Nine Months Old

Nine months...how did we get here?  You've been here with us for longer than you were in my belly (from the time of conception, that is--I counted the days!).  Some days I feel like it was just yesterday that I was feeling you squirm around in my belly and then that day, nine months ago, that we finally met you.  But then other days I can't remember my life before you.

At nine months old, you're just recently wearing size 3 diapers.  You're starting to wear 6-9 month size clothes (we usually have to cuff the pants and sometimes even the sleeves), but are still able to wear most of the 3-6 month stuff.  Tomorrow we'll find out how you've been growing (and you have been!).

You still love to nurse--it's the only thing that can soothe you when you're extra grumpy.  We only get a few nursing sessions a day while I'm at work (morning, evening, then whatever happens overnight), but we both savor every moment (except when you're pinching my bo.ob--that still hurts pretty bad).  I love to look into those big brown eyes while you gaze back at me.  I still can't believe my body has provided for you for this long.

You're quite the eater overall.  You have cereal made with pear juice in the morning and fruits and veggies for lunch and dinner.  So far you've had: carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, green beans (both whole and pureed), peas, zucchini, avocado, bananas, applesauce, pears, and peaches.  You've got quite the set of pinchers on you and have mastered picking up food like green bean pieces and Cheer.ios.  You now know the color of bowl we keep the Cheer.ios in and get excited whenever we get them out.  You get mad when we tell you the Cheer.ios are "all done". 

You're the busiest little girl I've ever seen.  You're into everything and crawling and pulling up everywhere.  You can pull up on a flat wall, which is a really funny thing to watch!  You love to explore and are so curious about everything around you.  You're also pretty easily distractable--you could be headed toward one toy, but if another is in the way, you might stop to play with it instead (or you might just try to crawl right over it, no matter what it is!).  You prefer to be upright at all times.

You love your daddy fiercely, but I think you're still a mommy's girl.  Over the last month we've spent a lot of time together because of Daddy's work schedule and I think that's attached you even more.  Sometimes it's frustrating (like when I just want to go to the bathroom!), but most of the time I love to turn around and see you crawling like a mad-woman to get to me.  You can move really quickly!

Soon you're going to be walking and I'm not sure I'm ready.  You're starting to let go of things and stand on your own for a few seconds at a time--thank goodness you've become quite the graceful faller! 

Your favorite thing to do at home is to pull up on the windowsill (we have one that's no more than a foot off the floor) and watch the goings-on outside.  You love to watch other little kids, cars, motorcycles, and even just the trees blowing in the wind.  I'm excited for the weather to turn warm (as much as I truly hate warm weather) so we can spend even more time outside, where you seem to thrive.

Your sleeping continues to be a struggle for us.  Some days we'll think we've got it under control, then you'll shake things up.  Last week, for instance, we were at a point where you'd sleep 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., get up and eat, then go back to sleep until 6:30 a.m.  This week, however, you've been up all sorts of odd hours and then getting up for the day at 5 a.m., which is WAY too early for all of us!  Mommy still thinks there are teeth coming, but who really knows.  If I keep saying it, it eventually has to be true!

You have the biggest smile that just melts my heart.  You're sometimes shy about showing it to new people you meet, but when we get you alone, you don't stop smiling!

You also now wave!  It's the cutest thing (well, to this mommy, anyway).  You won't do it on command, but I suppose we should get used to that, shouldn't we?  :)

You giggle and babble nearly constantly now and my favorite time is when we're in the car and you sit in the back and tell me all about your day.  We've heard so many consonants from you: B, D, F, H, L, M, N, P, T, V.  I was so happy to hear "mama" finally.  Of course your words aren't directed at anyone in particular, but it's still a beautiful sound to hear.

You had your first real boo-boo this month and it scared your mommy and daddy a lot.  I finally have a picture uploaded and will do another blog post on it either today or tomorrow.  You, of course, were fine within a few minutes--it amazes me how resilient you are.  Usually a hug from mommy or daddy and you're off again!

I love you, baby.  I hope you'll never ever doubt that.  Even through the sleepless nights and grabby hands (you love to get ahold of Mommy's hair and tug HARD), I can't imagine my life without you in it.  Thank you for being such a happy blessing in my life, Sugarbear.

Love always,
Mommy