.
• 7. Rolling over: Yes, we started watching for this at four months. But Ellie has really gotten the hang of it finally. She's great at going from tummy to back, and watching her roll is quite fun. Slowly, slowly, she starts to lean while holding herself in a sort-of pushup position, and after a few seconds of what seems like she'll never go, she tips and rolls. What a big girl!
• 8. Being clingy: Yes, Ellie's going through a phase where she wants to be held a lot. She doesn't like to be left on the floor even if you're a few feet away in the next room. She's in a super-mommy phase, but she'll come around soon enough.
• 9. Mimicking: It might be more impressive if Ellie mimicked us, but she loves to make noises and listen to mom or dad make the noise back at her. She always acts surprised at the noise from us, and usually this pushed her to make louder noises or longer yells. This game might never end if we didn't stop.
• 10. And, saving the best for last Š Making fart noises: From birth, Ellie has been a gas machine. What baby isn't? But Ellie has learned recently to make farty noises with her mouth, blowing foamy bubbles and slobbering as she does them. Get her going and it's unlikely you'll get her to stop any time soon. This can be frustrating when she's eating, but it's too cute to let that bother us. If nothing else, Ellie will be the queen of fart jokes when she's older. She's got to be good at something!