8mo DS is really big, 99th centile for length, head circumference above 99th centile, weight 75th centile.
He has never been able to do tummy time — has always screamed and lain flat on the floor mashing his nose into the playmat after a minute or so. So after 8 mo of multiple daily screaming sessions he can hold up his head and reach out for things and kick his legs, and roll onto his back, but is absolutely nowhere near being able to get up on his knees, rock, or crawl. He seems to have not much core or upper body strength.
However, he can stand up (wobbly) holding one hand or (less wobbly) holding both hands, and he can sit and reach out for things (will tip over if he reaches too far sideways).
He is a really terrible sleeper, so I am utterly exhausted (DH works 100 hours a week, and I have no support at all from anyone else). Thus I find it terribly hard to talk enough during the day. I often catch myself staring into the distance snd realising I haven't spoken to DS at all during a meal or a playmat session or whatever. So I am now really wortied DS isn't learning language fast enough. He doesn't really follow any verbal instructions. He does understand things and waves to people and smiles and is interested in things, and recognises the text of his favourite books (Peepo, Hairy Maclary, Gruffalo) and favourite tunes if DH and I sing... but I am worried he doesn't recognise his own name, doesn't clap or hi-five or anything like that, doesn't like other people much either.