Fetch

You have a few favorite toys.


There are two Red Sox dice (that used to be hanging from my rear-view window) that you really seem to enjoy right now.

So much so, that once you pick one up and chew on it for a bit, you like to throw it and play fetch.

With yourself.

And the two dice, of course.

The path of *most* resistance

I can't believe you're almost 10 months old! (And I can't believe I haven't posted anything in the last 3 and a half weeks). Actually, since typing that statement, I CAN believe I haven't posted anything since you started crawling (and standing and falling). Because, you LOVE the computer -so it has to stay closed when you're up. Otherwise I'd have no idea how to fix what you'd break in a matter of smacks on the keyboard.

What a month you've had. Anyone who comes over or see's you has to add the remark, "He just doesn't stop moving, does he?!" No, no he doesn't. EVER! If you're awake -even if you're still in your crib, you're moving! I can't remember if I mentioned that the same day you learned to crawl, you learned to pull yourself up. And, you've never looked back! You pull up on EVERYTHING -including walls and moving objects.

I've lost count of the bumps and scrapes you've got in the last few weeks. We've tried a lot of different things to keep you from any serious damage, but you've managed to come pretty close. The most dangerous spots around the house is the TV stand and the upstairs bathroom. You love standing while holding on to the tub, and that has made for some bumps. And the TV stand? Man, that thing has got you pretty good quite a few times. I'm surprised that you haven't done more damage with the fireplace, but those have been fairly minor, probably thanks to some oversized pillows that are now around it.

You are getting more stable while standing, and will even let go of what you're holding for a brief second or two. You've also started 'cruising' around from furniture piece to furniture piece a little bit too. To tell you the honest truth, I'm not really encouraging walking, but you don't seem all that interested when we do try to help you. Maybe in another few weeks (or months) as you become more steady.

The other week when I was giving piano lessons (the only time you're really outside your gate) I turned back just in time for you to reach the second step on the stairs. That was interesting. I guess this week we'll have to block that area off somehow. You're only mildly interested in the stairs when we put you there -unless it's lunging yourself DOWN the stairs to get your dad when he opens the door to the basement.

You've started waving hi and bye to people, and you are sort of clapping on your own. You're not quite making contact, but you're getting the motion down. You chatter almost constantly when you're in a good mood.

The last day or two you have NOT been in a good mood because of another tooth coming in. They seem to come in pairs, and the first of the new batch (on the top) showed up about a week and a half ago, and this second one will probably break through today or tomorrow, I can actually see it right under the gum. Funny thing is, it's not the front two teeth. I'm pretty sure the first one was your eye tooth (so you sort of looked like a vampire) and I'm guessing this one is the one right next to it. It's been a rough couple of days for you.

It's also been a nice month of no vacations -which has been good for you I think. We're headed to Jackson Hole in another week, so I hope you do well there. We'll be inside, so it shouldn't be too bad.

You're still sleeping really well, although you like to scream yourself to sleep on occasion again. It seems to be getting better. You also had your hair cut. It was getting pretty close to a mullet in the back, and really long around your ears. Your dad did it, and although there's a few patches that probably need to be fixed you look very handsome with your new look.

We don't have another doctors appointment scheduled until your birthday, but my estimates put you between 21 and 22 pounds. Now that you're so mobile (an understatement) I think the weight gain has slowed a bit, so hopefully you'll be able to stay in your current car seat until your birthday.

You're so happy most of the time. You have some rather strange habits -you love hitting your head when you're sitting against it. You'll sit down right next to a wall, gate, chair, your crib, your mom, and bang your head backwards. Kind of funny, especially when you hit a little harder than you expect and startle yourself. We gave you a lemon the other day, and although you didn't love it, you didn't seem to hate it and pull crazy faces like most kids do. You probably get that from me. I loved lemons when I was younger.

As soon as you started crawling I gave you some snacks for the first time. Oh boy - you LOVE your snacks. It's funny that kids figure that one out so fast. You know the container that they come in and the one I put them in, and you can't get enough. It's fun to watch you try to pick them up with your fingers and then shove your whole hand in your mouth trying to eat it. I've also been feeding you a lot more 'adult' food ground up. In fact, you seem to enjoy anything that is fed with a fork and off of your dad's or my plate. I think your favorite is Shepard's Pie, which you probably get from your dad.

I think that's about it. I haven't taken a whole lot of pictures in the last couple of weeks, but I'm sure that will change in the coming weeks, so if there's not a lot to go with this post, there will be plenty more soon enough.

9 month update (Even more *updated*)

I was holding off on the 9 month stats to see if you'd crawl by your actual 9th month -and you did!

We went to the doctor one week before the 9 month mark and here are your stats:

Height: 28.5 in (59th percentile)
Weight: 20 lbs 10 oz (56th percentile)
Head circumference: ? but it's in the 82nd percentile.


I haven't been able to take pictures of crawling (can you even do that) but I'll try. For the blog, I have the video, but I'm already thinking about your eventual book, so pictures are a must. You 'crawled' yesterday, although it's a bit of a hop/jump with a lot of leg movement. So far, you won't take more than 2 crawl-jumps, but you've finally figured out you can get places without me, and you're excited. The other thing you figured out yesterday was to get to a sitting position from your tummy, a great plus.

*I guess we can add one MORE thing to your list of 'party tricks' -I mean milestones. You stood up this afternoon on one of your baby toys -all by yourself! I have a feeling crawling isn't going to last long.*



In the last week or two you've figured out the 'm' sound. You've been doing that da-da sound for months, and now you will make the 'mom' sound -but only when you're upset and frustrated. Thanks a lot, kiddo!



My ankle was out of commission for a few weeks, but now it's better and we're back to our morning walks almost every morning. You enjoy walks, but I'm always trying to stretch your awake time, so by the end of it you're ready to be home again.


Speaking of naps, you're still taking 3 a day. Which is fine, it just makes it hard to get out and do anything. You're trying to wake up earlier and earlier in the morning too, but I don't get you out of bed until at least 6 am.


You still just have the two bottom teeth, but you're a champion eater! Now that you're crawling, I think we'll try some finger foods, which would be pretty new for you. Your dad is scared to death of choking, so we might have to start that out when he's not around.


Oh, I sort of cut your hair. You have this long bit in the back and a few really long strands in the front that was starting to resemble a comb-over. So, I just cut those down a little. No pictures though, your dad didn't want to help, so it was a little difficult to maneuver the scissors AND a camera.

You have a new favorite past time -playing the piano. You LOVE playing and will usually 'sing' along too!

We have movement!!

Here's a quick video...

We have movement! from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

Another month already?

I can't believe that it's been a month since I posted last. We're going in for your 9 month check-up later this week (a week before you turn 9 months) so I'm sure I'll have more to add later.

Not much has changed in the last few weeks. You're still not crawling, but I think you REALLY want to. You roll, pivot, and lunge -but no crawling yet.

We went swimming at a community pool, which you loved. You spent another night at Grandma Hardcastle's house and some time with Grandma and Grandpa Lafeen and Mimi and Papa -all in the same weekend!

You're too busy to drink a lot of your bottles during the day, but you sure like your food. You've started eating teething biscuits (much to the dismay of your dad) every once in a while. You never end up eating a lot of them, but you think it's fun to hold it and suck on it.