Olive @ 9 Months

Dear Olive,

Happy 9 months!!  I can't believe you are so big!  You are learning so much and doing so many new things.  It seems as though you pick up new tricks all day long.  You just started crawling last week. You've been trying hard to move for months - rolling, scooting, wiggling but you finally got your whole body to work together and you are FAST!!  You know what you want and you get it.  You follow us around the house and get into e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!  Nothing is safe and we are baby proofing to the max.

 You are very determined and want what you want when you want it.  You've started throwing fits if you don't get your way or if we discourage you from climbing the furniture and pulling on cords.  You recover quickly but are quite the actress.

You love being close to us and have figured out how to get yourself from point A to point B.  You shimmy down the furniture and are getting better at standing. You seem so proud of yourself when you are up and about and we are your biggest fans cheering on your every step.

 You've started making faces.  You've always been expressive but it seems as though you've now figured out how to make faces to be silly.  You have a super smiley face, a pouty face, dramatic face, mad face and about a million others.  Oh and let's not forget about the smirk, shoulder shrug and nodding yes and no that are all sure ways to get exactly what you want.  We can't seem to say no to your cute face.  You have two bottom teeth that poke out when you smile.  They are so cute and you flash them more and more every day.  I think you may be working on a few new teeth right now.

 We play a constant game of keep Olive away from the remote and our cell phones.  You spot them like a hawk and have your hands on them in no time.  We have a fake remote that we let you play with but it seems like you've figured out it isn't the real deal because you always seek out the one closest to us.  You can change the channels, turn off the cable and completely soak any device. 

 Your newfound mobility has our cats alarmed.  They aren't quite sure what to do with this new baby who is chasing them around the house and creeping up to see them on the couches.  They love you and will let you put them a time or two.  Then they bolt.  You've started to steal their toys, invade their favorite sleeping spots and they seem quite concerned about this development.  I do hope you'll be the best of friends one day but you're going to have to work on your gentle hands and your whisker pulling. 

Oh and our house looks like a toy store for all of your waking hours.  You love the game of dumping out containers, scattering your toys and eating everything you can get your hands on.  I vacuum all the time and you still manage to find the one crumb I missed.  You keep us on our toes!!

 You seem eager to check out all electronics and everything we keep just out of your reach.  The computer and cords are fascinating.  The printer paper must taste delicious because we often find you pulling it out and crumpling it into your mouth.  You are so proud of yourself and your daily accomplishments.  You do something and then look back at us as if to say, "Look what I can do!  Aren't you amazed??"  We are little girl!!  You seem less and less like a baby every day.  You are so much fun and definitely take after your dad in being a BUSY BABY. 

You are eating solids, chugging your bottles, giggling, giving kisses, pulling hair, pulling up, climbing everything, loving books, chewing on most everything, hating being ignored and are quite the attention hog.  You love sleeping in your crib and have learned to stand when you wake up.  You'll call for ma-ma and reach your arms out for me to pick you up.  You are almost 20lbs and are so healthy.  You hair is getting fuzzy and a few new hairs are sprouting.  You wear size 3 diapers but are almost ready for 4s.  You're wearing 9 and 12 month clothing and love to take baths.  I think you're going to be a water baby.  You still travel like a champ and love to go for walks in your stroller.

We sure do love you!! Love, Mom