9 Months!

Well, my little man, you are now topping the charts at about 21 pounds and 31 inches.  You are a very busy guy and it's almost impossible to get you to sit still for your monthly photo shoot.  Your favorite activities these days are swinging cabinets and doors open and closed, climbing, poking and prodding KG, playing with electrical cords, and pulling lights and ornaments off the Christmas tree (so, pretty much anything that could harm you).  You sure keep me on my toes!  Some other favorite past times include:

removing everything from the console in the living room

 watching cement trucks with KG (they're building a new house down the street, so there has been a lot of action out our front window)

...and riding on daddy's shoulders.

 

You have developed a pretty predictable eating and sleeping pattern (at least for now).  Most nights you sleep from about 7:30 to 6:00 and you eat four 8oz bottles at around 6, 10, 2, and 6.  You also are up to two jars of food each day, plus some finger foods.   You're getting much better at feeding yourself.  In fact, I think more ends up in your mouth than on your lap now.

Naps are still all over the place, but I'm going to try to straighten those out after the holidays, once our Rolly Pollies class is over...  For now, I'm just going to enjoy the fact that the only way you'll nap longer than 30 minutes is if I'm rocking you (even though that means I don't get anything done).  Snuggle time!

You currently have your fourth cold of the season.  I've heard the average is 12 colds!!  I sure hope that's not the case...  They've just caused you to get a runny nose- no fevers or ear infections, thankfully.  This one is coupled with more teething, though, poor thing!  Just in the past day your 3rd, 4th, and 5th teeth broke through (one more on the bottom and two on top).  Hopefully, you'll get a little break now!

At your last orthotist appointment we got some great news!  According to your scan, your cephalic ratio was a 92 (which was a vast improvement from the 99 where you started).  The goal is to get it below a 90, which will hopefully happen by your next scan on December 21.  Your doc said that it will probably be pretty close, but even if it's not below that you will most likely have outgrown your helmet by then anyway.  We're keeping our fingers crossed!  This is the silly cap they make you wear when you get your head scanned (and the cool toy they distract you with).

Of course you experienced several more "firsts" this month.  We had the first snowfall of the season on November 19.  It was the perfect opportunity to try out your new snowsuit!

You loved sitting in the snow and hitting it with your hands.  Then you fell backwards (your balance was a little off with that puffy snowsuit on) and some snow landed in your face.  You thought this was hilarious.

Then, you fell forward and face planted in the snow, you did not find that to be as hilarious and we quickly went inside to warm up.

I found this ridiculous turkey head gear and couldn't resist making you wear it on your first Thanksgiving.  I know you'll probably hate me for it someday, but look how cute you are!!

 

We celebrated Thanksgiving at your great-aunt Char's house with grandpa White's side of the family.  Unfortunately, you weren't able to eat any turkey (or lefse), but you did eat several bites of mashed potatoes and cranberries.

(you were eying great-uncle Jim's lefse)

 

We tried to put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving like we usually do, but when we plugged it in this is what we got:

 

At least you still were pleased with our defective tree.  Daddy and I stayed up past midnight stripping all of the lights off of the "pre-lit" tree.  We bought some new lights and decorated it the next day.

 

The most exciting event of the month had to have been when you got to meet Santa last weekend.  

Okay, maybe you weren't quite as excited about it as I was, but at least you didn't cry!  Another first, that had been a long time coming, was your first overnight babysitter!  Dad and I went to the Foster the People concert at First Ave. and then stayed at a hotel downtown.  Grandma White, very graciously, took Monday off from work and stayed at our house with you.  I have to admit that I shed a few tears as we pulled away from the house, but we ended up having a great time.  You and grandma had a great time, too.  You even slept through the night for her and didn't seem mad at us when we returned home the next day.

Finally, we lost another dear family member this month.  Your great-grandma Vose passed away on November 18.  This is the first time you met her (when you were 11 days old).

I'm so thankful that you were able to spend some time with her, but am sorry that you didn't get a chance to know her better.  She had so many great stories- we'll be sure to tell them to you some day.  Losing both great-grandma Vose and great-grandma Berg over the past two months has made me realize how short life is and the importance of slowing down and appreciating each moment...  You make that easy.

Happy nine months, peanut!
Love, Mom