The Ninth Month

It's incredible that Reid is already three fourths of the way to his first birthday. I took him for his nine month check-up today where they weighed him at 24 lbs 11.1 oz (90th percentile) and measured him at 29.33" long (80-85th percentile). I don't have the exact measurements, but the doctor said he was also in the 75th percentile for head circumference. He's growing!

We love Dr. Dunn.

This month we've made a little bit of progress in the eating department. While he is still a "Mommy milk" lovin' boy, we've tried lots of new foods recently. Not only did we add quite a few baby foods to the list, Reid also has sampled some solids like puffs (6/27) and Cheerios (6/28). Actually, he prefers to eat "real" food and often quits eating his baby food after only four or five bites, tightening his lips together stubbornly so we can't get any more in there unless we trick him by making him giggle or something. Dr. Dunn told us today that it's okay to just move on to solids if he wants. Though I feared he wasn't ready since he only has two teeth (the second one popped through around June 18th), she reassured me that babies can gum all kinds of stuff, even chicken. So, it looks like more variety will be added soon to his previously limited diet.

Those puffs are tricky to get a hold of.

He did it though!

He puts anything in his mouth and trying new tasty things definitely is a treat. He couldn't eat this apple of course, but he sure did love trying. You'll get there, Buddy!

On another note, his mobility is increasing by leaps and bounds. He crawls and CLIMBS like a champ around the house. Anything Reid can grab a hold of to hoist himself up on his feet he goes for and up he goes.

He began cruising along the couch right after he turned eight months old and now really has the hang of it. I'm actually really surprised that he didn't start walking already because he's making such fast progress, but there are still some balance and coordination skills to work out. Practice makes perfect. Maybe next month?

He may look sweet and innocent, but nothing is safe these days. Whether I'm trying to keep him from bumping his mouth on the TV stand, attempting to keep the Lincoln Logs out of his mouth, or hurrying to pick up the small toys and papers the older two leave laying about before he gets them, there aren't very many dull moments. It is a full time job just keeping this busy boy safe since he's forgotten he's a baby and thinks he's a toddler.

He's not satisfied sitting in his saucer or jumper any more because he wants to be on the go. On the plus side though, he can entertain himself better in a room full of toys as he moves around to get everything instead of fussing for a new toy. I am also excited about this pre-walking development since it means my shoulder and back will not suffer as much from having to lug this almost twenty-five pounder around all the time.

Reid is a pretty happy baby most of the time, but he does have some dislikes too that he's very good at voicing loudly. One of those is when his siblings or parents take something away from him that he wants, and another is when he has to go in the carseat. Some trips are better than others, but overall, Reid would prefer not to have to be strapped into that thing. Most the time the fussing is short lived once we get going, but the one thing that really seems to help make it all better when he really gets going is to let him play with a water bottle. I'm not sure why that's so entertaining, but if he's happy we're happy.

Aside from water bottles, something else that really makes Reid happy is sneezing. Yep, sneezing. One day he started cracking up when something tickled my nose and caused a loud ACHOOO! He got so tickled over it that I kept doing it just to hear his precious little laugh. See for yourself: 

Can you wait a month for more updates and adorable pics of this sweet face? I'm so glad I get to spend everyday with him.