month 9!

bubba scoops,

i have absolutely no idea where this nickname came from, but i like it. sometimes i just call you bubbas (what i called your big brother when he was a baby), and sometimes i just call you scoops, or scoopers. don't ask. one day i will have to post the astounding number of names i have given you in your 9 months of life.

you are about to get your 2 front teeth, and to be honest, i wish they'd come in already. you have a fussy day, then a good one, then 2 fussy days, and then a good one. but i can't even see the damn things yet! i just hope they make their appearance before our trip in less than 2 weeks, because i want you to at least be in the comfort of your own home while you're enduring the discomfort. the doc says they're making their way out, but only time will tell when they'll come for sure.

you are now 23 lbs 9 oz, and 28.5 inches long. you are in the 90th percentile for weight and 70th for height. you are a healthy little boy, and i am thankful that you have not been sick yet. someone told me last week that since you hadn't been sick, i should go out and get you sick. this is probably one of the most ridiculous things i've heard yet, and i responded with, "you're right, i should take him to wal-mart right now and have him lick the floor!" great idea.

there is a random thing i thought about this month that i don't think i've mentioned before, but probably should. you do not take a pacifier. i think i have just one picture of you with one in your mouth, and honestly, i'm glad i don't have to break you of the habit. instead, you suck on your hand. your right hand to be exact, and that serves as your comfort. you also pull your hair with your left hand at the same time and i find this to be one of the most endearing things about you. except, of course, when you're eating and you end up with peaches in your hair. ;) i always know when you're hungry, or tired, or need some lovin' when you give me this signal.

while we're on the topic of peaches, they are your favorite food, along with strawberry pear granola. if i can't get you to eat anything else, these two foods you almost always scarf down with no trouble. you are certainly eating better than you were a few months ago, but you never eat more than two containers of 2nd foods in a day (and that is a good day!), and you gag if i even try to put vegetables near your mouth. you have tried some table food, cream cheese chicken, tuna mac salad, cheese, sloppy joes, yogurt, and cottage cheese, and cheese is by far your favorite. you are definitely my child.

your sleeping habits went from sleeping from 8 until 6, eating, and then sleeping until 7-7:30, to waking up at 2am, and now at 4am instead. daddy has been going into your room and cuddling you to get you to go back to sleep and although i think we should just let you cry in hopes that one day you will finally SLEEP THRU THE NIGHT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, daddy would rather snuggle you than let you cry. the doc says you should grow out of it, and that it is less of a reward than me feeding you, but i disagree. i think you get up just for the snuggles. and i suppose i can't say i blame you! mama loves her snuggles, too.

you love to play peek-a-boo with me, but we call it, "where's the monkey?" and then i peek at you and say, "there's the monkey!" this inevitably gets a smile from you every time. not that i ever have to try to get you to smile, because let me tell you, you are the smiliest baby on the face of the planet and I LOVE IT. no joke, not one person walks by anywhere at any time that you don't smile at. i get comments everywhere i go, and although i've mentioned it before, i just have to bring it up again because i can't believe i got so lucky. don't ever stop smiling, baby boy.

you are still cruising around like a madman, and are even climbing. i wish i could upload the picture of you standing on your bike to reach the 2nd shelf of the entertainment center, but unfortunately that picture is on my phone. i am always so worried about sending your grandma d her pic of the day that sometimes i don't get the really good ones on the actual camera. along with the cruising and climbing comes quite a few bumps and scratches, but most of the time they don't phase you. i have to stop myself several times a day from rushing to your aide because i think you've really gone and hurt yourself, and then you don't even cry!

you have all but refused to sit in the bathtub for the past month and it was starting to drive me crazy. however, the past few nights we have surrounded you with toys and you've managed to keep your butt in the water. this is a welcome change and i hope it sticks!

i've started reading to you more consistently lately, after bathtime, and right before bed, and you are responding moreso now than ever before. as soon as you hear me, you crawl right over to me from whatever object you were chewing on and smile up at me. i am so glad you finally enjoy having me read to you.

every day you are starting to look more like a little boy, and although it's hard to imagine you as anything other than a baby, i do get glimpses of what you might be like as a boy and i can't wait to see what kind of person you become. i have a feeling your smile will always be infectious and your personality one that draws people to you. you are so special, and i love you so very much.

love,

mama