Nine Months

Weight- 22 lbs. 12 oz. (90%)

Height- 29.1 in. (75%)

Head Circumference- 18.3 (75-90%)

Dear Monster Baby,

You've now been a part of the outside world as long as you lived in my belly.  You've changed so much in this past month- you might as well be a teenager. 

Over the past four weeks, you've transitioned into a full-fledged army crawler:

Papa and I are still trying to figure out how to rearrange the furniture so you can't play with those tempting lamp cords.  You've moved out of your infant car seat and into a big boy seat- my arms are thankful!  You still eat just about anything we give you- Cheerios are now on my list of "baby must-haves." You don't make us feed them to you anymore either- you like picking them up one by one.  They don't always make it into your mouth, but Tar doesn't mind. 

You have a tooth and a half (the other one is bound to pop through any day now)!  We thought you were getting teeth five months ago.  And four months ago.  And three months ago...you get the idea. Luckily you haven't used this tooth for any shenanigans like biting while nursing.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you don't try this...

Did I mention how huge you are?  You're wearing 12-18 month clothing and I still can't find socks to fit your adorable cankles. 

You broke my heart a little bit when you said "dadada"before "mama."  I got over it when I saw Papa's face absolutely light up.  The open-mouthed kisses you give me when I walk through the door after work help make up for it, too. 

Your favorite toy is a spatula- we call him Sticky. Genius, I know.  You also love the little orange vaccuum we use on the hardwood floors- I think you'd help me if you could.  Gramma's pushing hard for you to be the next Carlos Santana; she even bought you an age-inappropriate guitar.  You're just days away from playing your first chords!

("Please, please- no autographs- I'm with my family.")

You've also shown your talent in the acrobatics category, as exhibited in your crib:

 This is how it usually starts...

...then there's a complete upside-down turn...

 ...and sometimes we just see a butt.

You continue to sleep well (save our trip to San Diego- I blame the teeth!), and Sunday Afternoon Family Naps (yes, they're a so important that they fall into the proper noun category) are a favorite in our household.  I never, never, never want to get out of bed in the morning because your snuggling skills are second to none.

On St. Patty's Day, Papa taught you how to get in touch with your Irish roots:

We made another trip to San Diego- more on this in a future post...

The hardest part of this month was being away from you over night for the first time (again, more on this in a future post).  You and Papa had a blast, and Whistler and 22 of my girlfriends treated me well, but it was tough. 

Jack Wyatt, I don't think there are enough ways to say I love you.  Sometimes I think I might give you too many kisses, and I often have to hold myself back from squeezing you too tight.  You make my day, every day, and I never knew I could have so much fun with someone who poops his pants.  You are the only person for whom I will sing silly, made-up songs out loud; I guess that's because you're the only one who will tolerate my atrocious voice.  You are my favorite part of each day, and your Papa and I are so proud to be your parents.  I love you, love you, love you, lovebug. 

xoxo, 

Mama

Costco

Next week's deals must be spectacular:

Before and After

38 weeks in...

                                                                                 (I know- it's scary. And I got even bigger for the 10 following days.)

38 weeks out...

                                                                                                    (J's last official day in the infant carseat)

Eight Months

At eight months, The Boy...gives big open-mouth kisses on a daily basis.  gives me zerberts on my tummy.  is fascinated with D's elbow and forearm when he gets his diapers changes (J's diapers, not D's).  is a freakin' awesome sleeper. loves to eat almost anything- cheerios are a new fav.  has created his own version of a crawl- he lunges forward with his arms, then pushes off his toes, sticks his butt way up in the air, then moves ahead.  it works for him. (i have a feeling his roly-poly thighs may hold him back from a text-book crawl for a little while longer.) is wearing 12 month clothing.  plays ball- for real- with D:

love, love, loves Tar and Amelia and wants to grab fists full of their hair pet them all the time- we're working on the meaning of "gentle." got his first real cold- so, so sad to see your baby sick...is getting better at feeding himself.  tries to grab the spoon out of my hand when I'm feeding him. uses almost anything as a chew toy- the other day I caught him trying to eat the floor- seriously.  loves to knock down the block towers D builds him. could just play with kitchen stuff (tupperware and plastic utensils, no blenders or knives) and be perfectly happy.  becoming more weary of strangers and those he doesn't see on a regular basis.  gets frustrated when he can't reach his toys. wants to nurse the minute I walk through the door when I get home from work. is the best morning snuggler ever.  is sweet, funny, happy, and smiley.  I keep thinking each month is my most favorite month with him, and then the next one is ever better. 

love you, JWB...

Say it isn't so...

A whole 364 days until St. Patty's Day comes around again?

 

Only 7 days to go...

...until Baby J's favorite holiday.  He's appropriately demonstrated his excitement with a little jig:

Sig Ep Spikes

He's channeling his dad's hair, circa 2002.