Bennett at 9 Months

This little guy is now three-quarters of a year old!

At his nine month check-up he weighed in at 20 pounds (57th percentile) and 27.5 inches (17th percentile).  His head is some measurement I have forgotten, but it's large and 90th percentile (which surprises no one who has met him).  The doctor says the height might be a bit off - or perhaps he's turning out to be a bit shrimpy.

At our 6 month appointment Bennett was refusing solids, and now he is an eating machine.  It's been so fun to feed him macaroni and cheese and shaking beef lately.  He usually is good about trying new things, though has had a few occasions of tears after we feed him something too spicy.  Sorry, buddy!

It's such a blessing to have his big sister as a play mate.  He lights up and kicks his little legs like crazy when he sees her.  Recently he has decided she is worthy of belly laughs when she jumps from her lounge chair.  It's the best thing to watch them laugh together.

He's not exactly mobile at the moment, but he isn't stationary either.  He is lunging for everything, whether he's sitting on the ground or in my arms.  Don't even consider holding a drink with a straw anywhere near his grasp.

He rolls around a bit and can scoot towards really enticing objects.

His favorite toys are plastic straws, silicon spoons, Sophie the giraffe, and board books.

He is really vocalizing a lot lately.  Lots of mas, bas, and yas.  He, of course, does plenty of screeching when something is really worthy.  

He's getting a little heavy for the carrier, but we still use it a lot.  He loves to be forward-facing and we never use it any other way.  He is content in the stroller for walks, especially if we stop by the bagel store for a nibble.

Like any little boy, I suppose, he has taken to digging his hands in any dirt he can find.  If he's placed on a blanket he will find the edge and dig his little finger nails in there was much as he can get away with.  A taste of what's to come, I suppose.

He is down to two naps now.  One is usually from 9-10 and the other is usually 1-3.  It frees up our late afternoons now, which is convenient because we can all head to the park or at least walk to Starbucks in the evening.  

He is down to four nursings each day, and when he gets a bottle he is less interested in them than he used to be.  He takes 6 oz. each feeding instead of 8 oz.  This guy loves his "real" food, thank you very much, and would like a pouch with a red cap pronto.

We may be falling more and more in love with this little guy with each passing day.  He's finding his personality and becoming himself, which is a wonder to see.

Happy 9 months, B!  Life is better with you in it.