9 months!

Dear Lucy,

Well hello, big girl!  You're nine months old today!  Time sure is flying by- I can hardly believe you're 3/4 of a year old!  You've now been on the outside longer than you were on the inside. :)

You've grown in this last month, as well as outgrown your car seat, which has really had a domino effect, in terms of gear and how you get around.  Since your infant car seat also doubled as your stroller, we used it to take you everywhere, including into restaurants.  So now you're sitting (and sleeping) pretty in a new car seat...

not one, but two new strollers

- and even restaurant high chairs!

 The Bob was actually your first stroller, but we didn't use it on a regular basis until now.  It's a big step up from your last ride!  It's so much smoother and turns on a dime, but man do you look so teeny tiny in it!  It makes me a little sad that I can't see your face during our walks anymore, but you really seem to enjoy facing forward, looking out at everyone and everything, and that makes me happy.

 Speaking of looking out at everyone and everything, you recently learned how to wave and are now waving at everyone and everything, too.  This includes us and everyone else who walks by, pictures, lights in the house, lamp posts on the street, windows, the dog, the kitchen... if you see it, you wave at it!

You've always been the happiest, friendliest baby- you smile at everyone - now you wave at everyone, too!  The other day as we were walking around the mall, you must have been waving at everyone passing by, because I would see people smiling down at you and waving back. :)

You're also becoming a lot more vocal.  Daddy was really excited when you first said "Dada"!  You can also say "baba" and "nana" - testing out those consonants, apparently!  Another fun thing- somehow you've learned how to turn the pages while we read to you.  We didn't even "teach" you how to do this- you just picked it up on your own!  Such a smart girl!

You love to stand.  You can't walk just yet, but you can and do inch your way around the coffee table and sofa.  You like to stand in your exersaucer, and we just got a little musical activity table that you also like standing up at and playing with.  For a while you didn't know how to get down from a standing position, but you're starting to figure it out now.  You fall, but it doesn't seem to phase you most of the time.  You just get right back up!  Thatta girl!

You're doing well with food.  No bad reactions thus far and you seem to like each new food that you try.  We're still easing into the world of finger foods, but you're getting the hang of that, too.  You can generally get the little pieces into your mouth now, although you haven't quite mastered the whole chewing thing.  Pieces of tofu, for instance, seem to have a way of lingering on your tongue, so we have to constantly check in there before giving you anymore.  I don't blame you- it's hard to chew food when you only have two half-teeth!  You're also getting the hang of your sippy cup more and more. :)  Unfortunately, you're also becoming more and more distracted at meal times, which doesn't make it easy on any of us, but I suspect this is just a phase.

For the most part, you're so good natured and mellow.  People often remark about how friendly and smiley you are and how you never seem to cry or fuss.  And it really is true.  You really only fuss when something is really bothering you- be it you're overly tired, extra annoyed about something, or teething.  (Which I have a hunch you may be doing again.)  You have your moments, but overall, you're just as happy-go-lucky as ever. You bring smiles to everyone you come in contact with, and I know you don't realize it now, but that's such a gift!

You are pure joy!

We love you!