8 Month MacKay

Yes, he's cute even with really chapped lips.  I have a feeling this boy might be calling home for someone to bring him chapstick in high school.  He gets it from a combination of super-drooly lips and lovin' a binky too much.  We have figured out how to control it, lather up the binky with vaseline- but THIS was how his lips looked on September 3rd (8 month mark)... so let's just remember those chapped lips as they were.  

And in the next shot, he's even wearing a little chapstick:

 This is his new fascination:  feeding himself.  His favorite cereals (well, he's never really turned anything down, but THESE are the cereals we give him) Kix, & Cheerios.

This was this past weekend when Bart went on a "boys trip" to Mizzipi.  (That's apparently how the locals pronounce it.)  Whit and MacKay all ready for bed.  I even bathed them both.  Yes, I WAS trying to earn Mother-of-the Year.  I hate to brag (in public), but I did take them BOTH to Zoombezi Bay earlier that day.

Bubba has been pulling the funniest faces lately:  

At 8 Months, MacKay, YOU are:
-Still the sweetest baby I know.
-Starting to reach for me when I come to pick you up.  (My favorite thing!)
-Sleep 10-12 hours each night without eating, usually still takes 3 naps- sometimes 2, though.
-Nurse 5-6 times a day
-Starting to prefer a bottle of formula to Mommy, at times. (I'm trying to not get stressed out about this.)
-Starting to really use your voice- you like to yell at Whitney when she squeals.
-Trying SO hard to crawl.  You will inch along if there's food for you to get.
-Loving to feed yourself.
-Still enjoying baby food and trying any table food we'll give you.
-Wear size four diapers.
-Know who your Mommy and Daddy are- (and Big Sis too!)
-Love to stare at the TV
-Like to shake your head no and copy our noises
-Will NOT nurse unless you are in a totally quiet area and at home.  Luckily, you LOVE LOVE LOVE a bottle and will reach for it.  You even get excited when you see me warming up the water in the microwave.
-Make a funny "sssssss" sound and say "Da da da da" and "Ma ma ma ma"  (Nope, don't know what they mean, yet.)
-Sitting up on your own
-Are SOOOO laid back, unless you are ready to EAT.  Don't hold back on the food... you LOVE it.

MacKay, life with you keeps getting sweeter.  I am so lucky to be your Mommy.  You love to be cuddled and loved.  You laugh hysterically each day.  I love your squished, funny faces.  I love it when you breathe in and out really fast and scrunch up your eyes and face.  You make us laugh.  You are the delight of your big sister Whitney.  She adores you.  I am really loving being your Mom.  You make our home a sweeter, softer and more peaceful place.  Who knew a little boy could do that?  I'm sure the more "wild" days are ahead.  I want to keep you my baby a lot longer.  Don't grow up too quickly.  

You are so easy to lay down, get up, take around, sit down with, cuddle up to and be with.  I want all of the rest of my babies to be as sweet as you are.  You really are so wonderful- and I can't say it enough.  I stop myself all the time and just tell myself I blessed I am to have you.  Really, you're a gem.  Please stay this way!!!

Whitney LOVES being in the spotlight.  She requested her own picture to be taken with the Lion. 

This was the same night Bart was out of town.  MacKay thought that when I put him to bed, it was a late nap.  He woke up and cuddled with Whitney for a long time as they watched Wonderpets.  Being their Mom is great.  I'm a lucky lady.