Dear Evie,
Nine months old and fast approaching ten. At least I’m consistent with the belated monthly posts!
It has become increasingly more difficult to entertain three children in three very different phases of life. You are no longer content to sit through basketball practices and gymnastics classes. When we pick up the big kids at preschool, you fuss if I don’t take you out of the car seat carrier. You hate being quarantined to the pack’n’play, even if it’s just for a minute while I use the bathroom. You try to climb out of the bathtub and into bins of toys. You are not capable of staying in one spot for longer than two seconds. You can climb the steps at a scary fast speed and move from Nora’s “safe” room to Sam’s “off limits” room in the blink of an eye. You just want to explore every single thing that you can get your chubby little hands on!
You crawl and climb and attempt to cruise from one surface to another. You throw balls, push train cars, spin princesses in their castle, and bang wooden puzzle pieces. You take blocks out of boxes and laundry out of the basket. You pat your belly, clap your hands, throw your arms in the air, and give slobbery kisses. You haven’t yet picked up on baby sign language, but you definitely know the sign for “milk” and respond with whines while grabbing my shirt.
You have become more selective at meal time. You always go for the fruit first — strawberries, cantaloupe, pears — then scream and bang your tray in request for more. But I’ve learned your tricks, little lady, and so I now always serve meats and veggies first — chicken, ground turkey, carrots, potatoes, broccoli. You also recently discovered the magic of sugar. I gave you a teeny tiny taste of vanilla ice cream, and you licked your lips for about five minutes after. Then, just the other night, you climbed from my lap and onto the table in pursuit of Nora’s vanilla cream cookie sandwich. You were so persistent that I rewarded you with a piece.
You easily figured out how to suck purees from a pouch, which makes travel snacks much easier. You also had no problem drinking half my green smoothie from a big straw on your first attempt. Now I can’t make one without sharing it with you.
You still nurse between 4-6 times per day. And I treasure that quiet time together — even if it comes in the middle of the night, which it sometimes still does.
Stranger danger is at its peak. Yes, you love your momma something fierce. You accompanied Sam and Nora to preschool while I attended a brief teacher conference in the room next door. And I could hear you crying for almost the entire 15 minutes. Then, while in Dover for Baby Cashman’s gender reveal party, you gave a pathetic pouting face to every person who tried to hold you. Lower lip trembling, tears welling. Until Uncle Jeff whisked you out of the living room and managed to get you to sleep in his arms. Then you woke up in Great Grammy’s arms. And I managed to stay out of your sight for a solid hour before you spotted me and cried for me and lunged at me with all your weight.
You, will, however, reach for Daddy when he comes home from work, and I think it’s one of the highlights of his day.
Sam and Nora still smother you with love. In fact, I have to keep a close watch on big sister because she has a tendency to give you pretty tight neck squeezes. And Sam has recently discovered that he can pick you up and carry you across the room, which you both think is hilarious. You also say “buh buh” now, and Sam encourages it at every opportunity.
Nobody makes you laugh like your siblings — or cry. And that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be, right?
At your 9-month well visit last week, you weighed 17 pounds 5 ounces and measured 27 inches long. You are right in between the sizes of Sam and Nora at this age. You are wearing all 9-month clothing, and I’ve purchased both 12-month and 18-month clothing for summertime.
And how is it possible that I’ve already booked a location for your first birthday party?!
We’re still struggling a bit in the sleep department. Some nights you sleep from 7pm until 5am. Others you wake up at 2:30am and will scream for over an hour until I give in and nurse you back to sleep. Yes, you are still in our room. And, yes, I’m sure that is the problem. But I just haven’t yet figured out how to move you in with Nora without disrupting her sleep, too. I know I just need to bite the bullet and make the move. We’ll all be better off in the end. Hopefully that will be an update for next month!
I love the way you grab my thumb while I balance you on my hip. And how your toes wrap around the edge of your high chair tray while you’re eating.
Sam asked, “Why does she look at you like that when she eats?” And I replied, “Because she loves me.” And I love you just as much, sweet girl.