9 - 10 Months: On The Move!

July 12, 2014

Dear Alice and Evan

You babies are mobile! After sitting and bouncing and rolling to try to get to where you want you have both figured out the classic crawl. We worked on Alice's one night before bed and bam! You were moving at 9 months and 1 week. It took Evan a little longer to figure it out. We were playing in the kitchen watching Alice bomb around and you just seemed to download the 'how to crawl' program in that second and you too were on the go at 9 months and 4 weeks. Wait to go babies! Mommy spent this month baby proofing things. Finding out what you could reach, moving the fragile stuff, slowly (so slowly) installing cupboard latches, stuffing in plug covers, plastic wrapping the entertainment stand! And of course baby gates so we don't have to block the stairs with the bar stools anymore. Yeap, the whole main floor is a 'yes' zone! Except when Daddy watches you; a few things are not as yes as with Mommy. You guys are loving your new freedom except when a door is closed that you would like to get behind. Well, life is tough little babies, life is tough.

We spent a lot of this month practicing our crawling, of course, but did so much summer fun things as well! We try to do errands here and there to get out and about. The Superstore cart is the best because you can both fit in it, but Alice likes to practice standing in the other carts when there's only one seat. You guys like to stop in at Nana and Grandpa's in between errands to hang out on the back deck and play with Toby and Timka. Nana plays head and shoulders with you and Grandpa is a pro at coaxing out a smile even on grumpy days. You had a wonderful visit with your Auntie Kendra who came and played with you so much through her visit and spent a lovely day at the zoo with the family. Yes, your Auntie is not just a face behind a screen during our Facetime talks. We also played in the backyard lots, enjoying the sun slathered in sunscreen and wearing the dreaded sun hats, walking to the grocery, going to the swings. The weather has been pretty nice, but getting hot. 

THE SLEEP SITUATION: The nursery is roasty toasty but so far you guys have been able to sleep ok. No changes on that front. We have a hiccup of waking up here or there but otherwise you guys are consistent and pretty good sleepers. Evan still likes a cuddle and rock before sleep, with his yellow knit blanket. Alice likes to flip around in her crib, snuggle her muslin blanket, get up and down a couple times, and then I can finally rock you once you are sleepy. No more mobiles though, you guys yanked those down as soon as you could reach them. Mornings are still 5am, but there are worse situations and we get a lot done getting up so early. Mommy almost always goes back to sleep with you guys come 8am, and then again in the afternoon. Love those naps! 

THE FOOD SITUATION: It's been a slow go but you guys have been doing ok. You are still not a fan of purees. Maybe my homemade purees suck? Either way, the adventure is limited on that front. Bananacado is your go to goop these days and we sing Zippadeedooda or Boogityboo ALL the time to get you to eat. We get most of our variety with the finger foods. Still this has been a tedious business. One would think food should be so exciting and fun. Oh well, I will accept that you guys just want to take things slow, more Evan than Alice methinks. 

THE HEAD SITUATION: You got your helmet June 24th. Yeah! You didn't mind even one bit. What a trooper! We eased you into it but not once did you seem to care. Maybe you have a natural affinity for helmets... Hockey or Football in your future? Anyway, we were ready for the therapy to begin and you can only get more handsome. 

You babies have really grown socially this month. Lots of looking at each other, holding hands across the highchairs, yakking back and forth, laughing at each other, taking toys and then being upset, wanting what the other has, especially bottle jealousy. Your favorite time to play is when one of you is in the jumperoo and the other hangs on to the outside. For some reason this is great laughable fun. 

 

Evan... You LOVE stuffies. Biting them, stuffing your face in them, sucking on them, yup you really love them. I don't even think you have a favorite, you love them all! Other favorites are the animal train, your bongos, practicing tai-chi, and spinning in circles (are you mimicking the fan you love to look at?) You love being tickled and laughing so much. You smile all the time at everybody. What a charming baby you have become. You don't even seem to get too cranky most of the time and are happy to play most of the day and just go with the flow. It's the nights when you like to be coddled to sleep and are usually the one waking up in tears because you are hungry or have a full diaper or just decided you need to get up and snuggle or play. I call you my needy nighttime baby. You also figured out clapping and going from lying down to standing, probably so you and your sister can look at each other over the crib railings.
 

Alice... You are my needy daytime girl. You put yourself to sleep like a champ and sleep through the night, but once you are awake you need stimulus and attention. You get cranky on days when we don't get out of the house. Now that you can crawl you are often underfoot helping Mommy with chores and going to the bathroom. You hate whenever I go upstairs without you to change Evan. Favorite days are when we go to the park or Nana comes over to play. You like being independent, like going to bed and eating solids and drinking your bottle while sitting upright. What a clever girl. And you have a wonderful look of pride whenever you figure something new out. New sounds are the best to show off. You love... playing peekaboo with blankets, rattles and shakers, toothbrushes, drinking bottles, making snuffy faces, helping unload the dishwasher (not so helpful actually), and are developing a fondness for books (and not just to eat them). You also discovered how to climb stairs and think this is the funnest thing on the planet, it's hard to hold you back! Your hair is getting long these days and maybe with a little curl? We shall see. 

On July 10th we flew to Nova Scotia! What an adventure! Will have to tell you about that next time. 

Weights: Evan 18.5lbs Alice 18.9lbs
Teeth Count: Evan 8, Alice 4