Alexa is 8 MONTHS!

OK, so we are more than a week late. But Alexa's 8-month birthday was a busy day! It was Mother's Day and we were up in New Jersey. Here is her 8-Month photo, taken when we got home from NJ. Look how cute she is! Love the hair bow from Aunt Chimmy!

And, here are some fun facts about Alexa at 8 months!

• She can CRAWL! Not just commando crawl, but REALLY crawl. On her KNEES!
• Continues to pull up -- on everything!
• Wears shoes to daycare every day, but when I put them on her feet, she'd rather put them in her mouth!
• Given the nickname "Smiley Girl" at daycare because she smiles all the time!
• Lights up with the biggest smile in the world when we pick her up at daycare or get home from work!
• Says "dada" and "mom" and "hi" ... and we suspect that she knows what they mean!
• Gives big sloppy open-mouthed kisses to mommy, daddy, grandma -- and even herself in the mirror!
• Is able to copy me when I do things like slap my hand on the floor or blow on her face!
• Can give us FIVE if we hold out our hand! (She's been doing this for a couple months...)
• Kicks her feet together and smiles when she's in a swing!
• Enjoys her weekly swim class!
• Loves to watch other kids or babies
• Reaches her arms toward us to be picked up. Awwww!
• Wears a size 2-3 in Pampers diapers and 6-9 months in clothes although a few 3-6 month outfits still fit (Her Baby Naming dress and sweater are size 3-6 months) 
• Has a Hebrew name: Zameret Aviva!
• Now has enough hair to wear cute hair clips. Yay!
• Still has NO teeth but we swear one (or several) are about to pop any day!
• Does not like to lay still during a diaper or outfit change
• Has tried many new foods -- apricots, butternut squash, corn, tomato, plums. Plus a bagel and soft serve yogurt!
• Now eats breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner, along with 3 bottles and two nursings!
• Has picked up a Puff with her thumb and pointer finger and put it in her mouth! Usually she just plays with them though
• LOVES gnawing on the Earth's Best teething crackers
• Now eats dinner in her high chair (at restaurants, sits in high chair too!)
• Now takes her bath in an inflatable tub inside the big tub
• Understands cause and affect: Bangs her cups together in the bath and hits a soft block with a rattle inside to make a noise
• Has favorite toys and can recognize and reach for them, such as her yellow duckie
• Has ridden the Metro and rode in a shopping cart!
• Continues to consistently sleep from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. without so much as a peep!
• Has picked up excellent sleep habits. We put her down and walk out of the room and she might squawk for a second, but quickly curls up and puts herself to sleep. Also, on the monitor, we'll see her crawl around her crib, sit up, and then plop back down and go to sleep!
• Wakes up with a groggy smile. :-)