At Nine Months...

Every parent says it, "I can't believe "so and so" is "however" old!" But it's true. I can't believe Ella is nine months old. It's also cliche to say how quickly time goes by when you have a child -- but perhaps it's a cliche because it's true. For nine months this little creature lived inside me and now she's been around for everyone to share for the same span of time. That's amazing to me.

What's also amazing is -- well Ella herself. I spent a lot of time just watching her today. When we were playing at the park, when we were sharing snacks or a bottle of water (because she prefers mommy's big jug over her pint-sized sippy cup) and found myself in wonderment. In just nine months she's come to learn so much and become such a little person. For instance:

At nine months she loves to walk if you hold her hands. She likes to crawl but must be motivated by something interesting -- and then she's off to the races.

At nine months she will stand in her crib at naptime until she's worn herself out. I'll go in her room to find her standing, cheek down to the crib railing, eyes shut, thumb in mouth.

At nine months she loves crawling underneath things and looking up at what's above her. This became a problem yesterday when she realized the swing actually moves when no one is in it and during her exploration she got bonked in the noggin.


She enjoys a big bath with mommy. We started this a few days ago and although I believe I may be getting a UTI we have had a blast splashing and playing in the "big tub".

At nine months she says mommy or mom mom to almost everything. Despite my efforts she does not yet associate it with me. She has not yet said daddy or da da but she's starting to learn "D" so it's coming very soon.

At nine months her first bite of food is always a small bite just in case she doesn't like it. If she does the mouth comes wide open and she emits an "mmm .... mmm". I think that's because I often make that sound when feeding her.

At nine months she will laugh almost any time she hears someone else laughing. To me -- this is a precious part of her personality.

At nine months she likes sitting up on her knees and has what I believe is tremendous balance.

At nine months she has her favorite "off limits" items. The straw in the fake ficus tree, tennis shoes, the toilet seat (the door stays shut whenever possible now), grass and any sort of plant. Today she ripped a leaf off a gorgeous and well manicured plant at the nail salon. I apologized profusely -- I think that's supposed to be very offensive to Buddhists. Suddenly there were plenty of little figurines of a happy fat man staring at me.

At nine months she LOVES it when daddy makes her fly like an airplane over Mount Mommy. She erupts with laughter.

At nine months she's fascinated with our mouths. Everything about them. She enjoys sticking her fist in our mouths -- feeling our teeth, playing with our tongues. And sometimes when I'm speaking I notice she's watching my mouth. Eveything is learning.

At nine months she hates shoes and only tolerates hats long enough for a trip to the park.

At nine months she has discovered dogs/puppies and LOVES them. The other day we were out in the front yard. All of a sudden Ella took off -- crawling as fast as her little knees would take her (it's cute she sort of swings her butt from side to side really sassy). I hadn't noticed, but our neighbor had brought their little dog out for a walk. Ella got a chance to pet the dog and she got a nice licking in return -- which ended in sweet giggles.

At nine months she loves Elmo and Cookie Monster. Nothing else really grabs her and I'm totally fine with that. We don't watch much television together. Sesame Street is about it. Although on weekend mornings we do turn on Thomas the Train -- but I find it more entertaining than she does. She does have a Pooh book that prompts you to make certain sounds with the accompanying music panel and she does like that. But it's the book and sounds not Pooh that captivate her.

At nine months she still has those beautiful blue eyes. And her hair -- which has just started to grow is blonde and fine. She has four teeth. Two little ones on bottom and two bigger ones up top -- complete with a big gap. Just like mommy and daddy.

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The other day we were down at the beach -- walking back to the car. A mommy and her little girl (maybe 3 or 4) were approaching when the mommy said, "What a cute baby!" We said our thank yous and crossed the street. Still within earshot we heard the little girl say, "Not as cute as my baby brother!"
Maybe not kid -- but at nine months, our Ella is pretty darn cute and -- oh what a joy and blessing.