Matthew Ryan's Eighth Month...

Our little Matthew is growing and learning so fast. I have been "in love " since the day he was thought of. However, this past month has made me fall "in love" with him even more. I know babies grow and change so much during their first year of life. But, I feel that this past month has proved to be the month with the "most change". When I say change, I mean in more than one way, let me just say. Matthew has developed quite a personality. Well, what can you say, he's like Mike and I. He's pretty mellow most of the time. But..........He has a "strong" spirit as well. He's very stubborn and has a very strong will. When he wants something, he wants it "now"! And, when he does not want something, well, he's "not havin' it". Take for instance, "napping". I have been working, very reliously, for the past three months, on getting Matthew to take a nap. NO!!!! There will be NO napping! I try a morning nap and an afternoon nap. He screams the entire hour. I put music on, I have "black out" curtains, I rock him to sleep, I do everything I do at night (which, he sleeps soundly for 10 hours or more), so I know he is capabale of sleeping. Just no naps. I am not sure quite what to do at this point, but I am still willing to stick to my schedule. I figure that eventually he will figure it out. I have bought several "sleep" books. They should be arriving any day now. Any suggestions????? And, another funny thing he does....If I'm not feeding him fast enough in his highchair, he goes "nuts". Screaming, back arching, grunting... Quite the scene! But, on a different note. Matthew is an amazing little man. We have so much fun every day and I would not change my life with him for the world. He is pretty much unstoppable. He is so happy now that he can crawl. And of course, crawling is not good enough. He loves to walk around our coffee table, and anything else he can "pull up" onto, for that matter. His other favorite thing to do is play with Pauli's water dish. I used to keep it in the guest bathroom. But, everytime I turn my head for one second, he is in the bathroom, submerging his arms and splashing around in the water dish. Matthew also loves food and is a great eater. He now has four teeth, so he can eat Stage 3 foods. He has yet to spit out anything I have fed him. And, Mr. Independent loves to feed himself. One of his favorite things to eat are the Gerber Graduate's puffs. He is one smart, fun, determined, happy, stubborn little guy. And, we love him so much!!!!