EIGHT MONTHS WITH TEDDY

Teddy turned eight months on Wednesday and it’s hard to believe we’ve been quarantined since he was five and a half months. I certainly don’t know what the next few months (and beyond) have in store, but in between the inevitable moments of anxiety, I’m feeling a little more hopeful thanks to warmer weather, our renovation being 99% wrapped up, our pool being open, and new sights and sounds to keep our busy little one entertained.

eight month baby update

eight month baby update

eight month baby update

eight month baby update

outfit  //  month cards  //  chair fabric

Like all parents, we’ve definitely had to get creative taking care of Teddy with both Will and I working from home. I feel guilty admitting that I’m overwhelmed because both Will and my mom are more available now than when Teddy was a newborn (and I can’t even imagine how hard this is for expecting parents, parents with multiple children, parents with school-aged children…) but he naps for shorter stretches and requires so much more stimulation during his waking hours these days that honestly I collapse into bed most nights by 9 p.m. completely exhausted and with zero energy to stay up and respond to emails or get up a blog post for the following day. I hate the temptation of being on my phone while I’m with Teddy during the day and I hate the guilt of feeling like I’m failing by not giving 100% in the career I also deeply value and don’t want to give up. I was only just starting to feel ready to call in some form of help right around the time we went into quarantine and it’s become increasingly apparent over the past two and a half months that I can’t be the mom/blogger/wife/daughter/friend I want to be without some reinforcements. I still don’t know what a solution there looks like for us and I hope it doesn’t sound too out of touch to admit that the inability to make plans for the future has been one of the hardest things for me about this time in quarantine. Of course, of course, of course we have so much to be thankful for and have been largely spared from the devastating impact of this virus, but it would be disingenuous not to admit that it has still challenged us, however trivially by comparison. Perhaps some of you can relate?

eight month baby update

eight month baby update

eight month baby update

outfit

Looming uncertainties aside, this age with Teddy has been such a delight. In addition to Will being able to spend so much more time with him, it’s incredible to watch Teddy taking more notice of the world around him, whether it’s examining every tag on a piece of clothing or leaning forward to stare out wide-eyed from his stroller. Sometimes I feel like a one-woman circus pulling every toy out of his basket to keep up with his endless enthusiasm (this is a new favorite, but you can see more of our go-tos here). He’s much more attentive when we read books, trying to turn the pages himself and reaching for the book when we’re finished as if to say “again!” which I can never resist. His two tiny bottom teeth have started to come in and are just about the cutest things I’ve ever seen. And the babbling! Who knew a string of ba-ba-bas, ma-ma-mas, and ga-ga-gas could bring such joy?! I live for those earnest and nonsensical conversations with him and I can’t wait to hear what comes out of his mouth next. I spent so much of his newborn stage wishing he would stay little forever (some reflections on that in this post) but I’m slowly realizing (and constantly reminding myself) that for every “last” there are so many beautiful “firsts” ahead of us, and hearing his little voice is the most precious reminder of how much we have to look forward to.

eight month baby update

baby carrier

eight month baby update

eight month baby update

Tuckernuck off the shoulder top (wearing XS)  //  white jeans  //  Castaner yellow espadrilles

Teddy’s cable knit sweater  //  Teddy’s white chinos

We’re continuing to breastfeed (which I loved getting to connect with several of you about in last month’s update!) and feed Teddy new flavors of purées and pouches and I’m very excited to have a kitchen again so we can feed him solids in his highchair every day and not bop back and forth between our house and my parents’ down the street where we were keeping all his mealtime accoutrements (everything we use linked in this post). It’s funny to see him enjoy flavors I don’t (apple/guava/beet anyone?) and to scrunch his nose at foods I love (you’d have thought I was poisoning him when I first gave him green beans).

eight month baby update

eight month baby update

eight month baby update

my swimsuit  //  Teddy’s swim trunks  //  Teddy’s baseball cap  //  inflatable pool

Sending my best to all of you getting through this time whatever challenges it’s put in your path. I’m trusting that there are brighter days ahead and in the mean time reminding myself that someday I’ll look back and long for this chaotic time with all my people under one roof, juggling as best we can. We are so fortunate to have our health, our families’ health, and this happy little corner of the internet where I get to connect and share with all of you. Thank you for being part of our lives! xx

eight month baby update

munchkin white hot inflatable duck tub

inflatable duck tub

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