Sweet Baby Boy - you are 9 months old today! I just can't believe that in 3 short months, you will be 1. People aren't lying when they say that time flies. Your daddy and I are so proud of you and the precious little boy that you are. You have such a sweet personality and we just love watching you grow and discover new things each day.
We don't go to Dr. McClard until tomorrow, but a couple of weeks ago, we went in to get your ears checked out (turns out it was those pesky allergies again!) and you were almost 25 pounds. You now have 2 bottom teeth and I think we will see the top 2 very shortly! When I ask to see those teethies, you get the biggest grin and show them off. You won't oblige for anyone but Mommy!
You are still in a size 4 diaper, and I anticipate that will be the case for a while longer. We had to get the Pampers overnight diapers this week, since a diaper fell apart and made quite the mess during the night. You wear mostly 12 and 18 month things, but can wear some 9 month and some 2T things. It really ranges depending on the brand.
This month, you decided that you had enough of all this big people food and have reverted to liking baby food the most. You still drink 6 ounces of Similac when you wake up, a couple of 4 oz. bottles during the day at school, and then 8oz. before bed. You still absolutely love the Earth's Best food pouches, so we try to give you at least one or two of those at each meal. Even though you have decided not to eat a ton of table food, you are still obsessed with cheerios, goldfish, ritz crackers, yogurt melts and baby cheese puffs. Basically, you love carbs!
You started waking Mommy up earlier and earlier this month, so we moved your bedtime back a little to about 7:45, and you are sleeping a full 12 hours again. It's great because Mommy and Daddy can get up, get ready, make the bed, etc., and then get you up and ready for the day. It's great! Usually, you wake up, stand up on the side of your crib and wait for me to come and get you, and then, if I haven't made the bed yet, you crawl into Mommy and Daddy's bed for your morning bottle. You love laying up there surrounded by the pillows and covered in the blankets. On the weekends, you crawl around on us and play in the middle of the bed, and we have family time while we wake up.
You want to walk so very badly. You love to stand up, and you cruise along the couch and furniture and cabinets like it's your job. You can stand on your own for a second or two (or sometimes 5 or 10), but then you sit down. You are getting there, buddy! It won't be long before you are running up and down the halls. You still love your walker, and we have to be very careful not to get in your way or else you'll just run over our feet. Your Uncle Adam was especially impressed with your skills!
This month, you are up to 10 seconds under the water at swim lessons, and you are still the best little kicker. You've gotten a little apprehensive about 10 seconds, but we are working on it and Ms. Amber says it just takes a couple of weeks to get adjusted. You are absolutely smitten with a little girl in your class, Bryn, and you just giggle and talk to her when she's near. She is precious and I think she likes you too! On the weekends, we will drag out the old pink pool your cousins used to use and let you splash around in that. You love it!
A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated your first Easter. We went to Sugar Land and stayed with Nana and Papa. On Saturday, we went to the Annual Hill Easter Egg Hunt at Mimi and Bull's house. It was so much fun, and you enjoyed getting toted around by all the big cousins. You played and played and played and were so worn out that night! We tried to hunt eggs, but you were so interested in the first egg, that it was one and done. It's ok, though, because we have many more years of hunting eggs in our future. That night after baths, you enjoyed a goldfish picnic outside with Maddie Claire and you took turns letting Papa push you on the swing. The next day, we woke up to 2 Easter baskets filled with tons and tons of goodies, and then celebrated our Risen King at Nana and Papa's church. You got lots of play time with MC, and you really enjoyed riding the pony with Uncle Adam. It was a wonderful weekend!
This month, we had lots and lots of fun every weekend. We spent a lot of time relaxing, letting you practice walking and playing with all of your toys, and spent time with friends. We enjoyed a crawfish boil at the Pinkston's house where you played with Brooks all afternoon, and we spent lots of time going on walks and swinging outside. On the rainy days, you took naps with Daddy on the living room floor and we just stayed inside watching tv. It's been a good month!
The eighth month was a great one for you, Mr. Luke! I know that months 9-12 will go by so quickly, but I can't wait to see what adventures they hold. I can't say this enough - I love you so very, very much and it's my biggest joy to be your Mommy. I treasure every single second with you, and you are the light of my life. I'm so proud of you, buddy!
