Nine Months

Nine months already.  Wow. 

I love watching her personality grow.  She is quite the determined one.  In looks she is almost Zuri's twin, but in personality, there are many differences.  River isn't as "tough" as Zuri was at her age.  Perhaps because Zuri has always been so small and used to being knocked over, but Zuri would fall or get hurt and get right back up.  River, on the other hand, will cry and cry until she is soothed.  River can now pull herself up onto things but hasn't figured out how to balance herself without holding onto something, which means that she falls on her bum quite often, and doesn't like it one bit.  I think she is perfecting the squat so that she doesn't land on her bum when she wants to resume sitting.  

She is also much more of a cuddler than Zuri was at her age.  She loves to explore--as long as I am within eye shot.  She gets upset whenever I leave her line of sight, even for a second, and she would much rather be in my lap or arms than roaming around--unless she knows that there is uncharted territory to be discovered. 

Like most babies, she is all about sticking things in her mouth.  Everything.  If there is something on the ground, it will end up in her mouth.  Hair seems to be her favorite.  I can vacuum and vacuum and she will still manage to find something.  If there is nothing to be found, she will literally pull on the threads of the carpet until it comes out.  Little stinker.  We have to be hyper vigilant with this one.

She absolutely hates having clothes and a diaper put on her.  She is fine being undressed, but once you try to put the clothes back on her, it's tantrum city.

River also hates when you take things away from her.  It's an immediate and sometimes prolonged reaction. 

She is fascinated with the TV, even when it is off.  She will turn and stare at it as if to will it to turn on.  She loves sing-alongs, and will bob her body in response to the music.

My view all day--always trying to crawl on me

River enjoys the game of chase.  She will take off (crawling) and turn to make sure I am coming.  Her favorite game is when I say, "Hey! Where are you going/What are you doing?"  She will laugh and pick up speed to get away. 

She also loves peek-a-boo.  If I keep my hands over my eyes long enough, she will grab my hands to pull them down.  When she is ready for me to do it again, she will put my hands back up. 

She is great at imitating.  I click my tongue, she will click hers.  I blow raspberries, she will blow raspberries.  She can even clap, and will follow along with me when I clap.

River is 16 1/2 pounds, and 28 inches, which means she is tall and thin.  She is 64% for her height and 12% for her weight.  She lost some weight last month with the cold that we all caught (and her ear infection). 

She was a great sleeper--for about four days, then she had four teeth decide to come in at once.  They are still working their way out, which means several night wakings and an unpredictable schedule.  Just when we were getting a great schedule set. 

Pulling herself up

River is a daddy's girl through and through.  When J comes home, she is all over him.  She gets upset when he isn't holding her or leaves the room.  When J is home, it's as though I don't exist.  I remember when Zuri was like that too.

She is at the fun age where she is babbling.  When she is tired, hungry, or otherwise distressed, she says, "ma-ma-ma-ma."  When she is happy or content, she says, "ba-ba-ba-ba," or "da-da-da." 

I love watching her grow and learn.  It really seems as though the time is passing way too quickly.  Nine months already.

Clapping!