9 Month Update

Happy 9 months (yesterday) Parker P!

At nine months, Parker...

*weighs at least twenty pounds
*crawls around like a madman
*says dog, dada, and bye bye
*waves and shakes his head no
*learned how to drink from a sippy cup
*has the pincher grasp almost down
*climbed the stairs from our living room to upstairs
*refuses baby food, but eats all the adult food he is allowed
*still nurses every 3 hours or so
*still gets up to nurse at night on occasion (yes! i know)
*is not a good napper



*can get into a standing position by himself as long as he has something to hold onto
*is very strong willed and already defiant
*tries to climb out of his stroller every chance he gets
*gives "love" aka his version of a hug
*is about to move to 9-12 month clothing
*has never had a drop of formula
*still falls asleep in his swing on occasion
*has been cloth diapered for over four months
*still sucks his Wubbanub to go to sleep
*sleeps in his crib and immediately rolls over on his tummy when I lay him down


Everything you ever wanted to know about him, right!? I can't believe he's been on the outside as long as he was baking on the inside.

Conference with Lily's teacher

"Lily is doing so great," says her teacher.

Then she pulls out some pictures.

"This is a picture of how you spend time together," says her teacher. "Mommy is cleaning, Daddy is playing Donkey Kong, and Lily is playing with her brother."

Couldn't be more true. Although, Lily is usually barking directions at Shane on what to do in the game, rather than playing sweetly with Parker on the floor.

My daughter cracks me up.

I wish I had this on film

But I'll try to paint a decent picture for you.

Now that Parker is almost nine months, he sort of understands what no means. I figured this out yesterday. He also understands when he isn't getting his way.

Yesterday, he was obsessed with this mini, super sharp screw driver. I was organizing some stuff (what else is new), and he pulled it out of of container and fell in love. He held it. He threw it and crawled to it. Wanted to chew on it. Hit the dog with it. He was so happy. I took it away when I finally realized how sharp it was at the end (way to go Mommy!), but he screamed. And screamed. His face was so so red. He fell out on the floor like I had taken away his best friend.

Nope, not his first tantrum. But his first tantrum with me taking something away from him. So I decided to see exactly what he understood. I waited for the next opportunity.

Flash forward 15 hours later (not really, but it felt like that long of a day) and we are at Shane's work waiting on Daddy. Parker kept trying to chew on this glass table. "Parker," I say to distract him (technique from a peaceful parenting website. Note, this doesn't work for him). He looks at me and smiles. And goes back to gnawing on the said glass table. "No, no," I say, rather sweetly. In slow motion, he slowly stops chewing, looks at me, and grunts the ugliest noise I have ever heard. HOW DARE YOU TEL ME NO!!!???!!! He gives me a you no what type of look, his face red from the grunting, and returns to chewing on the glass table.

Do I have my hands full or what? Just mentioning getting in trouble, Lily turns into a cherub. Better start praying for strength. Especially if he's going to be walking soon.

Shhh...

I think Parker is finally taking a nap. The time change has really thrown him for a loop. Here it is almost 12:30, and we have gone to a friend's for coffee, gone grocery shopping with Daddy, and crawled around and played for almost two hours. Where is this energy and happiness coming from without a morning nap?

Ok, I just checked. He's asleep. Hallelujah!

We are not dropping the morning nap. I love it too much. Plus, the more he naps, the better he sleeps at night.

Oh, and yeah, we've been busy lately. Tee ball started, we have tons of home projects going on simultaneously (brilliant idea, right?), family is coming in town soon, and we just generally have places to be and people to see. Because we are so cool.

Anyways...nothing new to report. Lily and Parker and their parents are doing great=life is good!!