And the countdown has OFFICIALLY begun...

One day I know that I will look back at this time in my life and remember it as the most special, beautiful, memorable time ever. I have absolutely loved being on maternity leave. The past 8 months have been absolutely amazing. I am so grateful that I've had the chance to stay home for this long, but honestly- I want more! Last night Laz asked me if I'd be happy if I could stay home for 3 more months (I'm blessed with a husband who just wants to please), and my answer was no. Because the truth is- 3 more months would just prolong the inevitable- I have to go back to work and the longer I push it off, the harder it's going to be.

I've already started a countdown and I am dreading the day I have to wake up in the morning and be without her. My heart hurts so much just thinking about it, I can imagine it's going to really hurt when I have to actually do it.

I decided that I am going to do something fun each and every day I have left before I have to go "back." I want to know that I enjoyed every single moment of maternity leave to the very last second! So here we go...

Yesterday we went to the WATER PARK! Nadia loved splashing the water. This water park is great because it is shallow enough that babies can sit in it. I seriously plan to visit this place at least once a week from here until when I have to go "back."

Today we visited the MIAMI SEAQUARIUM (let me tell you, summer was not the best choice to visit that place!) Next time, we'll be visiting Flipper in the WINTER time! Regardless of the heat, we still had a great time. Nadia absolutely loved getting wet in the misters. Honestly, I think that was her favorite part of the entire day!

Don't you love the rosy cheeks??? She always gets flushed after just a few minutes outside. And of course, we always make sure to wear a hat to protect her head from the dangerous sun!

My baby is 8 months old!

Can you believe it? I barely can!

RED, WHITE, & BLUE!

Do you think we ended up with a few too many outfits?

She's like a fish!

We make sure to always wear a hat to protect her baldie head from the sun!

Not one- but two!!!

Nadia now has two teeth! I know the picture above doesn't show them, but with all honesty- even if she did give you a great big smile, they aren't big enough to catch on camera yet! ;-) The first one finally started peeking through almost one month ago! Then just a week later, it's neighbor appeared! Her two teeth are located on the bottom center of her mouth and are still inching their way out each and every day. And not because she's my kid or anything- but her teeth are really cute!

Look how much I've GROWN!

5 months...

6 months...

& now 7 months...

Today I realized that my baby will be 8 months old in just just SIX more days! It doesn't even seem possible that we are 2/3's of the way through her 1st year. Before I had a baby I never realized how short of a time babies are actually babies. In just four short months, my baby will not be a baby any more. She'll be considered a "toddler!" Just thinking that- is crazy!

Could it get any better?

Being a mommy gets better and better every single day! Seriously- I am at a point where every day is just that much more fabulous then the day before. My child is so delicious and yummy and she's doing so much cool stuff! She's been a super roller for months now and travels the house with her rolling, scooting and spinning. Just a few weeks ago she started tucking her legs under her body and rocking! Hello! How exciting is that?!?! I'm going to have an official crawler soon!She seems to want to talk really bad and looks like she studies peoples lips as they talk to her. She's babbling up a storm, shrieking, and making some totally hilarious facial expressions while she's doing it. She still loves the dogs and her face totally lights up when she sees other children. She is now an EXPERT sitter and actually got herself into the sitting position the other day (although I MISSED it!) She has been to the movie theatre a total of FIVE times now and loved every movie with the exception of the one her daddy picked. That made two of us! She loves shopping and going out to dinner. I thank God every day for the baby he sent us. She is truly a gift.