Nine

Carys, you're nine months old!  What's shakin'?

You are a mover and a shaker.  You are everywhere and in everything.  Naturally, your favorite things to play with are forbidden - remote controls, telephones, Sister's jewelry, shoes, Penny's toys, knick-knacks, Sister's potty.  You're working hard on learning boundaries, but you're a quick study.  You are very familiar with, but also very responsive to the word 'no.'

You love to pull up on the coffee table.  Usually, you only pull up to your knees, but every once in a while you stand.  I love to see your sweet little face peaking up from the other side of the coffee table.  You always have a twinkle in your eye when you are successful.

You have two bottom teeth.  And, they are sharp little buggars!  One of them is almost all the way in.  The other one is still working its way out.  Your favorite teething toy is our coffee table.

You love to feed yourself.  You eat a lot of different things as long as you are in control of the food.  So far, your favorite things are pancakes, watermelon, and pumpkin bread.

You love to be outside.  Sometimes when you are a little cranky, we hit the big outdoors.  You love when the wind blows through our trees.  You also love all the tiny acorns that you can try to put in your mouth - see paragraph re: moving and shaking!

You are finally starting to sleep longer at night.  It is taking tough love which is very hard at night.  But, you are so very much happier in the morning when you get a good night sleep that I know it is worth it.

You love Perdita.  That is the best $8 I have ever spent.  Your face glows when you see her.  Poor Perdy has taken a bit of abuse at your hands.  You love to chew on her tail, paws, ears, nose, anything you can get in your mouth.  It's so stinkin' cute, though, to see you curled up with her in your crib.  Sweetness personified.

Your eyes are still bright blue and show no signs of changing.  Will you be our little blue-eyed cutie?  Your hair is coming in and getting longer.  After your bath, we can see little curls right behind your ears just like when Sister was your age.

You love Sister, and Sister loves you.  We couldn't have asked for a more tender sister relationship.  What a blessing to watch you to grow up together.  Our prayer is that you girls will continue to be best friends forever.

Sweet baby, you make my heart swell!