9 months old

Dear Alexis,

Hi Peanut! You're 9 months old today. Mommy is in complete shock. I can't believe it's been 9 months since you entered this world. 9 months since I first laid eyes on you. 9 months since I fell instantly in love with you. You amaze us everyday, but recently you've been doing so many new things. Just this past Friday you started pulling yourself up to your knees in your crib. So mommy lowered your mattress one notch (we still had it all the way up). Then Saturday, after swim class, and while Mommy was sitting in your room, you pulled yourself up to stand! And then started WALKING around your crib while holding on to the rails! Um...baby girl, when did you get to be such a BIG girl??!! You also will walk along on the floor if someone holds your hands...but yet, you don't crawl forwards. You can push yourself backwards, but can't crawl forwards. Mommy thinks you might skip crawling and starting walking soon...and that's scary! My baby? Walking? Seems like only yesterday we brought you home!

You also have 6 teeth in now. 4 on top and 2 on the bottom. You've bitten your fingers on multiple occasions and look at me like "what just happened"? But you haven't mastered actually chewing your food yet. Which makes Mommy nervous when people hand you goldfish crackers or other yummy tidbits. You love your Cream of Wheat...and dislike the "baby" cereals. You're eating almost a whole jar of food at lunch and dinner, along with your yogurt melts (your favorite) and puffs. You're wearing size 4 diapers and size 12 month clothes...though the thermal underwear Mommy just bought is 18 months and fits you perfectly.

Oh sweetie. People told me all along that time would go by in a flash, but I still can't believe that I'm looking at venues for your first birthday party already. You will always be my baby. I love you more than words can ever express. I hope that you will feel that love as you grow, and know just how much you are wanted.

Love always,

Mommy