My Baby is 9mo

Can we just stop for a minute and look at the picture above. I love this picture and it will probably be a part of our new family wall I'm planning for our living room. Sweet Dad just wanted a pic with his boy and I was...well, in the hospital bed. I just love it. Ahhh, take it in....now on to 9 months later.

The picture above makes me think Parke needs a little haircut. I mean he kind of has a combover working for him. But here's the deal, he has a natural part waaay over on the side of his head. What's a mom to do with that!? We did give him a little trim around the ears the other day but we'll have to think about a real haircut. I don't want him to look at pictures and think "seriously mom, what were you thinking". He probably will anyway right! I love this picture too b/c this is OFTEN the look he gives someone he hasn't seen in a while or just met. Parke, you love to smile but you also love to take in information and process if you a)know this person b)trust this person c) think they are funny or silly before smiling! I love it. You can't love everyone you meet right?

At 9mo. you are doing a few new things. You can waive bye-bye and do it most often to dad when we are headed off to bed. Sometimes if we work at it long enough you also muster out a little "buh-buh" while doing it. On the subject of going to bed...you sleep through the night little one! We hold that with open hands around here...I don't think it's the point of parenting and I don't think it's something that makes or breaks us. BUT, good job little one, we are enjoying it! Your fussy time is around 5:30-7:00 at night. This just means it might take a good rolling around on mom/dad's bed to keep you happy. I give you a little aquaphor tube and you are good to go.

You have also transitioned to finger foods. This is so fun for you and it is such joy to watch you as you work on this skill. I have to say, you are proud of yourself. Now, let me also say, it is a BIG mess and takes A LOT of time to let you do this. My stain stick has never been used more and I've never had a bigger mess. You are a boy, you are a baby...we have lots of messes :) At your doctor's appt. they told you, you need to gain a little more weight so I think you listened and since then you have eaten like a champ. You weigh 16.15 lbs and you are 28.5 inches long. We go back in a month so see if you've put on any more weight. We are just watching it for now, not a huge deal. 

Another fun thing is you sometimes smell the flowers with me. For example, my first love (blake) brought home tulips for me. I show Parke the sign for flowers, we go over and I first sniff the flowers. He will then lean over (while I hold his hands) and make the sniffing sound. It's funny and super cute. He is taking in everything. If he hears sirens he stops to listen, the dogs barking (he LOVES them btw), etc. I think he will be a pursuer of knowledge like his dad. He hasn't started crawling but is getting a little more interested.

Below are your friends. Two of your friends have waited to meet you for a long time. They are so good to you and will teach you many things. The other little ones are just about your age and I'm sure you will get into much trouble fun with them! It also shows our walls we need to repaint. Not #1 on our to do list.

Finally, you love your dad. He loves you too. Most of the time you say "da-da" to everything. We listen to his music during the day so hopefully you will enjoy his tune's too! He works very hard for us so I can stay home with you. You are his joy Parke, and he is a man you can follow after!

Happy 9months! We love you.