Jack: 9 Months

Sleep

Anytime I talk about this topic in a positive manner, I feel like I need to knock on wood for about 5 minutes.  Jack is doing great with sleeping!  He goes down between 7:30 and 8 and will sleep about 12 hours.  I don't know whether he just hasn't needed the pacifier as much or what but we haven't had to go in for binky retrieval at all lately!  I know he can find it and put it back in his mouth, so that could be what is happening as well.  He also takes 2 naps:  1 at around 10:15 for 2-3 hours, and 1 at around 3:15 for 1.5-2 hours!

Eating

Thankfully, Jack is pretty good about eating!  He has cereal 2-3 times a day, 2-3 jars of baby food a day, and sometimes he has a baby yogurt!  He has tried so many different foods with no issue, so that is good!  We use Earth's Best baby food (or those Plum Organic pouches)...and then I make some too!  Some different foods I have made include cantaloupe, zucchini, avocado, blueberries, banana, and sweet potato.  He has also had all the standard fruits and veggies plus some interesting combos!  Soon, we will try the baby foods with different meats mixed in.  And we are going to start introducing more finger foods - banana, avocado, green beans, pasta, etc.  That should be quite the messy adventure! :)  As for bottles, he usually has 4 bottles (we just recently went from 5 to 4 bottles ... when we added the lunchtime meal) of about 7 ounces each! 

Weight

Jack had his 9 month appointment today and weights 21 pounds, 4 ounces (50th percentile)!

Length

He is 28 inches long (also 50th percentile)!

Size Clothes

He is wearing an array of sizes right now - still some 9 month, 6-12 month, and some just 12 month sizes!  There are a few 9 month things that are too short or too snug, so I have a feeling the 12 month things will be the main portion of his wardrobe before too long.

Size Diapers

Size 3 is working perfectly right now!

Hair color

He has real hair!  And it seems a little darker than Katie's...he seems like he may even have a touch of some red in there too!

Eye color

Those sweet big blue eyes get me every time!

Looking Like

When he smiles, he and Katie look similar, but I feel like he has really started developing his own look the last couple of weeks! 

Nicknames

The Dude, Jackaroni, and Jacky Wacky are still around!  Little Man and Little Buddy have been more popular this month too :) 

Favorite toy

Sophie the Giraffe definitely got a lot of laughs at his 9 month pictures.  He is also loving the walker since he has figured out how to take off in it!  And he still likes the crinkly noise (he has a book and a star that do that).  The exersaucer is always a favorite.  And he loves to swing out on the swingset.

Firsts

While we have been quite busy lately, everything has been pretty standard!  Jack has loved his walker, but we figured out that it can be lowered, so he now actually uses it for its intended purpose!  And MAN does he take off!  He is so efficient in tight spaces and takes turns with ease!  He has figured out that if he gains some momentum, he can run into the office doors to open them!  He also has discovered the sun room with all of Katie's toys.  To say she is less than thrilled about that is an understatement!  

Also, he did have his first finger foods this month (puffs, yogurt melts, and Cheerios)!  He is more entertained by them but does manage to get some in his mouth from time to time.

Milestones

Based on his 9 month appointment, he is right on track!  He responds to his name, he has at least one word, he can sit independently, he is scooting/crawling/rolling everywhere, he is eating solid foods, he does the pincer grasp with puffs/Cheerios/yogurt melts, he babbles, he attempts to clap his hands...he is right on track!  He hasn't taken off crawling just yet - it really could be any second now (I'm not wanting to rush that though because I know life is never the same once mobility is achieved)!  And he hasn't pulled up in the crib yet - again, I'm OK with that.  He sleeps in a sleep sack, so that could be part of the reason.

Talking/Words/Sounds

It seems that he makes more noise daily!  He says "mamama" for me, "dadada" for Brad, and "bababa" just because he can :)  I need to pay closer attention to this - I swear he says "dadada" for Sadie (meaning "dog")...we always say dog when she is nearby.  Could be a coincidence, but I prefer to think he is brilliant :)  He loves to hear himself make noise too - he will just grunt or growl or squeal and looks so proud of himself!

Anything else?

The best way to start the day is going into Jack's room to get him up - that great big grin, arms reaching for me, and the biggest squeezy hug ever once I have picked him up.  That is his snuggliest time of day and I just relish every moment!  He has also gotten extremely squirmy when you try to hold him!  He is still the best baby ever - for real.  I know something is up when he cries and is fussy (which was the case this month).  He had a cold and an ear infection a couple weeks ago and just wanted to be held and sleep in our arms.  He didn't want to eat and was just so sad!  We did learn that he is not a fan of amoxcillin...we are finishing it up in the next couple of days and he fights it every time it is time to take it!  Also, we ate dinner out last week and had a cute server...Jack was in the highchair and every single time she would come over, he was grabbing her apron or her belt or her butt!  Oh my...we all got a good laugh for sure!

My favorites from his 9 month pics with Shutterbelle Photography!