9 months

Sweet boy,

You are 9 months old today! I can't believe that you have now been out of the womb longer than you were in there! When I was pregnant with you, I thought I'd NEVER have you in my arms ... and now here you are, 9 months old!

Although, lately, you aren't in my arms much any more. You are a busy, busy, busy little boy. Just this past week, you've officially mastered the skill of crawling. There for a while, you could only scoot backwards (too many hard floors in our house and not enough carpet for you to get traction on). You scooted backwards everywhere, but I don't think you knew where you were going. You just went and played with whatever you saw on your way to nowhere. But now, it's a whole different story. You see something that you wish to put in your mouth (since that's where all things go these days) and then get up on your little arms and knees and off you go. Daddy and I LOVE watching you learn and figure out how to maneuver yourself from one place to another.

Yesterday, when I went in to see why you were crying so hard instead of taking a nap, you were standing in your crib! Only the weekend before did we decide to lower your bed and I'm so glad we did. Stop growing up so quickly, ok? Please? For your momma?

Speaking of momma, it's your new favorite word. You now understand that it's my name and you cry out "Momma" all.the.time. You say "dada" and make lots of other babbles that don't sound like anything to us. We've been signing with you for the past couple of months and even though you can't make any of the signs, you sure do understand some of them. When it's time for you to nurse, even if you are happily playing, I'll ask you if you want "milk" (using the sign) and immediately you start whimpering and whining for me to come and pick you up.

You are still the easiest laugh in the world! I love that about you. We hope that this is indicative of your personality -- are you going to love life and love laughing? Will you enjoy making others laugh? You throw your little head back and belly laugh until whomever is making you laugh stops whatever it is that you think is funny. Physical comedy works well on you. Big gestures. Funny facial movements. These all make you laugh.

Growling is another new favorite past time. You are such a boy! You growl a very deep growl and expect a growl in return. This can go on for some time. I usually give up too soon because it hurts my throat to growl so much. I don't know how you can do it.

Whenever you hear music, you do your "happy dance". You sway back and forth to any type of music. You used to do it all the time but have decided that swaying is for babies and you've got more important things to do, like crawling.

Your 2 top teeth have come in, so your little mouth is now home to 4 teeth. We've been thinking that you are getting more, but nothing has popped through yet. I sure hope they do because you seem to be fairly miserable at times.

We've begun the early stages of giving you real food -- and you LOVE it. Graham crackers, cheese, pieces of grapes, bread, apple slices to suck on, water in a sippy cup, Cheerios and a few other foods. Your daddy and I get a huge kick out of watching you ever so carefully pick up the pieces of food and be so focused and determined to get it in your mouth. You do such a good job! You sit in your highchair while we are eating our dinner and you think you are big stuff.

You are a whopping 19.8 lbs and 28 1/4" long! We had your 9 month WBV this week and that's what your stats were. I can't believe that you've grown so much in such a short amount of time!

With all this new found mobility, you are also learning the meaning of "no". As you explore your world, Mommy and Daddy are helping you by setting some boundaries of things you can and can't touch and play with. So far, so good. Usually, after a couple of reminders, you leave the forbidden object alone and will play with whatever option we are offering you to have. Daddy and I are finding ourselves praying harder for more wisdom as we begin helping you and guiding your little heart.

You are still attending Bible Study Fellowship and MOPS with Mommy. The teachers at BSF say that you are one of their favorites and they love watching you enjoy the stories and songs they sing to you. I just pray that even while you are still so little, that God will already begin working in your heart to draw you to Himself.

We love you, little baby! Your daddy has lots of names for you like booger, little sausage, buddy, and others but I just call you my sweet baby. Because you are! I'm so grateful for the chance I have to be your mommy. Love you!

One Saturday afternoon, I found you just watching your Daddy mow the grass. Precious!
Our happy, happy baby!
Whoops. Going backwards can get you stuck quite easily!
I love this sweet picture of you.
Sitting like a big boy in your high chair
What a silly grin. Sometimes I forget that you are still a baby - you make such GREAT expressions!
Chewing on a paper towel roll that Aunt Christina gave you
Taking a walk with Daddy, Uncle John and Caleb
"Uhh, can someone help a fellow out here???"
When you get a bath, Daddy says you are a little "moo-moo". This is because your bath towel is a cow! :)
You like having books read to you - especially new ones that talk about Baby Jesus!
This week, you've started making this face -- not quite sure what you are doing but you look adorable.
Meeting your cousin, Caleb, at Thanksgiving
You boys are only 2.5 months apart -- friends already!
Daddy has taken over bath time with you - you guys have so much fun together!