Life With an 8-Month-Old

Hey, mama bears 🐻

I’m always asked about my daily routine (there will be a separate blog post about my daily life), what it’s like with an eight-month-old, and how I keep myself balanced as busy as I am. Well, of course, I am here to share all of the details with you. Life with an eight-month-old is busy, exciting, and tiring. Greyson will be nine months on September 8…

He is so smart, sweet, and curious. He can crawl, stand, dance, sit, and he’s almost trying to walk (ahhhh). He wants to talk to me so badly, loves to laugh, go for long walks, shopping, and playing with his toys in his nursery. Having an eight-month-old baby is so different than having a newborn, or even a six-month-old at home. Things change quickly and they not only grow physically but mentally they mature incredibly fast. You watch them discover the world around them and it’s beautiful (and scary).

Eight-month-olds are a lot of fun because they’re more independent, but they’re also a lot of work. Mamas, be prepared to stay active with your baby all day and for their sleeping pattern to change. I love how active and alert he is, but he has stopped napping as much as he did (he has FOMO) and some nights he wants to stay up late with me and hangout…I love my little buddy. By the way, it doesn’t make you a bad mom to feel happy when they’re finally asleep. You need time to yourself, whether you escape by reading, binge-watching your favorite show, or spending time with your lover.

I’m able to set Greyson up in his height chair now while he drinks his milk (he loves feeding himself) and watches Little Baby Bum and I’m able to vacuum, change, do my makeup, etc. I feed him his baby food after (or before) his milk, depending on his mood and he loves all types of food from bananas and raspberries to peas and carrots. He isn’t picky! He can have teething biscuits now and we are starting to try spaghetti and foods appropriate for his age, but he’s still adjusting.

He has three (almost four) teeth on the top and two on the bottom. When your baby hits the eight-month mark they will not only be teething, but they’ll also be dealing with discomfort as their teeth push through, if they haven’t already begun going through that process. Greyson only deals with mild discomfort, but don’t be surprised if teething changes their routine. Some nights Greyson doesn’t want to sleep because he’s uncomfortable…show patience, love, and use what works best for you and your baby to soothe their gums. I’ve also started using the finger toothbrush once a day to gently scrub his existing teeth (he think it’s so funny and giggles), which is a great way to get your baby used to a toothbrush.

He wakes up every morning and falls asleep happy and positive, which is a beautiful thing. He is very rarely upset (except when he’s hungry). Eight-month-olds have a lot of energy and are full of surprises! It’s important to take care of yourself throughout the day because you’ll need the energy…trust me. I’m constantly playing on the floor with him, carrying him, running around and getting things done, but I really do love spending my days with him. They love to grab and pull, too…your hair, bracelets, and necklaces will become fixations.

Greyson loves being out and about, so I always recommend to mamas with eight-month olds (and older) to get them out of the house a few times a week, at least. Go to the park, walk around the mall, grocery shop, or drive to the beach. Even if you walk down your road and breathe some outdoor air, your baby will enjoy it. Babies love to learn and explore and the older they get the more they absorb. Greyson loves seeing people, places, and things. He loves listening to conversations, music, and looking at products when we’re shopping.

My friends always ask me how I stay awake and full of energy. “Lizzie, why aren’t you tired?” I am perpetually tired…I’m a mom, lol. But, I stay motivated and I enjoy each day with my son. The best way to keep your energy up is to eat healthily, take moments for yourself, do some yoga or a quick workout, and have fun. There are days that are stressful and I hide it well, but all mamas have bad days. I do my best to spend time with my friends, too, which keeps me balanced. My husband is amazing and very supportive of me and my feelings, which makes the long days easier #thankful. It’s also really important to have something that is all yours…for example, I write and I have my own business, Petsitting by Lizzie LLC, and both of those things are personal accomplishments. Mamas, set some goals for yourself and conquer those goals. Do your hair, put on some mascara, and be motivated each day.

When you go out for date night with your boo, or you go to get your nails done, your baby at eight months will start to understand that you’re leaving. Separation Anxiety develops around eight months; Greyson knows when I’m going out now and he doesn’t like it. He notices when Andrew leaves for work and he anticipates when he’s coming home. If I leave for an hour, or two in the evening to pet sit, even though he’s home with Andrew, he won’t go to sleep until I come home. I spend as little time as possible away from him because he misses me as much as I miss him. Their personalities shine and sparkle at eight months and they keep us entertained.

Always remember to stay true to yourself and don’t lose sight of you as your child grows. They will be able to get to know who you are as a person and that will mean so much to them. Be the rockstar you know you are and never give up, even on the days that are long, and exhausting.

Greyson’s Letter

Grey,

You’re such a light and every single day you impress and inspire me with your sense of humor, positivity, and innocence. I can never be upset around you because you remind me what’s truly important. Yes, some days I am so tired and I try really hard to stay energized and happy, for you, but being your mama is worth being tired. I wish I could really explain to you what it’s like being a mom, feeling the way I feel when you smile or laugh, and how amazing the journey is as a parent (and terrifying). One day, I am sure you’ll know exactly what I mean, but as you jump into your ninth month I wish you endless happiness, giggles, and discovery.

Love,

Mama

Stay tuned for the next entry of The Greyson Diaries 💙 & follow me on Instagram: lizziemognoni