8 months old!

On Tuesday, January 17, Avery was 8 months old!  Again, I can't believe how fast the time is flying by!  He is getting so big.  My dad remarked today that when he sees Avery again after not seeing him for a few days he notices subtle changes in his face.  I guess I don't notice them because I see him every day. To me, he's looked the same for the past few months, but he just keeps getting bigger (and heavier!).
Noel and I weighed Avery and he weighs approximately 20 pounds and 12 ounces.  He will have an official weigh in at the doctor's for his 9 month check-up.  We tried to measure his height but the result we got was 28 inches, which is what he supposedly was at his 6 month check-up.  But I know he has grown because his sleepers fit differently now.  I guess it's really difficult to measure his height accurately. But his weight is right on track according to the charts.  Avery is still in the 6-12 month size but he pretty much doesn't fit in anything that is just 6-9 months, and he is even starting to outgrow the 12 month sizes.
Here are some of the new develops from this month:

• Sits well unsupported, although he occasionally still falls over.  Sometimes he falls over (on purpose?) while trying to get something that is just out of his reach!
• good at using his fingers to scoop up a piece of food and hold it and can put the food in his mouth (he's feeding himself with his hands and also using spoons or forks that I pre-fill for him, although for some reason he turns the spoons upside down)
• he eats pretty much whatever we are eating now - as long as it isn't too processed or salty.  
• learned to open his hand and fingers at will to drop objects
• his emotions are becoming more obvious - he concentrates, gets frustrated, is happy, confused, excited, etc - it's so much fun to see all his emotions!
• he cries when Noel uses his drill (which is unfortunate)
• doesn't really have stranger anxiety, but looks to me for reassurance when meeting new people
• exploring objects - likes activity centres and toys where you can DO something.
• like to put things behind his head with both hands
• his vision is now almost the same as adults 
• Sleeping through the night - by MY definition (none of this "5 hours straight = through the night" crap!)  Avery will now sleep for 12 hours without waking up to nurse.  He usually sleeps from about 6:30pm to 6:30am.  
• rolls over in his crib (onto his tummy) and seems to get stuck (although I know he knows how to roll back over, but maybe he doesn't have enough room or he just panics)
• getting chattier and has "conversations" with me and tells Daddy all about his day!
• responds to his own name
• cries when we walk away from him
• reaches up when he wants to be removed from the exersaucer or eating chair

Here are some photos of Avery on his 8 month birthday!