Letters to Oliver: 9 Months

Dear Oliver,

You are now 9 months old.

And just a little chubby. :)

We have been having so much fun with you. You are becoming more and more YOU as your personality emerges. And what is that personality? Easy-going, happy, content. But also not afraid to let us know when you need something! When you are mad, you are MAD, but it's short-lived.

Now, this isn't to say it's all sunshine and roses. You have your tricky parts. You are RIDICULOUS during diaper changes. You flip and wriggle and escape and well...when there is poo involved I am not too amused by these shenanigans. On the other hand, I've become a diapering master and can do it quickly and accurately while you are standing and holding onto something. Thanks for giving me that new skill.

You are also a little challenging when it comes to the fact that you are teething like crazy. You have eight teeth and several more gums look very swollen so there will be some more bumpy days and nights down the road. But I figure it's better to get it over with quickly and mostly at the same time, right?

A beauty, that is for sure.

You have slowed down a wee bit on the physical front, at least as far as not walking or standing independently yet. Thank you, buddy! I was scared about you being a 9 month walker. However, you do climb things already. You got on top of a large plastic bin and on the cat tower and are always trying to scale the couch. I can't imagine how this will all play out when you are a toddler! Since you are such a fearless adventurer, you continue to fall down many times a day. This scared your Nana to death when she visited last month. She looked surprised at my very casual, "Oh, he falls all the time. It's fine." Ha. I swear I do my best to keep you from tumbling, but unless you are strapped in the Ergo all day, it's going to happen. There is just no stopping the boo-boos with you.

Note the mango in your eyebrows. Adds a little something.

Your babbling continues to become more language-like and we have been working to teach you some sign language. You will do the "more" sign here and there. We have also been working on "Soooo big!" but so far you are mostly content just to grin at us while we show how big we are.

Eating is going great. You aren't super interested in purees and prefer chunkier solids. You eat things like sweet potatoes, quinoa, brown rice, cooked apple & pears, blueberries, beets, asparagus, and carrots. Favorites would be sweet potatoes and beets. Asparagus? Not so much! You also enjoy Cheerios, but mostly when you find the ones you dropped on the floor. They have that extra spicy flavor with a hint of cat hair. Finally, you have mastered the sippy cup for the most part - good job, you!

Cheerios at the Chicago hotel.

You did very well during the days on our trip to Chicago and were easy peasy on the flight, but you did not sleep well at night. NOOOO. Not at all. So we have decided that you can hang out in the Midwest until you are two. That's the breaks, kid!

While you opted out of sleeping at night in Chicago, you are generally doing better at home. There have been some rough patches when you aren't feeling well or are having teething pain, but it's manageable...for now. You remain an excellent napper. Let's make a pact that you will continue to nap soundly and daily until you are 6.

On the plane to Chicago.

You play independently for stretches longer than your sister can, which is awesome. You aren't super interested in books yet, preferring to grab them and eat them and then crawl away, but we keep trying. Your favorite thing continues to be your sister. She delights you like no other person can.

Love you, love you, love you, my charming baby boy.

Love,
Mama