8 Month Old and More Mobile Lily!

This has been an interesting month for Lily, but one that also has forced us to scramble even more to keep her out of trouble. About a month ago Lily figured out how to crawl rather effectively, and was quickly moving around everywhere she could. Almost as soon as she had crawling handled, however, Lily decided that standing needed to happen.

Lily started off slowly, bracing off of either Gina or I sitting on the ground, and for a while she needed to brace herself against us or an outstretched arm. She was so excited to be standing that she started to become upset when we didn't let her stand against us for extended periods of time. As such, it is little wonder that she soon started using available furniture. 

Our overstuffed ottoman is one of her favorite tools for this purpose, which serves a double purpose now of blocking off a hallway from her exploration (until we get a gate in place that can fit around the abnormally sized baseboards downstairs) and is padded enough that when she falls against it she isn't hurt. In addition to our overstuffed chair, the next logical step was cruising on the couch.

For the most part, the standing and cruising was cause for joy at her development, but then she started applying her skills in the crib. 

Needless to say we immediately lowered the crib a setting, thoughts of Lily tumbling out of her crib at night and then into all sorts of shenanigans forefront in our minds. Of course, she manage to quickly stand towards the top of that setting, so we lowered the crib to its lowest possible setting. That is only so effective however. (NB: the sound we're making in these videos is trying to get her to perform a motorboating move with her fingers on her own lips she's rather fond of lately, but she stops it as soon a camera comes out)

So far Lily cannot escape her confines, but it is likely only a matter of time.

Aside from the standing/cruising adventures, Lily's been having fun at Baby Laptime at a local library, where she gets to see and interact with other babies and toddlers. I've had to start bringing fewer of Lily's toys along, and may stop altogether, as her toys are very popular with the other kids, who don't hesitate to walk over and take them. Lily doesn't seem to mind at all since she's usually involved with something/someone else that's around, but it means I have to watch the traffic of said toys carefully to ensure they come home with us.

Lily's taking on a regular diet of solids, although it could be more varied. We get so caught up that we tend to rely on the same handful of regularly available items, but she seems to generally like them.

The cats are also becoming more used to and affectionate with Lily. Pelinore will occasionally rub against her, and Oliver outright demands cuddles at times.

Overall, while Lily's increased mobility, vertically and horizontally, has been the cause of extra work and worry, it's really great to watch her develop. Last night I was actually going through older photos to get a large batch printed, and I'm just flabbergasted that a baby that was that small, squishy, and floppy could become Lily in only 8 months.