9 Months Old

My darling girl, where have these nine months gone? There are so many memories forever engraved on my mind, but it has just flown by way too fast. That's why today, I held you a little longer. I didn't rush to put you in bed and get something done. I feel like my time of holding you while you sleep is already limited.

I know it hasn't all been easy (nap battles, stomach flu, non-stop nursing...) but I can honestly say that being your mother has been the best thing I have ever done.

You are doing so much now. Within the past month, you started clapping (first silently, with closed fists, but now you make the cutest little slap-slap sound). You started waving right after Christmas. You are standing and cruising along everything: The couch, entertainment center, your activity table... You like to let go and try to balance on your own for a few seconds but you fall on your bottom pretty fast.

You get into everything now. Just this morning, you were in the living room playing and I realized you were too quiet. I came in and found you with an index card. There were itty bitty pieces of it stuck on your chin, on your hands, and all over your jammies. You reached in your mouth and pulled out a piece, then stretched out your arm to hand it to me and share. I love your thoughtfulness. You also like to share your toys (for now!) and food, whether it's been in your mouth already or not.

Did you know that we officially reached another breastfeeding milestone? When you were biting and having a hard time staying focused, I promised myself I wouldn't give up before nine months. And we worked through it together. Now when I nurse you in the morning, you lay next to me in bed all stretched out. Your toes poke into my thighs now. You've gotten so long. Occasionally you look over to check for Daddy. If he's already up getting ready for work, you will settle back down and snuggle longer. But if Daddy is in bed, forget it. You're ready to play, and he's much more fun than Mommy!

You are "talking" more and more. You consistently say Dada (although not directed at Daddy), ba ba, ga ga, and your newest is VUV! Vuv is always said with enthusiasm. Just today you heard a dog barking outside and said, "Woof." It was so clear. I guess that's your first word. You are in love with dogs, and chase Koby and Tiny (grandparents and great-grandparents' dogs) whenever we visit. You also love pictures of dogs, and any stuffed animals.

I think those are the highlights of the new things you have been doing, although I feel like I am cheating you to just sum up a whole month in one post. I hope you always know how much I love you. If I could have one wish, it would be that you would know without a doubt how deep, complete, and forever my love is for you.

Love, Mommy

Our nine month photo shoot... complete with carrots in her nose :(