Eden at 9 months

9 months! Time is zooming by.

Dear little Eden, you are such an amazing baby. This month you were heading into the new world with a full throttle- everything in your reach was of interest and you tried to take the world by the reins!

At nine months you are getting so much more interested in moving about. You aren't crawling yet, but you are definitely making an effort to drag yourself across the room if something is interesting enough for you. If I spill something or a cord is available, you'll try to haul yourself over. Its funny and honestly I'm in no hurry for you to put those knees underneath yourself. There are lots of stairs in our house and currently plenty of time for me to catch you before you even get close. I'm sure that won't be the case once you really start moving.

When you aren't moving you are trying out your voice. This month we are hearing more ma ma, and lots of baa baa baa like a little sheep. Its very cute. When you are extra animated you tell us babble stories that we adore and engage. I love your little voice so much.

Our days begin around 7 am. Sometimes you sleep until 7:15, but nearly always in my bed from about 5 to 7. You wake up, I bring you in an feed you and then you wander off into a dream until its time for the day to start. I appreciate your late sleeping very much. 7:15 feels glorious. There were days when I used to think that 7 was anything but late, but I'll take it. 7:15 feels like I get to sleep without any interruption and wake up on our own without an alarm, which is a win in my book. You always wake with a smile, which warms my heart. You are so happy and excited to greet the world. You feel like the closest thing in our lives to pure joy. Babies always do that to me, I know that now since we've done this three times, but its never any less awesome with each one of your beautiful personalities.

When we get up we head down to get the boys breakfast, and you join them usually with a variety of fresh fruit. I haven't started real oatmeal with you yet, but its in your near future. Instead you dig the fruit/grain pouches, yogurt melts and puffs. You like food and you are getting very good at manipulating small pieces to get them in your mouth. You are persistent too, and its fun to see you try again and again to land a sweet piece of raspberry or kiwi in your mouth. I cheer for your success. Raspberries are your hands down favorite. You'd eat them all day if we'd let you and when they are gone you let us know. You do not like it when I put them away if you are not finished. Your vocal opinions are so fun to hear and your protest is often successful.

After breakfast we head to get dressed and play. You get to play with a variety of toys. The boys drag out everything they can find, and you've definitely most recently been interested in mirrors and things that rattle and shake. Sometimes I see you admire yourself in the mirror, and its pretty adorable. You have this look about you like, who is that person in the mirror? Your little mind is certainly on the verge of so many discoveries. I want to capture each one and hold it in time.

While you play and your brothers fill your environment with new words, sounds, and books I take about 15 minutes to get ready for the day. I don't know what I would do without your brothers. Sometimes they are all boys, but other times they are the worlds best helpers and brothers. All three of you make our lives so full and happy. On weekdays, once I'm ready the mad dash to get the boys ready for school happens, usually with you on my hip. You enjoy just being part of the excitement and so we go to and fro, packing back packs, getting lunches, shoes, snow pants, all the things- and you look on and soak it all up.

Soon after Candy arrives and the day begins to be really about you since everyone is out of the house. At 9:15/9:30 you take your first nap, which usually is 1.5 to 2 hours of solid rest. We are so thankful you sleep well. Since Candy is a whirling dervish she's often cleaning the house or working on laundry while you sleep. Once you are awake around 11 or 11:30 its play time- books and crawling and dancing and singing. We can't wait to get outside as the weather gets warmer and warmer to let you enjoy outdoors. You love the attention and we're lucky to have Candy who adores you like one of her own grand children. At 12:30 you have your afternoon bottle and then at 1 its lunchtime. You eat all sorts of things- mostly from the Plum organics pouches, that make my life so much easier, complimented with fresh fruit or cheese. You certainly don't miss any meals and tip the scales at your 9 month appt at 22 lbs- in the 77th percentile.

Before long its time for your second nap, which overlaps with when your dad gets home. He's with just you from 2:15 to 3:45 when you go pick up the boys and he savors those moments with you. I wasn't certain how he'd take the girl gig- since both boys have such a special bond with him. But really, its no different, and he really has created a uniquely special bond with you. You adore him. I recall when you were just 4 weeks old and we were in Portugal and he couldn't quite figure out how to calm you down- he had not been with you all that much because he saved his paternity leave for our trip and I could tell he was frustrated and feeling defeated since you often quieted right down for me. I reminded him that he needed to get to know you and of course, it worked. Just a few weeks later he was on his game, and now when I see you get so excited you shake with joy when he comes in the room I am often reminded of that moment and so proud of him for all the work it takes to be such an amazing dad. He's so good about making sure you hear so many new words and always takes the time to be with you, which is so important.

Your second nap sometimes happens in his arms, but I don't think he complains so much because he knows he'll miss it when you don't need or want it anymore. Thankfully, after about 7.5 months you didn't need the swaddle anymore, so mostly you'll fall asleep with lambykins and your blankie tucked around you.

At 3:45 you wake up or he has to wake you to pack you up to go get the boys. Being the third means that sometimes you have to succumb to being part of the routine, unfortunately. We work hard to preserve your nap time and bed time, but it doesn't always work out. Luckily you are such a happy baby and so tolerant of when we mess with your schedule.

After the boys are home the early evening showdown begins. Its making dinner, preparing for whatever is going on that night, and the boys usually play with you while your dad preps dinner as I'm on the way home. We find time to help you play- you love the jumperoo and to roll about. Before long you've had dinner and its time to get ready for bed. You're still on a good night time schedule, you sleep from about 6:45 pm to 7 am and wake up for one bottle. You're nursing a bit less, which means more rest for me, but also a bit of adjustment in my pumping schedule.

We read you books, cuddle and snuggle and rock you to a sweet slumber. You are adorable, cuddly and amazing and we are so lucky to share our days with you. Happy 9 months, baby girl.

love
momma & daddy