month nine

Size: Judah is wearing 6-12 month clothes and size 4 diapers. I guess I should probably schedule that 9 month well check now... oops! 

Eat: Eating solids at least two times a day still and loves everything we've given him! Eventually we just have to cut him off or he'd never stop eating...! He is still nursing too, and does so at least five times a day. Happy to say that it doesn't appear we'll be weaning anytime soon! 

Teeth: Four and a half teeth in that sweet smile! That's a thing, right?! His third top tooth just broke skin and it (and possibly three others, it's so hard to tell!) have been causing him quite a bit of pain. His shirts are soaked with drool and it's very rare that his hands or a binki aren't in his mouth. Ouch! He's taking up biting, too, another sure sign of teething troubles. Particularly my shoulder and knee. Thanks, Judah! 

Sleep: What is sleep again? Ha! Since my mom's visit last month and our road trip and week long visit at my sister's, and then more grandparents visiting, Judah has yet to sleep through the night. It's hard to say if it's all the changes, the teething pain, or maybe he's not getting enough to eat during the day, but he's been up at least once a night for the past couple of weeks. I'm not opposed to letting him cry it out, but homeboy just doesn't give up...! Annnd eventually I give in. Sigh. We'll get back to normal eventually. Still trying to keep him on a consistent schedule, though: going to bed around 7, up for the day around 7 and 2-3 naps during the day. 

Milestones: Judah's newest accomplishment: unassisted standing! He is constantly pulling himself up and trying to balance enough to let go of whatever he pulled himself up with! He doesn't like us to hold his hands while he's standing and he doesn't want to be put down sitting - the kid is independent and ready to go places! Cruising along the furniture and trying to take steps between two pieces... generally growing up faster than I'd like him to. Still mostly unsuccessfully feeding himself small bits of food (he's officially choked once so I think I'll just puree his foods from now until he's 18), solo drinking from his cup (the big kids were oddly really, very proud of this one) and playing peek-a-boo with his blanket. And maybe his best new achievement: saying "dada!" ...At dada! He lights up when Stephen gets home and he is always getting a big happy "dada!" It's so sweet! 

Likes: Eating food, splashing in water, the play kitchen toys, Hotwheels cars, being outside, his binki, his blanket and playing chase and peek-a-boo. He loves his momma, his siblings and his dada (basically, he doesn't like being alone and is happy and entertained when others are around!) He likes being held, trying to grab your phone, reading books before nap time (his favorites thus far are his Eric Carle ones) and getting his hands on whatever toy Uriah or Ezra is playing with.

Dislikes: Judah doesn't like being alone in a room and he doesn't like it when his food runs out (or when he has to wait for it to arrive). He also doesn't particularly like 11 hour road trips or sleeping in new beds/places. 

Things I want to remember: His squinty eyed, scrunch nose smile and breathy gasps of excitement. The way he gets so proud of himself for standing that he rocks with excitement and falls. His giggle when the kids play with him under and around his highchair. His "nanananana" babbles. The way he headbutts my legs when he's tired. The way he lays his head on my shoulder and snuggles his blanket when I sing to him before bed. His unruly white blonde hair. His zombie crawl: chasing us around using one knee and one foot. His happy, happy demeanor. His surprisingly big (beautifully blue) eyes. How much he looks like Ezra and his daddy. 

Gosh, you're just the best, Judah! Thanks for always going with the flow and making it pretty easy on us. You're such a joy and a true blessing. We love you so!