Eight Months Old!

I know I always start out these monthly updates with how dumbfounded I am that we have reached this month's milestone, but honestly, I sit here every time and marvel that we've already arrived at this stage in Aiden's life. I mean, come on--he's been outside in the real world nearly as long as he was in my womb! That's NUTS to me! I also use these moments to reflect and count myself extremely lucky to have such a little blessing--one who is happy and healthy and ready to take on the world!
A few of Aiden's 8-month details:
--I sat him on the scale the other afternoon (now that he can hold his own in a sitting position, guesstimates on weight aren't so far off), and it seems the little guy is between 17 and 18 lbs. Still on the small side, but tell that to my aching shoulders when I go to bed in the evenings!!!
--He's got his sleep schedule down; on weekdays, he goes to bed between 8 and 8:30, and is ususally up between 6:30 and 7; on weekends, he still goes to bed between 8 & 8:30, but bless his heart for letting me & Mike "sleep in" until between 7:30 and 8!
--He's eating about 6 times a day; he gets fruit or veggies mixed with cereal twice daily, then a stand-alone jar of fruit or veggies in the evening, and then bottles mixed in between those meals.
--Aiden doesn't know this yet, but we're going to start trying sippy cups, as Mommy is tired of getting squirted with formula when he decides to slap (read: SLAP!) the bottle out of his mouth. :)
--We haven't exactly seen him crawl yet, but we know he's warming up to the idea since sometimes we'll find him rocking back and forth on his knees. For now, he's WAY content to just roll anywhere he needs to go. It's a riot!
--He still has the uncanny ability to smile either before or after Mommy takes a picture--*SIGH.* He really does have a great--and frequent!--grin! :)
That's about all for this month's update--next month should be a good one, considering the holiday season! I'll have to decide whether to pose him in his Santa or Reindeer outfit...