Reggie is 8 months old!

I can't believe our baby is already 8 months old! Eight months is an interesting milestone because while our son is 8 months old, we have only known of his existence for 8 months, which is about the amount of time a "typical" couple knows they are expecting a baby. Our brother and sister-in-law found out they were expecting a baby shortly before we learned about Reggie, and just welcomed little Hannah into the world on March 25th (Congratulations!)

Not having the "expecting" phase with Reggie has been a challenge on multiple levels. First off, we had little time to prepare for him. Secondly, while we had a week to make our decision, we didn't really have a chance to think about all the new challenges we would face and how we would accomplish day-to-day life with three little ones. Third, which has effected me more than Bryan, is I feel like bonding has been a slower process. Every biological mom knows that you are bonding with your baby all through the nine months of pregnancy and every adoptive mom knows you are bonding with your child who is "somewhere out there" with every phone call, notarized paper, and trip down the baby aisle. But I basically missed out on that part with Reggie, and to be honest, at first he seemed more like Brett's brother than my son to me. There was the instant knowing that Reggie belonged to us when he was placed in our arms, but it has taken a while for the crisis to subside, for reality-as-we-know-it to set in, and for my heart to absorb my love for my child. In the early weeks, when Reggie was napping much of the day, Brett, Lydia and I would go about our day life-as-usual and Reggie would wake up and start to cry and it would jolt my new reality that I was the mother of three, not two. And, obviously, the fact that I can't devote 100% of my energy to him alone is another struggle. But, slowly and intentionally progressing over time, Reggie, has become my son and I have become his Momma. God's grace shined down on us and He entrusted us to care for this amazing little boy and he is fully ours - how he got to us is quite irrelevant.

Another something interesting about Reggie being 8 months old is Lydia was 8 months old when we learned about Reggie!

Reggie has been an ambitious little boy this month! He started his version of the army crawl (mostly leg action) early in the month and has progressed to the point where, when he is hot on the tail of a cat or dog, he will forget himself and do a regular crawl! He has also started clapping - so cute! And I've noticed he is starting to understand more words.

We experienced a little set-back with his sleeping-through-the-night...in my view 5am is still night even if Bryan is already off to work. He is usually taking 3 short naps a day.

Reggie is cutting his 4th tooth.

Reggie loves to eat rice cakes and rice rusks on his own and can pick up a cheerio or piece of banana, but usually doesn't make it to his mouth yet. Meat was added to his diet. He can feed himself a bottle independently and is making progress with his sippy cup.

Reggie loves to "run" around his activity table, chase the cat or Grandma's dog, "jump" in our laps, crawl around and explore, play with toys in his high chair, and cuddle with Momma before Lydia and Brett wake up. He also enjoys going for walks and hanging out in our new backpack carrier.