9 Month Update

Dear Tatum,

Today you are 9 months old. I am just amazed that it has been 9 months already. The first 5 months felt a little like baby boot camp. Six months until now feel as if they have gone by in a blink of an eye. It is hard to believe that we will be celebrating your first birthday in just 3 months.

You woke Mommy this morning at 5am ready to eat and play. After eating and playing for a couple of hours we jumped back into bed with Daddy and took a short 30 minute nap. All three of us were startled awake when Daddy's alarm clock went off. We played some more, you ate again and then we began getting ready for your picture appointment.

The 9 month portrait session was a slight challenge today. It usually requires about an hour for pictures, but today was very different. Today you were tired and not real interested in what the photographers had to offer. We ended up spending 3 hours having your pictures done. In the middle of taking pictures you decided it was nap time and we headed to the "Mother's Room" to take a break. You slept for about 45 minutes and then we gave it another shot. We spent a little time with each one of the three photographers. They were laughing because they were not able to get you to wiped the "I think you are acting stupid and I can careless what you have to say" look off your face. I explained that you are a somewhat serious baby and have to be in the mood for fun... today you were not in the mood. Mommy still had some gorgeous pictures to choose from. Selecting which poses to buy is such a difficult job as I would buy them all if I could. In the end, your true personality was captured and is what I find the most beautiful.

This month I decided to list your developmental milestones as there are so many...

• Beginning to splash water with hands and feet during your baths.
  
• Imitate sounds and words. The other day I calling out the colors of your shape sorter pieces and you attempted to repeat the color "purple." It actually sounded pretty good and have not repeated it since.
  
• Drink from a sippy cup and eat biter biscuits on your own.
• Express anger and frustration when you are unable to do something. You are work so hard when we play with your toys.
  
• Beginning to understand the word "no" but you do not obey it yet. We have recently learned that outlets are a big no-no. You are very attracted to outlets and light switches. Mommy has been working with you light "on" and "off." As for the outlets, the word "no" has become the number one word in Mommy's vocabulary. The outlets in the house are now baby proofed.
• Clap your hands for just about everything and everyone.
• You bang toys together while talking very loudly.
  
• Look for objects once you throw or drop them.
  
• Love to see yourself in the mirror, especially naked before bath time. We always have a quick dancing session with the baby in the mirror. You also get very excited when you notice a picture of yourself. You let out little shrieks of happiness.
  
• Sit without support for the most part. I am always prepared to catch you if you begin to lean to far.
  
• Make sounds using your saliva and two teeth while smiling. This makes me laugh throughout the day.
  
• Turn 360 degrees on belly by using your arms
  
• Talk all day long in your baby language
  
• Dislike Mommy's homemade sweet potatoes. You gag as soon as you feel a somewhat chunky piece of food in your mouth.
  
• Watch your hands and fingers closely as you move them. You will watch one hand and then peek out the corner of your eye at the other hand to see if that one is moving as well.
• Cruise around the kitchen in your walker pretty quickly.
  
• Gag yourself sometimes with your thumb and then look at me like I did it.

Tomorrow is going to be a rough day. We are scheduled for your 9 month vaccination shots in the morning. Mommy will be at your side holding your hand. I hope it goes quickly.

I love you so much.

Love,
Mommy

Today's book: Eight Silly Monkeys