9 months
Be forewarned.. every family post from now on will probably mention that fact that time goes by way.too.quickly.
Is there a ninja chopping onions in here again?
Here are 9 things about 9 months with my favorite little lovebug:
1) For past monthly photos, it was kind of funny trying to get her to stay on the blanket so I could snap her picture. Now? Totally hopeless, haha. She also figured out that there is a sticker on her onesie, and that she would like to pull it off… and eat it.
2) She learns so much, so quickly. With everything Tom and I teach her, she also has my mom (her nana) and my nana (her nananana) who teach her new things all the time, too. Some of the current favorites: still waving “hi” and “bye-bye,” dancing, clapping and “rawr”-ing like crazy, but can also “moo” when we ask her which sound a cow makes, “sniff” (scrunches her nose up and deeply inhales) when we ask her how it smells, and click her tongue. Her ability to absorb her surroundings and mimic what she sees is truly incredible, and I’m now much more mindful of my word choices 😉
3) Food continues to be just as fun as ever, and I love making her food and introducing her to new flavors. Newest faves: grapes, and broccoli (little trees). For the grapes, I’ll peel them and pinch off pieces to put on her tray, and for the broccoli, I steam a few florets and cut them into little trees. We can only give her a little food at a time on her tray, because we found out that she’ll chipmunk it and store it in her mouth instead of swallowing. One night I couldn’t believe she had eaten all the chicken pieces I gave her, and when I lifted her out of her high chair, she opened her mouth and they were all stuck to the roof of her mouth. One or two pieces at a time from now on, but I have to replenish asap.
4) She has her 9-month appointment today, and it’s the first one I’m actually excited about it instead of dreading. No shots (!) and I can’t wait for her pediatrician to see how much she’s grown. I’m so thankful for the pediatrician we have here in Tucson. She reminds me of a midwife-meets-pediatrician and helped so much during the initial hurdle with breastfeeding, jaundice and all of the tough stuff.
5) Oliv still has two teeth, but the top two have been on the way for a while. I’ll be glad when they’re here because they’ve been bugging her for a couple of weeks. We have an amber teething necklace, but I haven’t been putting it on her because I have to keep taking it off for car rides and nap time. I usually just use the frozen teethers, homemade popsicles, Humphrey’s teething strips, or if none of that seems to help, baby Tylenol.
She’s also still on the verge of walking, and can stand for a couple of seconds before squatting to sit down. She speed crawls and scales like a pro, so she can easily get where she wants to go (which is often Bella’s food dish or to try and bust through the baby gates).
I keep joking with Tom that she’s going to be a gymnast because of how strong and agile she is. We were sitting outside watching Bell and she reached over, grabbed the small iron table we were sitting at and pushed it up. It shocked me!
6) Her kisses are my favorite thing in the world. She’ll lean over and plant a wet, sloppy kiss on my chin, cheek, or right on the mouth.. my heart can’t even handle it.
7) Likes: playing peekaboo, “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” turning lights on and off, bath time, play dates with baby and mom friends (I’m fortunate that many friends have babies close to Liv’s age), homemade popsicles, chasing Bell, getting her hair brushed and her new dolly.
8) Dislikes: diaper changes, clothes in general, when she runs out of food to pinch up from her tray.
I can’t believe it’s already been 9 months, and that I’ve been fortunate to spend almost as much time with her as I spent anxiously waiting to meet her when she was in my belly. There’s always a “too good to be true” moment I feel when I see her, especially when I wake up in the morning. With the way things are going, I’ve realized that it will never go away. It will never be less exciting, and I’ll just continue to feel more blessed as time goes on <3
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Trees and flowers. To this day my kids still call them that. I cannot wait to see a picture with her having an olive on each finger. I use to core and spiral cut apples and make funny creatures with veggies. So much fun. A squeal of excitement for sure.
I teach Human Growth and Development and enjoy playing peek-a-boo while it lasts! Object Permanence usually develops around 10 months so she’ll no longer be surprised when you ‘reappear’ behind your hands 🙂
Olivia is adorable! Looks like she’ll be walking in no time 🙂
You’re right, it never goes away. I still look at my 3 year old and think.. oh my gosh, he’s mine. how did I get so lucky?!? And life with him just gets greater and greater.. even through the “terrible” toddler years.
I was going to say the same thing! My three year old son amazes me every day. It’s so much fun and his inquisitive nature and learning about the world is so exciting. For the past three years I’ve been saying “this is my favorite stage!” but really, it’s all awesome.
She always looks like the happiest baby in the world, her smiles are just so big and laughing !
Your last paragraph totally melted my heart. I can’t wait to have my own children one day and experience that myself 🙂
Liv’s just too precious!! She really is growing into her own little person. She seems so spunky and full of life. I hope to be so lucky one day.
What a little smartie- and cutie-pants you got there!! My sister and brother-in-law joke that they’re screwed when their kids learn how to spell, because a looooot of words are spelt out.. like S-T-U-P-I-D yesterday haha
The first words my brother learned to spell were C-A-N-D-Y and T-O-Y-S because I would always ask if we could get a candy or look at the toys while at the grocery store. He was about two when he looked at my mom and said “Can we get c-a-n-d-y?” and she was so shocked!
Oh she is growing up so fast! It’s wonderful to read your experiences and your excitement about being a mom. I hope to join the club someday as well, doesn’t seem like there is anything better!
I am so excited for all of these moments! So darn cute!
Oliv is so ADORABLE and smart!
I know what you mean about going by so fast. My little guy is 17 months and it seems like yesterday he was a newborn. Olivia is too cute and if you like her stage now, just wait until 12-15 months. They’re so interactive.
Also, I have to know where you got those popsicle molds?? I’ve been looking for some and those are cute.
Thanks!
Ohmygoodness this post was too precious for words. I can’t believe Livi is 9 months already!! Time flies!!
I too have realized that I will never get used to this feeling I have everyday for my child. Isn’t it amazing how much love we can feel for a tiny little human who’s only been around for a short time? It’s almost overwhelming for me sometimes when I think about the love I feel for my son. He still melts my heart at least 10,000 times a day!
I always heard that it just keeps getting better. So far it’s been true. As bittersweet as it is that my son leaves a stage, I always find myself loving his current one. I just try to enjoy the here and now!
What a doll! Those frozen teething things are genius…..
That baby doll must be all the rage in Tucson…my mom brought me the very same one for my daughter when she came up to Flagstaff to visit last weekend!
how cute- dolly twins 🙂
Do you have a recipe for the homemade popsicles?
i just blend up any fruit with some banana, add a little water and freeze
You and Tom are really such amazing parents, it brings a tear to my eye reading these adorable monthly updates. Not to mention, Olivia somehow seems to get cuter and cuter every month!
Omg. Love the “Ninja chopping onions”
She is so sweet! I love these posts but they make me realize how quickly time flies!
I’m crying because I know my baby will be here before I know it. I get choked up to think he will become more and more independent. He is my little love, I want to cuddle with him forever but watching them grow is the most amazing thing.
I love going back and reading these as my little one hits the same months! Sadly everyone recommends the teething strips but they were pulled off the shelf for a lawsuit over how they worded the box. Sad face.