Upon entering his eighth month on Planet Earth, our Sun Baby continues his trip to the United States.

Lior gets to hang out with a little person who is about his size when he visits Isaac and his parents, Jenny and Jake (right). Isaac is a few weeks younger than Lior, though quite a bit taller. Esther-Mirjam used to play volleyball with Jake. In fact, the latter invites her to come and play volleyball during her stay in the South Bend area. However, with two children needing her constant care, her volleyball days are behind her for now. Not that she minds, for she gets so much in return!

Lior and Luna have lunch at Legends with Tori (left), who is Phil's secretary (see seventh month). She is also the mom of two gorgeous young girls, Addison and Reese. Both were born at 35 weeks, just like Luna, and Tori offered Esther-Mirjam wonderful support when it became very likely that Luna was also going to be born early. Esther-Mirjam and Tori also share a love of dogs and it was in fact after a chat with Tori that Esther-Mirjam decided to give volunteering at Pet Refuge a try.

During the second part of her visit to the South Bend area, Luna stays with Sylvia and Ray in Niles (above). Sylvia is Phil's former secretary (see seventh month). She is the proud "oma" of four grandchildren, one of whom comes over to play with Luna. Sylvia very kindly lends lots of little people things to Esther-Mirjam during her stay. And her house has lots of little people toys that Luna and Lior enjoy tremendously. Luna plays in the back yard with Sophia (left), while Lior gets to give the swing a second try (right), with the help of his sister (top right). Sylvia very kindly babysits Luna and Lior so Esther-Mirjam can make a quick run to the bookstore to buy some children's books and songs. Her grandchildren are lucky to have such a loving "oma."

After having received such a warm welcome, it is hard to say goodbye to the South Bend area, but all good things must come to an end. Moreover, there are many good things in the Netherlands as well. Indeed, after a long return trip, the Sent clan receives a very warm welcome from Oma Alie, Opa Ben, and Opa Tano at the airport (row below, middle). The silly thing during the trip back is that Lior also has to take off his little shoes during the security check. As if he were a little terrorist! The only hard part during the flight back is that Luna is reluctant to go to sleep even though she is very tired. When very kind fellow passengers offer to hold Lior for a short period, Esther-Mirjam is able to comfort Luna to sleep. Upon returning to Nijmegen, Luna is still sleepy (row below, left) and Lior is a not entirely happy camper (row below, right). Indeed, the two end up waking up many times during the first nights back home, having a hard time getting used to the time difference. Esther-Mirjam has the, as it turns out, not so brilliant idea to let them sleep in her bed when they wake up at night. For Luna, this means pulling her mom's hair, asking for the TV to be turned on, messing with the blankets, throwing her mom's stuffed doggie on the floor.... And in the end this means that she is kindly returned to her own bed, in which she eventually falls asleep.

Lior seems to have gotten used to spending two days a week at daycare center Heyendael. The fact that he gets to hang out there with Hugo helps (row below, left and right). That is, he much prefers the sight of himself (row below, middle).

While it takes Lior over two weeks to adjust to the time difference again, his mom loves him unconditionally (row below). In fact, she kind of likes the nightly hours she gets to spend with her young son. Still, it should be about time for Lior to start sleeping through the night, unconditional love or not!

Having gotten used to eating fruit and veggies, Lior is now ready to give bread a try (row above, middle). He greets the first piece with a smile (row above, left) and is a little surprised by the subsequent contents of his mouth (row above, right). Lior seems to prefer to feed himself (left and right).

When visiting the Youth Health Bureau, Lior is praised for the fact that he is already putting so much effort into trying to crawl (row below). The problem is that he usually ends up moving backwards! Lior weighs in at 7720 grams (17 US pounds), which is still a little below average, but increasing with the curve, and measures 65.5 centimeters (25.8 inches), which is quite a bit below average. Because of concerns over his height, he will have to come back to the Youth Health Bureau an extra time next month. To reduce potential concerns, it ought to be noted that the height of babies cannot be measured with great accuracy.

Saint Nicholas' eve is celebrated in the Netherlands on December 5. It is the present-giving occasion in the Netherlands (after birthdays). Sinterklaas is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colorful Moorish dresses, called "Zwarte Pieten" (black Petes). Their blackness may have been inspired by black slaves, but today the more politically correct explanation that their faces are "black from soot" (as they have to climb through chimneys to deliver their gifts) is used. Sinterklaas has a long white beard, holds a long gold colored staff with a fancy curled top in his hand, and carries a big book with all the children's names in it, and whether they have been good or bad. He rides the roofs on a white horse. Each year in November Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat ''from Spain." Traditionally, in the weeks between his arrival and the 5th of December, before going to bed, children leave a carrot in a shoe as well as some water for Sinterklaas's horse, sing a Sinterklaas song, and will find a present in the shoe the next day.

When Sinterklaas is in the country again, Lior and Oma Naatje wait patiently for his arrival in Spijk (row above, left). They are excited to see his boat (row above, middle) and to be so close to Sinterklaas (row above, right). Lior seems less interested in Zwarte Piet (left). In fact, he falls asleep in Oma Naatje's arms while his sister plays games with the Zwarte Pieten (right).

Despite the Youth Health Bureau's concern about Lior's height, he is quickly becoming too big for his bath (row below, left and right). This is not the biggest problem, however. No, the mess he makes by splashing with his legs is a much bigger concern (row below, middle)!

Now that he is eating fruit, vegetables, and bread, it is easier for Lior to sit in his own chair (row below, left). He quite enjoys the new perspective this gives him (row below, middle). His mom does not quite enjoy the mess he makes when he eats bread (row below, right).

Hip, Hip, Hurray!
Tante Daan is 30 years old (right)!

Luna and Lior go to Doesburg to celebrate Tante Daan's birthday.

The more food Lior is allowed to eat, the more Kodak moments there are (row below). Of course, the fact that our Sun Baby is happy to smile whenever he is photographed helps tremendously. That is, he can often be seen smiling also when the camera is not nearby.

Hip, Hip, Hurray!
Eight months old!

Our poor Sun Baby continues to battle the cold he caught before his trip to the United States. To make matters worse, he also seems to have developed a rash on his forehead. Mom decides a visit to the family physician is in order, which takes us into the ninth month of our young man. Boy, time sure flies very, very quickly!