Mr. Tate is 9 months (on the 24th, so a couple of days ago)
At 9 months:
-Tate weighs 21.15 pounds (a little less from last time we went in because he is more mobile and active and has been a little sick), and 29.5". This puts him in the 75-90th percentile in both height and weight.
-Tate wants to be outside all the time. This is nothing new but his methods are slightly honed. He can swiftly maneuver out the doggie door within seconds! This is not a good thing for many reasons.
-He is pulling up on everything, including our legs! It's so cute to feel a little tug and look down and see little man trying to crawl up my leg to get me to hold him-although, slightly hindering when I'm trying to get something done around the house.
-He wants to walk but is having some difficulty. He stands on his tip-toes a lot, I think from being getting around in his walker, so he doesn't have as much stability. He'll get it down soon.
-He's getting ear infections, a lot! I hate it for him. I know how miserable they are and wish that he never had to feel that way. He is constantly tugging on his ears and has been on antibiotics 3 times in the past 2 months :-(
-He likes to play at the park in the sandboxes, in the tunnels, on the slide, and swinging. I can't wait til he can run around and climb all over the place; although, I'm not looking forward to the bumps, bruises, and scratches that come along with it.
-He is ticklish and sometimes gets so giggly.
-He wears 12-18 month clothing. Getting closer to the 18 month mark daily. He also still wears size 5 diapers.
-He doesn't like hats anymore :-( this is probably why he despised his Halloween costume.
-He definitely recognizes his name, commands like "no", different people's faces and voices, and bottles.
-He doesn't really favor any toys. He likes to play with cups, boxes, and general non-toy things.
-He can crawl really fast and likes to chase Kitty around. If we let him out of our sight he tries going for her food and water bowl.
-He likes to push around chairs and crawl in between them under the table.
-We have a schedule and when he isn't sick, he usually follows it and sleeps through the night. When he's sick it is a different story, but that's how it is for most of us. Usually we feed him dinner around 6-6:30, go for a bike ride/walk around 6:30/7, bath, get diapered, lotioned, and manage to get him into jammies before 7:45 and then a bedtime bottle at 8. I let him play until he is tired and then put him in bed between 8:15-8:30, I sit there while he is in his crib and talk to him gently and pat him on the back and give him kisses then leave, and he usually cries between 5-10 minutes and then falls fast asleep. I think it helps to have a routine and follow it so he knows what to expect.
-As for naps I try to put him down 2 hours after he wakes up. He HATES naps. I think he feels like it's a punishment. He gets really grouchy if stays up too long. I have to put him in the crib and close the windows and do what we do for night time. He cries a lot longer during the day but I know it's the best for him. I also put him down for another nap usually a couple hours after lunch.
-He is going to Mother's Day Out twice a week at our church. Each time he goes he does a little better. I usually pick him up early because he gets anxious if he sees other children leaving before him. I guess he feels like he's going to get left.
-He babbles a lot more. He is like Trevor and makes noises when he is concentrating on something.
-He also does something else Trevor did as a baby, he rubs his feet together when he likes the way something tastes. And on that note, he doesn't want baby food. It infuriates him to see us eating big people food and he wants what we have. If I know what's in the food, I'll usually just let him eat with us.
-He can drink out of a sippy cup but doesn't like to hold it for himself; although, I know he's completely capable because he does it while he's by himself in his carseat where I can't see him. He better get used to it because we are about to switch from bottle to sippy cup completely.
-He likes to eat bananas in the morning. He usually grabs a chunk and shoves it in his mouth. Sometimes he tries to load his mouth like a chipmunk with multiple pieces, silly boy.
-He is happiest at night, which makes us sad because we love to play with him but only have a limited time because we don't want him to stay up too late and get grouchy and tired.
-He is truly an amazing baby boy and I'm loving watching him grow and learn. I can't believe I'm blessed enough to be his Mama! Each day I pray that I can raise him and guide him to be a great boy/man with a good heart and strong will :-) I don't think we will have a problem with that second part.
Cheesy grin!
rollin' around with his bottle...silly boy ;-)
He discovered a rock
gardening
Such a goof
Tate + dirt = joy
This will be such a cute picture once I edit in PS!
walkin' around
I'm helping momma!
Lucky boy! He ate 2 bowls of potatoes, then some stuffing, turkey, rolls, and a slice of chocolate cake! Good grief, the boy can eat!
Great Aunt Marcie giving him some pie.
Him and his Papa.
Later that night we went to eat dinner at Grampy's house!
Playing peek a boo and keep away with the remote. He was having a blast!
Tickle monster Daddy!
Mama has to get her kisses in!
Aunt Courtnie and Bitty getting in our picture. It was funny, he was pushing her out of the picture and laughing.
I love this photo! He looks like such a sweet little boy!
He got excited he got a balloon! The little old lady out there was such a sweetheart!
In the pumpkin carriage!
I love, love, LOVE this picture of Grammy and Tater Tot! Such a pair! :-)
Look at my pumpkin
I can drive! WOOHOO
Mama and me!