9 months

 

Oh, sweet baby...if I could freeze you at this age for about a year I would. I LOVE this stage. I feel like we've finally got each other figured out. But as soon as we figure it out, things change, new challenges, new developments, and we grow, adapt.

At 9 months you:

-went to Indiana. we drove starting at 6pm and you slept amazingly the whole way there.
-once we got there however, you spent the whole time sleeping only 2 hours at a time. Thank goodness grandma was there so we could get some naps in...oy.
-warmed up to grandma so fast (eventually you warmed up to grandpa. you even would reach for grandma in my arms...a first that made her Christmas :)
-started crawling the week before Christmas. then Christmas eve you decided to turn it on and have been cruising all around getting into everything.
-you love to explore independently...then you crawl over and reach your arms up to be cuddled...then you are off again.
-you have a decided opinion and cry when we take away something or won't let you have what you think you need!
-weigh 22 pounds and 10 onces. you are 29 inches long.
-go to sleep at 6 or 6:30. up at 10pm and 2pm to eat. up with Daddy at 5:30 or 6. nap from 7:30 to 9. nap from 1:30 to 3pm.
-eat three meals a day.
-you love Gerber wheels and pears
-drink from a straw...you prefer a straw to a sippy cup.
-you can pull yourself up to standing by yourself.
-you can sign for "milk" and "all done"
-you wear 12 and 18 month clothes
-you got spoiled rotten for Christmas with lots of books and toys....but you were just as happy with wrapping paper and boxes
-you clap your hands
-are SO ADORABLE when you wake up...so smiley and cuddly.
-use your pichers to pick up every tiny piece of dirt you find
-get scared by loud noises
-hug me with your whole body...arms and legs squeezed tight.
-started putting your head on my shoulder when you cuddle...heaven!
-you still hate your car seat and will be calmer if I sing. But it has to be certain songs or you will fuss.

-favorite songs for me to sing in the car are -Do a Deer -Frosty the Snowman -Jingle Bells -Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
-started to sprout some hair. your little baby mohawk is turning lighter
-are better at staying the nursery. you even stayed the whole service at Jerome over Christmas.
-HATE being left in the playpen while I go to the bathroom...you scream as soon as I put you down...it's pitiful