9 Months

Oh my stinky baby. Happy Birthday - you're 9 months old today! Every month on the 23th we celebrate a little, and I usually buy you a new different food, and of course a toy or some other special item. It always makes me a bit happy and a bit sad that you're getting older.

You had a nine-month checkup today. Everything was great, as usual. You're in the 90th percentile of weight and height. That's not surprising, but what was surprising is that they drew your blood! I was not expecting this, but your Doc explained to me it is easier to draw the blood now then wait for the 12 month visit when you'll be getting multiple shots. They don't want to stick you too many times in one visit!

After today, I'm not sure that'd have been a problem for you. You were SO GOOD during the blood draw! I was shocked, and the phlebotomist was even impressed. She had a hard time finding the right spot to insert the needle, and had to try both arms to get what she needed for the test. You didn't cry! Even after she did the first arm and you knew what you were in for, the 2nd arm was no problem either. Just a lil wimper, but no squirming or any crying. I'm so proud of you. You even said "b-bye" when I asked you to waive bye to her. She gave you a pink Hello Kitty bandaid (which happened to match your pink & green striped polo dress) and a couple of stickers.

One thing I thought was unusual that your Doc said was that since you're now over 20 pounds, we can face your carseat forward now. It is my understanding that the carseat guidelines are rear-facing for infants until they are 20 pounds AND one-year old, not OR. Even tho I've already bought you 2 toddler car seats (one is pink, one is green, big shock) you still fit well in your infant seat, so I'm keeping you in that unless we go on another long trip. It weighs 9 pounds itself, so carting you around gets quite difficult when we have to go inside the post office or bank, or other places we don't use a stroller. I can't believe you are getting so big so fast. Dad says on your first birthday, you should just stop growing and you can be our lil baby forever. I kind of agree, I like your lil babiness, but I know there is much more fun to come with the stages ahead.