9 Months...

This has been a big month. So much has happened. So much is about to happen.

This little cheeky monkey is now crawling...slowly...but with great purpose. I think the last month has brought the most changes for Lily. She has just blossomed! She was always pretty good with her gross motor skills, but in the last 30 days Lily has really figured out all of the fun and nifty things her hands can do. We've always joked about how much Lily loved her hands...she would spend HOURS staring at them, moving her fingers, turning them over, you name it. She was also extremely interested in anyone else's hands, especially if they had pretty rings on them. She is such a girl! But, she was always a little slower than the boys at picking up things and manipulating toys. Not anymore. She figured out all of the things she could pull, grab, and maul...namely my hair. She's even picking up small pieces of food and putting it in her mouth just as good as the boys, maybe better.

She is smily, happy, and a joy to be around. She has the flirtiest little laugh which just draws you to her. She turns it on for the camera. When you point it at her...she always gives you the best grins! In fact, it just seems like she is always smiling.

She was the first to mimick. She can shakes her head "yes" and "no" when (most of the time), but will ALWAYS do it when you go in to pick her up out of her crib! She's usually on her tummy...looks up at you over the rail...and gives you a big grin...and shakes her head up and down. So adorable. She also snorts with her nose and has waved a few times. And I SWEAR...when you say "Lily's a good girl", it sounds like she says "good girl" right back at you. She obviously agrees.

She's a Daddy's girl and lights up when he comes in the room. She's eating like a champ and has begun some pieces of table foods. She has 7 teeth! She's just doing amazing and words can't express how much in love with her that we are!

9 month stats:

Wt: 22 lbs 14 oz (>95th %)

Ht: 30 inches (>95th %)

Bennie is a mess! The boy is in constant motion. He's crawling EVERYWHERE...fast! Actually, he does a funny scooting thing where he pulls with his left arm, pushes with his right foot, wiggles his little butt, and shoots across the room full speed. He is so fast and gets in to everything. He's pulling up on some lower furniture, playing on his knees, and will go over whatever...or whoever is in his way. His new nickname is the "Bendozer" and it is extremely accurate. Many times a day I am pulling him off of his brother or sister b/c the fastest route to whatever he wants is over them. They are not pleased by this.

He loves to play...and loves toys...especially those that someone else is playing with! He is the ultimate toy thief. He will actually steal a toy, turn around, and crawl away with it. Shameless. He knows no fear and sees no obstacles. He's always smiling and always ready with a crazy giggle.

He almost has 4 teeth, the top two are coming in right now. He loves his sippy cup. You know he's hungry when he gets a little whiny and the thumb goes in the mouth. He has NO interest in table foods, loves anything sweet, and has finally gotten over his hatred of anything green. Mainly because he loves to eat.

But, the one thing that makes my heart melt, is that Bennie is a Mama's boy. He loves me and I eat it up. Wherever I am in the room he wants to be right next to me, in my lap, or in my arms. Somewhat problematic with three babies but fantastic at the same time.

Oh yeah, and he still has his big tall hair!
9 month stats:
Wt: 23 lbs 13 oz (90th %)
Ht: 30 1/4 in (95th %)



The Jack Hammer. Jack is the last to crawl. To be fair, he can move forward, when you are not looking. When you look...encourage...give him your support...he holds arms and feet up in the air and screams. He just seems to be a little timid. He gets up on his hands and knees, rocks, and begins the process. He then gives up and collapses. I think we just haven't found the right motivation yet.

Jack is the sweetest boy ever. He is my cuddler. He just melts in my arms, nuzzles up to me, sighs, and makes me feel so loved. He is so gentle. He softly reaches up and strokes my hair and face. He's just simply content to be held. Not a problem for me.

As sweet and gentle as he can be, the guy also has a TEMPER. He gets frustrated fairly easily (note crawling here) and we often joke that he needs a little anger management. His middle name is Casey after all... He will look at you, straighten his arms out, grind his teeth together, and let out a deep, guttural, growl. Sometimes he growls so hard he coughs after. Crazy boy. This is often followed by throwing himself backward. This is what you call a real fit.

He's a big talker. Lots of "blah blah", "ma ma", and "dee dee". Funny enough, he has the sweetest and softest voice. He's almost clapping when you clap. He tries so hard but can't get his hands to meet!

Jack's not really into the table foods yet...those silly boys prefer me to feed them! He has two teeth on the bottom, two middle teeth on top, and two more coming in next to them.
His sweet gentleness is matched only by his sharp mood swings and temper! But, he does have the dreamiest eyes...and the longest eyelashes.

9 month stats:
Wt: 21 lbs. 12 oz. (75th %)
Ht: 30 in. (90th %)

The changes are happening so fast. Every day they are doing more.

We got the go-ahead to switch to 20 cal/oz formula instead of the 22 cal/oz. They now have a bottle 3 times per day instead of 4. They spoon feed 3 times per day. They are still napping 3 times per day, but are showing signs of getting ready to drop that last nap.

They are doing great, I'm doing great, and I can't believe it's already been 9 months. It has been so much fun. I love being with them every day and they bring out the best in me. It's hard work, but I'm with my very favorite people all day long, so it doesn't even feel like work. I'm REALLY ready for the temperature to drop because we haven't been out much lately. It's just not worth all of the sweating that is involved. Things are getting a lot easier, the schedule is getting a lot more flexible, and they are just really happy babies. That makes my job pretty cushy, right? I can't wait to see what the next month brings!