9 Months!

 On Friday we visited the pediatrician for the 9 month well-baby visit. J and I had guesses as to how big she would be and both of us were way wrong... again. 

Weight:  20lb 7.3oz (80th percentile)
Height/Length: 29in (90th percentile)
Head Circumference: 46cm (90th percentile)

We knew she would be at the top of the charts for her age, but she is one chunky monkey. And we love it. I always joke that she has a pumpkin head and apparently it's true, but it's also true that she gets it from her mama!

THIS MONTH YOUR BABY MAY:

• respond to simple requests (such as "Give Mommy the toy.") I'm pretty sure she understands these simple requests, but she sure doesn't do them!
• use consonants as she begins saying "mama" or "dada" She loves to say dada even when I ask her to say mama.
• learn and say one other word Sometimes I think she is purposely saying hi and bye when she waves, but then she says it over and over without waving, so I'm not really sure.
• pivot in a circle as her coordination continues to develop and her muscles strengthen I didn't realize this was a big milestone but she has been doing this since about 7 months.
• feed herself, although she may be a bit messy She has always fed herself since that is the main concept in Baby-led Weaning. It's has been -- and likely will continue to be -- quite messy.
• manipulate tiny objects, such as veggie dices and cereal, between her thumb and forefinger She has an excellent pincer grasp. She can pick up things as small as rice!
• drop toys on purpose to watch them fall and then look for them—a sign that your baby is curious about how she can affect the objects around her She loves to drop food and watch the dog run to and eat it. It's become quite a game in our house.
• develop the instinct to bounce to music She is a moving, grooving machine. She loves to shake her tiny, fluffy booty!
• point and poke with her index finger as a sign of her growing curiosity She has an affinity for putting her fingers in my mouth and touching my teeth. It's pretty funny. It's almost like she's wondering why I have so many and she only has two.