Dear Macey (9 months)

Macey Jean,

You're 9 months old! Wow-- we're marching right along towards your first birthday, aren't we? I'm enjoying every minute of watching the little person you're becoming. You are full of life and personality these days; in fact, your Nan thinks you're going to be a little clown. If that is the case, that will be a nice complement to your brother's more cautious, observant personality (which he gets from his mama). So far, you seem to be taking on much more of your daddy's personality characteristics-- laid back, easygoing, friendly, funny-- even though you look like a little clone of me.

So here's you, sweet girl, at 9 months old:

• You weigh around 15 lbs, 5 oz. Yep-- you're a peanut. I imagine you'll always be petite like me.
• You nurse every 3-4 hours during the day and still comfort nurse at night. I'll work on that once it's time to wean you at a year old.
• You take 2 naps a day, averaging around 1.5-2 hours each.
• You babble: mamama, dadada, bababa, yayaya.
• You pull up to stand and have begun to cruise around furniture.
• You crawl like a champ. You're very fast. I don't think there's an area of the house that you haven't explored yet.
• You've started to mimic a bit-- sometimes if I stick my tongue out, you will too. Or if I sneeze, you'll fake a sneeze immediately afterwards.
• You dance! This is new-- it just started in the past couple of days. Your daddy can always get you to dance by singing and dancing with you.
• You eat solids 3 times a day, but usually no more than 2 oz. of purees at a time. You are eating some finger foods now too, like mac and cheese (only your Nan's baked mac & cheese though- you're a selective girl), bread, graham crackers, peas, puffs, Cheerios, and Arrowroot cookies.
• You put EVERYTHING in your mouth. Everything. This is new territory for me; Camden was never interested in putting anything other than food into his mouth. This is also new territory for me because your brother has a lot of small toys. While we've moved his choking hazard toys up to his bedroom, I'm always on the lookout for any stray toys-- or pieces of food, fuzz, whatever-- on the floor. Because if it's there, you will find it. And promptly stick it in your mouth.
• You're still totally toothless and pretty darn bald. But hey- it looks good on you.
• You have the slightest bit of stranger anxiety but nothing extreme. We'll see how you do at your 9 month check up in a few weeks.
• You do the cutest crinkled-nose smile now. Makes me laugh every time I see it, and you know this, so you often do it for a reaction. You'll crinkle your nose and sniff while smiling and then you'll quickly look around to see who's watching your show.
• Your favorite place to be is in your brother's room (supervised closely by me, of course, due to the aforementioned choking hazard toys).
• You love bath time and take a bath with Camden now (while sitting in your bath seat).
• You love to go for wagon rides with your brother.

I'm loving everything about you at this age, Macey. You're so fun, so sweet, and so loving. The whole family is pretty crazy about you. You truly are the perfect addition; you make our family feel complete. We all love you so very much.

Love,
Mommy

Boat riding...

 

 

She adores her brother and vice versa.

 

Climbing me as per usual.

 

Helping Mommy with dinner.