Annalee Estelle | Nine Month Update

Dear Annalee, 

Things have really changed now that you are on the move! You love crawling, exploring and climbing. We dropped the mattress in your crib after watching you pull yourself up and try to jump out. You think juggling is hilarious. You've started mimicking us when we wave or hold up our arms and love to clap. You took a tumble on Feb 27 and had your first bloody nose. Scared us to death, but you were just fine. You love to stand, pull up, and move from one thing to another while standing and can really get going while crawling. You love to jump in your doorway jumper, and the stand alone jumper at mi-mi's. You do not like to be held or kept by anyone but your momma, daddy or mi-mi. Every sitter we have you just cry until you fall asleep. We went out once, and you cried for an hour before just calling asleep. The only other sitter came after you went to bed, so you didn't know momma wasn't here. We got you your own booster seat at the bar and you love it. Such a big girl at the table now. Changing clothes has gotten interesting, so we usually change you on the floor so you don't jump off the changing pad. You have always loved to play in the bathtub, until recently. Your toes hit the water and you immediately start crying. We started trying showers, and you love those! You've started patting us on the arm or shoulder when we carry you around. It's so cute. We have loved watching you learn and grow this month. You are so happy and a very adventurous little girl. 

Nine Month Highlights:

• 19 lbs, 6oz., 28.5 inches, 19 in head circumference, bright blue eyes and blond hair that is really starting to fill in. 
• Wearing 9 or 6-12 month clothing and 9 month pajamas \\ Pampers size 3 diapers
• Nicknames: Anna Banana \\ Bananas \\ Sweet Pea \\ Little Bit \\ Pumpkin
• Tricks: You started trying to crawl on Feb. 1, by Valentine's Day you had really got the hang of it and were on the move. \\ You are pulling up on things and starting to stand on your own. \\ Lots of babbling.... dadada.... bababa. \\ You have a funny little wave where you put your hand up to your chin like The Little Rascals secret hand shake.
• Favorite toys: doorway jumper \\ v-tech walker \\ books \\ sassy rattle \\ exersaucer \\ blocks \\ Baby Einestine \\ TV remote... Dad's books, phones, computers or anything that isn't a toy. You love to use your spoons at a drumstick as well. 
• Favorite books: Kiss the Frog and Oh! Baby Go Baby!
• Food: Nursing is still going really well, and you still eat every 2.5 hours. During the day we send 3, 4 oz. bottles and sometimes I am able to swing by and feed you. You also love real foods, eating 4oz twice a day. You love rice cakes, oatmeal, sweet potatoes and prunes. Rice cereal and peas are a close second, followed by green beans, apples, pears and bananas. You hate carrots, chickpeas w/blueberries (but you like blueberries by themselves) and cottage cheese. 
• You love water, but are still having trouble getting the hang of a sippy cup on your own.
• Trips: Dad had lots of trips for work this month, so we spent a lot of time at home.
• Holidays: We celebrated your first Mardi Gras with a small celebration here in town. \\ We also celebrated Valentine's Day for about a week, since our Valentine was traveling for the actual day this year. You made valentine's at Mi-Mi's for all your friends. \\ We can't forget your first Super Bowl, cheering on Cam the Man.
• We dropped the mattress in your crib on Feb. 15.
• You love to drink water, but still can't hold the sippy cup on your own. You're trying! 
  Your first tooth popped through on your nine month birthday. The bottom front right. You were grunting a lot being fussy, waking up at 5:30 a.m. for a couple days in a row and had several soiled pampers. Otherwise, you were pretty happy. 
• You have started going to bed around 7/8pm and wake up around 6am. It's certainly an adjustment for us, but you are so happy with rest. 

Nine Month Favorites {Items We Couldn't Live Without}:

Doorway jumper \\ Sassy Rattle \\ Delux Booster Seat \\ Wubbanubs \\ humidifier \\ silicone bibs \\ tethers \\ taggy blanket \\ spiral activity toy \\ v-tech walker \\ Munchkin soft-tip spoons \\ sippy cup \\ Sophie \\ V-Tech walker \\ fuzzy hats and thick blankets \\ Baby Einstein Take Along Musical Toy 

Pictures from this month:

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight