9 Months

Pictures will be added later.

Dear Tree Faerie,

On Saturday, you turned 9 months old. To celebrate (and because your daddy had to work there), we went to the zoo. We met your daddy for lunch and walked around with him for a little while before he had to go back to work. I got a couple of pictures of you with your daddy and a few pictures of you and the animals. You were more interested in watching the people than the animals, though. You fell asleep in the night creatures exhibit, which I must admit I was secretly hoping for when I decided we'd check it out. I had a lot of fun spending the day at the zoo with you.

You had bologna, cheese, and french fries for lunch on Saturday because this month you decided you were done being fed and wanted to feed yourself. It took us a week and a half of you refusing solid foods before we figured it out. Your doctor suggested we try giving you finger foods after she checked you out for your case of thrush. She said her 2nd daughter did something similar around 9 months. I hadn't tried giving you anything more than the Gerber Sweet Puffs because you didn't have teeth and I wasn't sure how much you could mash up with your tongue and your gums. Turns out you can eat just about anything! I still haven't given you regular milk, honey, or peanut products, but pretty much everything else is a go! You love waffles, which is your new breakfast food. You've also finally figured out how to use your sippy cup, though we're still nursing. If your decision to feed yourself is any indication of what is to come, hopefully you'll just decide you're done nursing one day, too. You will be weaned by the time you're two, though.

Speaking of teeth, you finally cut your first tooth! I am so proud of you, but I must admit I cried a bit. My little girl is growing up! I found it on Sunday night when you decided to gnaw on my finger. When I felt something poke me, I had to investigate. Sure enough, you have your first tooth! It's the lower right tooth. You didn't seem like it was bothering you on Sunday, but yesterday evening you were in a mood. I just kept rotating teething rings for you, and that seemed to keep you happier.

This month you've mastered climbing the stairs in our house. I went out and bought a gate for the bottom after looking away for a couple of moments and finding you at the top of the stairs. No wonder my hair seems to be going grey a lot quicker! You've also been practicing what I like to call, "Look, Ma, no hands!" You'll pull up on something (anything, really), then get your balance and let go, both hands raised in front of you. You balance there for a few seconds then fall on your butt and giggle, sometimes applauding yourself.

You never fail to find new ways to make sure I'm totally in love with you. You've been saying Dada for a couple of months, and then you added Bye-bye. This month you decided to add one more word to your vocabulary - Mama. My heart swelled to maximum capacity when you said it! You've only said it once (though Daddy says twice, but I don't count the second one because I think you were just fussing and accidentally used the Mm sound), but I know you'll use it more as time goes by. Until then, you still call me Ah, which I think is adorable.

I know I've said this a thousand times already, and I'm sure I'll say it a thousand times more - You are one awesome kid. Thank you so much for choosing to be my child. I cannot put into words how much I love you, so I promise to try to show you in every way I can. I only have one request, though. Please don't be in too much of a hurry to grow up! While you'll always be my baby, I'd like to enjoy your baby-stage just a little longer.

XOXOXO,
Mama