Tidbits: 9 months

Dear Kaeden,

Happy 9 months! Finally, it has been a month that has gone slowly. With our decently long trip to Ampersand and then a number of low-key weeks at home, it has been a stretched-out month, but I will not complain. You're growing up too fast anyway!

(Ryan wanted in on the tubby teddy action this month too!)

You haven't changed a whole lot in the past month, other than starting to look so old to me. Look at the way you're sitting up so tall & mature in that picture. It's crazy. Or maybe it's just that we've added a couple of new babies to our play group this month and I'm comparing you to them now. You're a giant!

Speaking of being a giant, apparently, you're not. We had your 9 month appointment this morning and you're only in the 50th percentile in weight and 25th in height. This is a big change for me from Ryan who has always been at least in the 50-75th percentile for everything! Given that you seem more athletically inclined already, I hope that you catch up :)

The trouble-making is beginning. You are constantly going for cords and paper if they are left unattended. And one day, I found that you had pulled a container of puffs out of the diaper bag, got it open, and were sitting on the floor eating them. Of course, given that this was the beginning of you being able to pick up & eat food by yourself, I was much more proud than upset!

You & Ryan continue to have a love-fear relationship. You both love being together so much and even playing and wrestling together (seriously... it is starting already!?!) but you inevitably wind up getting hurt. I can remember so many times growing up, hearing my mom say to one of my older brothers, "You just don't know your own strength" and that is already beginning in our house. Ryan loves to play with you and he usually starts out fine, but as soon as he gets really excited, he gets too rough. So, it's a fine line between letting you bond & have fun and keeping my poor Kaeden safe!

See what I mean?

You're still pulling up on just about everything, and now you're cruising all around too. You can even walk (slowly) behind a push toy, but you haven't tried standing up by yourself yet, so I don't think walking is too imminent.

You love your daddy, but you are a mama's boy through & through. You don't even like it if somebody else starts to get you ready for bed or a nap. And it appears that weaning you is going to be more challenging than Ryan. I tried giving up your morning feeding and going straight to cereal in the morning and you were not having it. You just fussed all morning until I nursed you. I guess we'll try again in a little while.