Eight Months of Mads

Eight months of Madeline Joy. It feels like you’ve always been part of our story, and yet I’m still caught off guard by how fast you’re growing. Every day with you is full of discovery—and delight. You’re turning into such a curious, expressive little person, and we’re loving this stage.

This month, you’ve really hit your stride when it comes to sitting. You’re confident and steady, and you love playing on the floor surrounded by toys. You’ll spin in circles and scoot just enough to grab what you want. Lately, you’ve been obsessed with your suction spinner toys—those things are mesmerizing to you. 

You’ve tried a whole bunch of new foods this month. Asparagus, corn on the cob, shrimp, eggplant, grapefruit, Colby cheese, raspberries, and hummus all made the list. You’ve approached each one with wide-eyed curiosity (and usually a big mess). Your current favorite? Hummus—especially when it was served at a party with some of our friends. You went all in, double-dipping like you owned the place.

You’ve also gotten really into clapping—especially when the Yankees win. We’ll cheer and say, “Let’s go Yankees!” and you grin and smack those little hands together like you know exactly what’s going on. It’s adorable. You've been full of sounds too—lots of joyful babbles and your new favorite phrase: “da da da.” You say it all the time, sometimes just to hear yourself talk.

Baseball has been a theme this month. We’ve started walking to Bees games from our house, and those little family outings have quickly become a highlight. It’s so fun living close to the ballpark. You love the people-watching, the music, and the energy. And we love seeing you light up in that setting—your cheeks flushed with sunshine, your eyes scanning everything around you.

You’re still totally smitten with Tex. Whenever he walks into a room, your face lights up and you start flapping your arms in excitement. Sometimes you try to pet him, and we’re working on “gentle,” though you mostly just grab fistfuls of his fur. He’s endlessly patient with you, and we can already see a special bond forming between you two.

Sleep is… well, it’s a work in progress. Some nights are great. Others, not so much. But we’re finding our rhythm. You settle best when you’re close, and there’s something so tender about holding you in the dark and feeling you relax into sleep.

Eight months of you, and life just keeps getting better. You’re joyful, funny, determined, and endlessly curious. We’re having so much fun watching you learn and grow, and we’re so grateful we get to do this life with you.

We love you so much, baby Mads.