Bella - 9 months

Weight - 16 pounds (5th percentile)

Length - 26 3/4 inches (17th percentile)

Head - 45 centimeters (74th percentile)

Clothes: 9 months

Diapers: Size 3

Health:
This month you got a double ear infection, which resulted in your first round of antibiotics.  You were pretty miserable until we got the medicine in your system.  It's not fun seeing you sick!    We also had your 9 month well check with Dr. Fink.  You got a good report, along with your next round of shots.  We are scheduled to go back in a month to double check your weight. You've always been on the smaller side and Dr. Fink didn't seem concerned since you were just getting over being sick. Hopefully, next month I will be able to report your weight is back up to normal.

Diet:
You still love momma's milk and baby food, although I think you would snack on Puffs for every meal if I let you!  You prefer fruits and the orange veggies - sweet potatoes, squash, carrots.  I usually have to sneak in green veggies - isn't it a little early to be picky?!?   We are currently working on the sippy cup and I'm hoping you get the hang of it soon so we can forever say goodbye to the bottle that you never seemed to like anyways!

Sleep:
Not much has changed here, you continue to be a pretty predictable sleeper.  You wake up around 5am for a quick snack and then go back to sleep until 7:30.  Your morning nap is usually on the go with your afternoon nap being about 2 hours in your crib.  Bedtime is around 7:30 every night.

Likes:

Playing, being around people, and being outside are your favorite things.  You love the beach, the park, the zoo, and wherever else we go.  You love to be close to familiar faces and are 100% a momma's girl.  You have taken a new interest in Cooper, you laugh at him and pet him, but also make the funniest faces at him like you're not too sure what to think about that large animal.  Bath time is one of your favorite parts of the day, you kick and splash the entire time and cry the second it's time to get out.

Dislikes:

When mom leaves the room, getting out of the bath tub,  and really long car rides.  We drove to Ohio and it was 10+ hours and you were not a fan!

"I'm thinking when I get older a 1K diamond would fit perfectly!"

A little behind the scenes of our monthly photo shoots

Milestones: 
-Your first tooth is on it's way!
-No crawling - but you can roll and reach to get whatever you want.
-We celebrated your 1st Mother's Day in the Outer Banks.  You love the beach, eating sand is your favorite part!
-You babble, squeal, and scream all day long.  If only we knew what you were saying?!?
-Separation anxiety is in full force.  You cry and give me the lip when I drop you off at the Stay and Play, no worries though you are all smiles when I pick you up.

Personality:
I cannot believe we are only 3 short months away from your FIRST birthday.  We really hit the jackpot with our beautiful Bella, you are the sweetest and happiest little girl.  You just go with the flow and are so easy to please (which is very different from your high maintenance, strong-willed big sister!)  I like how the two of you balance each other out and are already so obsessed with each other.  We were in Ohio at your Aunt Kristen's graduation and some people at the party were wanting to talk to and hold you, but your sister came over and quickly yelled "That's my sister Bella!" and you replied with a smirk like you were saying "Yes I am!"  It was so cute how she is already looking out for you!

Visitors:   

We took the trip up to Ohio for Aunt Kristen's Graduation this month.

Life Lately

It's been about a MONTH since my last post - and wow where does time go?  We have been super busy over here between being on the road, my birthday and Mother's Day, and just life with a 9 month old and 2 year old in general.  We are in the middle of Eric's busy graduation season and he is now full swing in real estate with a few houses on the market, so add in his 12 hour work days and you can begin to see why I haven't posted in a while.  Yes, life is busy - but life is good.

Let's start with the celebrations.  There's been a lot to celebrate these days.  We started with a surprise trip to the Outer Banks for my 30th birthday and Mother's Day weekend.  We had the perfect family getaway and we even got to relax a little this time around.  Traveling with 2 little ones isn't easy, but I feel like I'm slowly becoming an expert.  Sleep or no sleep though, making memories is worth it!  We ate at some of our go-to restaurants and even tried out some new ones, spent a morning walking around Manteo, which is where our wedding reception was (almost) 4 years ago, and enjoyed the sun and sand on the beach.  We came home just in time for Addie and Eric to make me a birthday cake and give me my gift of a clean house!  I seriously cannot contain my excitement of having help cleaning my house twice a month, probably one of my favorite gifts ever!

Our next celebration was in good old Miami of Ohio.  Aunt "T" aka Kristen graduated and we took the (long) 10 1/2 hour trip up to Ohio to help her celebrate.  The girls did great given the lack of naps, late bedtimes followed by early mornings.  They did great and we had so much fun "partying" at T's house as Addie liked to say, but we were all exhausted at the end of it.  Congratulations Kristen. we wouldn't travel that far for just anyone!

Finally, between all of the rain we've had these days and packing, repacking and traveling, we actually have been able to enjoy some nice days at home.  Spring is in the AIR (once every 10 days or so) but this crew soaks up every second of sun and warm weather when we get the chance.  Some of our favorite things to do are taking trips to the zoo, picnics and playing at the park, hanging out with our buddies, or just about anything else we can find to do outside.  

And with all that said, I will finish this post the same way I started it.  Life is busy, but life is good.  I am loving every second of staying home with my two little girls and we are officially ready for some summer time fun!  Bring on the beach, ice cream, and hot summer days :)