Eight months

By the time we were back in Seattle from SF, Macadam was eight months old. He's full of fun antics these days.

Probably the biggest change is that he's getting cause and effect down. In addition to waving, Macadam likes to raise his arms above his head because he's learned he gets tickled. It seems he can't get enough. He does it when you're changing him, feeding him or driving in the car. His giggles are infectious and are simple to ignite. Never thought opening a produce bag at the grocery store was hilarious? Guess again - the kid laughed for five minutes over me trying to get one open.

His mobility is progressing more and more. In order to get himself around, he rolls with ease and is scooting on his stomach. He loves to sit at the window and play with his toys and watch the world outside, in particular the birds, squirrels, and cars. He also is trying to influence situations by showing his discontent when you don't let him play with something or don't feed him solid foods fast enough. After exercising some patient strategies, those little outbursts are fewer and farther in between but I think it's just a taste of what's to come as he becomes his own person and tries to communicate.

It's his curiosity about everything that is really fun to watch right now. He peers a lot - around corners, the top of his car seat or sides of the stroller, over the edge of the bed, around your shoulder. He'll do anything to see what's going on or who's around. The downside of the curiosity is that if he gets what he seeks, it goes in his mouth, be it a napkin, grass, dirt, your face or hair...yeah that's right, yum. Speaking of food, I believe he and Buster have formed an alliance. Macadam's recent discovery that dropping food leads to the dog running into the kitchen and eating it, well, it makes meals interesting. Combine that with his desire to drink out of a cup and you have quite a lovely mess. Luckily, our dog isn't too picky.

As for teeth, he has two nice strong chompers on the bottom with the top two on their way in as well. One day they'll be right next to the skin, ready to break through and the next they've receded a little. Thankfully, these two don't seem to be bothering him as much as the first. In addition to teeth, his hair is also coming in more than ever but since it's mostly blond, he looks bald with the exception of some brown fringe on the nape.