At 9 months

Dear Tai,

I can't believe you are nine months old already.  You've now been out in the world for as long as you were living inside of me.  That is so amazing to me.  Even so, on the 5th of every month I remember when I went into labor.  As the days pass, I remember how I was feeling, what I was thinking.  And then on the 7th I remember going to the hospital and finally getting to meet you.  Your birth might not have been how I imagined, but it was wonderful anyway.

You've got two more teeth peeking through - you've got your Christmas two front teeth early, though you won't be chewing anything with them yet.  You have expanded your solid experiences some - you've been drinking a little bit of apple juice, and more water.  You prefer drinking from glasses (especially ones Dad or I are using) but you also dig sippy cups.  You've been eating Cheerios and loving them.  You're pretty good at picking them up in a pincher grip and sticking them into your mouth.  Sometimes you miss, and sometimes you share them with the dogs, but many get into your belly.  You enjoy fruit/grain mixes - especially oatmeal, peach, banana and ones with mango (just like Momma).  If I catch you while you're hungry, before you get too tired, you'll eat a whole jar with your mouth open like a baby bird.  Otherwise food is painted everywhere, your hair, the tray, the chair, your clothes and the dogs get to eat from your fingers.

You are still crawling like a champ.  You're fast and purposeful when you move.  And you're pulling yourself up on everything, sometimes standing with just one hand holding on to whatever is in front of you - the coffee table, the couch, the bed, my pants.  Then you cruise your way along the furniture.  

You love to watch the dogs.  When they wrestle, you laugh.  When Cocoa comes  to check you out, you grin.  When I give them breakfast or dinner you head into the kitchen to watch.  You'd also be happy to share - one morning I caught you taking a piece of Luna's kibble, just before you put it into your mouth.  I didn't want you to choke, otherwise I probably would have let you eat it for later blackmail material.

You're also working really hard on talking and communicating.  We can have long conversations about 'ba ba ba, ma ma ma.  i.  ba.'  We play long mimicking games, and sometimes you do things just to get my reaction (like fake coughing).  You still like playing 'this little piggy' and start laughing even before we get to the 'wee wee wee ' part.  You also like holding out whatever toy you might have to show me.  You've also started waving hello and goodbye.

Unfortunately you also had your first really bad cold, complete with fever and croup coughing.  It was so hard to see you looking quiet and still and unhappy.  Fortunately, you were all better in time for Halloween and the parties.

I'm loving you more and more every day.  I am so happy you are here.

Love always,
Your Momma