9 Months

Lots of changes this past month. James has become extremely mobile. He wants to be moving all of the time! In the shower, on our lap, in the car seat etc. My pediatrician said he is going to be quite the mover... Great. I think he must get that from me. I tend to be a bit wiggly and have a hard time sitting through a movie. It drives Haws crazy.He will sit still once in a while and is usually very good at restaurants. He will sit and eat and just observe all of the things going on around him.  We are trying to take advantage of this while we can. Soon it won't be so easy.
Stats at his 9 month well visit:
18 lbs (15%) 28 3/4 inches (70%)
He is a tall and lean boy! The doc said not to be worried about the lack or weight gain, but of course I am a little concerned. He had a cold and is moving a lot more now, but I still want to try to get his weight up a little.

So here is what James is doing at 9 months:

• Mastering the army crawl. He uses his legs more, but is not up on all fours yet. 
• Loves opening and closing doors and drawers. This makes me nervous. High potential for getting little fingers caught in there.
• Claps his hands
• Waves "hi" or "bye". Or just waves when the mood strikes.
• Has babbling conversations with stuffed animals and other babies.
• Loves to play the "drop it" game. 
• He is outgoing with other babies. He gets very excited when he sees another little person. He will reach out to them and try to touch them. It is really cute.
• He LOVES dogs. He pants like a dog and kicks his legs around when he sees one.
• Not a big finger food eater, but loves his puffs!
• Discovered his ears.

Some things that I am not that excited about:

• Wants to be on the move constantly. Church is a lot more work these days.
• Is practicing his control over what he eats. He is pretty good at eating most baby foods, but gets over it half way through. This is frustrating. I would normally just see that as a sign he is done/full... but the fact he hasn't gained any weight in the last month makes me more determined to get him to eat, but I can't force him!
• He wants to move even when he is eating. Again, another challenge with the eating.
• He is "voicing" his likes and dislikes more. He is getting pretty good at the whine.

Striking a pose. (or playing with his ears)

 Lots of drools. But no teeth.