9 months!

i can hardly believe how quickly these nine months have come and gone. just this week we passed st. jude on the way to her wellness exam, and i (as if on que) got teary thinking about the magic of birth, "that's the last time i cried, i was so happy to meet her" he says, "i think about it every time i drive by here." i crave that first week of her life often (so does my biological clock!), how much weeping and joy and pure adrenaline i ran on. everything was uncharted territory and mystical and perfect and brand spanking new in all ways, so of course i get all blubbery and sentimental every time i think about those early days. she is the perfect addition to our family, balancing out the rough housing and farting (soooo much farting!) with baby giggles and uber doses of sweetness.

at 9 months, she:

• is still the BIGGEST fan of "peek-a-boo".
• coming in at a close 2nd is the ABC song.
• standing up! up, down, up, down, up, down all day long. she's getting better and better everyday. she can balance hands-free, correct her wobbles and when she plops down she claps! 
• if you *rap* "bounce bounce ba-ba-ba-bounce bounce," she takes it as her que to dance.
• she's still our velcro baby, i wear her often around the house while cooking, folding laundry, doing dishes, or when we're out and about. 
• there's this immediate change in demeanor when she's outside, it's like magic out there in the sunshine. and she's just happy as a clam when daddy wears her on walks.
• "da-da" is her favorite word to say. and if she's froggy in the a.m. she will babble on and on just to hear how funny her voice sounds. 
• she refuses anything on a spoon. she's a big girl now and she wants to eat with her hands!
• brother's room is her favorite in the house, she oohs and ahhs every time we're in there.
• she is fascinated by the kitty, as if vivers is some majestic creature from a far off land. it's so comical, i MUST catch it on video.
• she will be our naked child once she can take master taking her clothes off, she is her happiest in the nude. 
• she knows what kisses are and will give you a big open mouth smacker. they are my favorite! right up there with baby hugs.
• she probably could wave... but we intercepted, we sing "rollin' with the hommies" - and now it's a wave with a wrist roll! 

she reaches for you, smiles with delight, lays her head on your shoulder, talks while everyone else is talking, gets excited for dance parties, chugs icy cold water, loves to snuggle, will laugh at your baby jokes, and uses her pointer-finger for everything.

i am so happy and in love. there's no tantrum a nap can't fix or any other game i'd rather be playing then picking up the toys she's tossing on the floor. happy nine-month's to our sweet sweet baby girl.