9 Months

My dear Kaylee ~

9 months! Can you believe how quickly the time has gone? In just three short months, we will be celebrating your first birthday!!! It will be here before we know it.

You have been quite a busy girl this month. You are still crawling flat on your belly, but you've gotten so much quicker! If one of us go into the kitchen without you, you are right on our heels and get so so mad when you encounter the baby gate. How dare we block you from going wherever you please!? You've also figured out how to go from your belly back up to sitting, and you're very proud of this achievement. It makes it much easier for you to play with your toys and torment the animals.

Speaking of sitting up...this month we caught you sitting and standing up in your crib. !!! We had to lower your mattress and take away your bumpers. The first night without the bumpers was rough...you woke up 3 times from hitting your little head on the crib rails. Luckily, though, it didn't bother you too much and you went back to sleep each time. I absolutely adore walking in your room in the morning to find you sitting up and smiling at me. That is the best way to start a day, no doubt.

You are still eating all the baby food that we'll feed you, but we've also started to give you some real food as well. You love little pieces of banana but hated hard boiled eggs. You are getting so good at picking up your puffs and feeding yourself. You're also holding your own bottle from time to time. I know that you like doing it, but I still like to snuggle you and feed you myself. I can't let you grow up too quickly!!!

I was thrilled beyond words the other day when you finally said, "Mamamamama". I've been hearing constant "ba"s and "da"s for so long...I wanted to cry just thinking that some day soon you will look straight into my eyes and call me Momma. I can't think of anything else that will make me happier.

Every day with you brings something new and exciting. Daddy and I are so proud to be your parents and we love you so so much.

Your Mommy

Where Did She Go?

Once upon a time there was a little girl that was still. At first, she could only lay in one place...on the floor, in the bed, on your chest...she would lay there and look adorable. You could give her toys or talk to her and she would play and talk to you.

Soon enough, this little girl learned to sit. Even though she was now upright, she was mostly still. Playing and talking were a bit more interesting for the girl from this new perspective. When pictures were taken, she would sit and smile, charmingly, into the camera.

Before long, this girl learned to crawl. The days of stillness were over. Anything on the ground belonged to her. Household pets ran in fear of her grasping hands. Parents erected gates to block her path. Pictures were blurry, life was never the same.