Eight Months

Oh baby Jude, how you have melted our hearts. You are 8 months old and sweeter and cuter than we could have ever imagined. Some of your favorite things (I think) include but are not limited to: smiling, giggling, playing with anything that is not a proper toy, babbling all the live long day, army crawling (and you are fast!) and lately you have started to get up on your knees (!), eating, watching other kids, snuggling your mama, laughing at ceiling fans and when lights are turned on, taking baths, and gnawing on chins. Yep, I think that pretty much sums up your life these days. And we love it, and we love you! Eight months is great.

I have been thinking a lot about being a parent these last few weeks. Having a baby is a pretty beautiful thing. I'm not one for eloquence so please forgive my poor description of one of the most eloquent feelings I have ever had. Being a parent has made me love a little human being in a way I would have never imagined. And then it makes me love other people's kids that much more because when I see the children of my friends, family, strangers, you name it; I can't help but think, if only for a minute, that someone loves that kid how I love my Jude. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! At that moment I want to scoop up that stranger's baby and hug and kiss him, which is weird. Maybe I just need to be around kids more and I'll start thinking 'eww, you're gross!'. But right now I am still overcome with the fact of the matter that somebody (hopefully) loves you like how I love my baby. It tugs at my heart. And then that same thought transfers to my friends, family, strangers, you name it; and I want to be nicer and kinder to others because someone (hopefully) loves you as much as I love my baby. Being a parent has made my life beautiful.