9 months! (And 9 days)

My sweet Cillian,

You are now 9 months old! Last week was your actual 9 month birthday, and I had planned to write up your little message after dinner, but then Daddy had his little accident and we ended up in Emerg.  It was somewhat special that the hospital we ended up going to was the hospital you were born in....

This month has you on the move and you are FAST.  We have to practically run to catch up with you, and you are constantly surprising us with the things you can reach.  Just today I put your plate of food on the table at a distance I thought was out of your reach, but the plate was quickly snatched and almost turned upside down.  This old mommy needs to get a little smarter.

You surprised yourself last month by standing up, but this month your preferred view is from two feet planted firmly on the ground, one hand holding on to a couch or stool or chair leg, while the other hand waves an object in the air.  It's pretty adorable that you always bring an object on your adventures, especially when you manage to keep it with you through multiple rooms.  Daddy and I find it pretty cute when you crawl into the kitchen while one of us is cooking and peek around the corner at us before crawling to the drawers so you can pull yourself up.  We also love that you ask for help by holding out your hand to us, so we can rescue you down to a safe seated position when you've gotten yourself into a particularly tricky situation.

Giving kisses to Mommy, or to Daddy over the phone, makes us feel pretty special.  Today you even gave us short cuddles when you weren't tired.  Being a busy boy leaves no time for hugs and cuddles.

Your likes: You love your stacking cups, and never grow tired of smashing down towers, or banging two cups together.  You still love Sophie the giraffe best of all.  Bath time is always fun, and we have brought you into Aunt Jenny and Uncle Mark's pool with cousin Ben a few times and you love it. You still love the swings.  You have become a great little eater these past couple weeks, and scarf down everything put in front of you. I think you have a hollow leg, because you still nurse so much and I'm not sure where all that milk and food are going.  Possibly to your head, since it's in the 95% in growth.....

Your dislikes: You are the happiest little boy, but lately you are starting to protest when things are taken away from you before you are done with them.  Bath toys and the TV remote are two things that cause tears when they are taken from you.  You don't like being put into a crib or playpen when mommy needs to do silly things like using the bathroom, or preparing herself a meal, and you tend to stand up and holler the entire time you are confined.

Thank you for being the sweetest, kindest, little boy around.

xoxox

Mommy