9 months (plus a few weeks.. :-)

So I guess Samuel's actually closer to 10 months now, but since he didn't have his 9 month appointment until this past Tuesday, I kind of postponed posting anything about it.

Here's his 9 month stats:
Height: 29 1/2" (85%)
Weight: 19 lbs. 15 oz (51%)
Head circumference: 17" (7%)

So the unfortunate thing about this is that since Samuel's head is still small and even slightly smaller percentile-wise than it has been, we have to go back in a month to get his head re-measured and check his fontanel to make sure it's not closing up too early. :( I know I shouldn't be too worried... Samuel's development has been great and he's ahead in most areas (probably because he doesn't have much head to lug around!). Still, I hate that he's so disproportionate. We'll see how everything plays out!

It's funny how he's started doing new things since I posted about his cute habits just a few weeks ago. For instance, now he can stand by himself when he lets go of something after pulling up. He gets up on one knee and tries to stand up, but ends up falling a lot. Poor guy. He waves back when people wave to him (though his hand is usually turned toward himself. We're still working on that one!) He's started taking his milk in a sippy cup occasionally instead of a bottle. I'm trying to start him on a regular cup, but that has pretty much been a bust so far.

My favorite new thing he's started doing the last week or so is DANCING. I don't know what possessed him to start swaying back and forth, but one day he pushed the button on his little puppy that made it play the ABCs, and off he went. We've always listened to Pandora throughout the day, but it's a lot more entertaining now!

He's also gotten really into tickling the last week or so. If we tickle him he just DIES laughing. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever!

Samuel's also gotten a ton more hair in the last month (still no new teeth though)! He's finally backed off on the spitting up too, something I am sooooo grateful for!

As far as eating goes, he's been pretty stubborn about not wanting purees any more. He'll occasionally let me feed him some mashed up banana or something, but he wants to hold the spoon by himself and we usually end up getting into a small tiff over it. Pretty much I've just been giving him finger foods or sharing what ever I'm eating. In the last few weeks he's tried a burrito, sloppy joe, chicken pot pie, taco casserole, chicken and rice... the majority of dinners I've cooked. We've also made a habit of going to Trader Joe's when Eric has to work late and trying whatever they have on sample there. I even let him try some spiced apple cider, which he went CRAZY over!

Sleeping is still pretty great. Morning naps are kind of a mess with preschool/church three days a week. Some days he doesn't take one at all, other days he sleeps an hour and a half. He normally evens things out with his afternoon nap though. He's definitely taken a few 3 hour-ers the last few weeks! Night-time sleep is still good. He pretty much always goes down without an issue around 8. The last few weeks he's been waking up once or twice and crying, but he usually self-soothes, though occasionally I have to get up and give him a pacifier. He typically sleeps until 7/7:30, so I can't really complain about that. I've seriously been spoiled having a such a good sleeper!

The one not-so-great thing about the last month or so is that Samuel's started getting a little bit of an attachment issue with me. The funny thing is he doesn't have a problem if I leave him. He's still totally happy at church or at the Y or with friends. The problem is when I'm nearby but not with him. I need to go to the kitchen? He follows me and bangs on the door and cries. I leave him with Eric upstairs so I can run and do some laundry? He screams until I come back up. If I leave him with Eric and leave the house though.... he's happy as a clam.

I guess I should be grateful. At least he's willing to stay with other people. And it is kind of sweet he wants to be with me all the time. It sure does make it hard to get things done though! (Wonder why I'm blogging 5 days after his appointment? Because he won't leave the computer alone!).

I probably shouldn't admit this on the internet, but one of the funniest things that happened this month was that I found a Starburst wrapper in Samuel's diaper. He's been pretty into eating paper... cat food... books... whatever he can get his hands on. I bought some Starbursts for our trip to Arkansas and had a few left over when we got back that I enjoyed after dinner. Apparently someone got into the trash can and enjoyed the leftovers a little too! I guess those don't digest super-well, because they pretty much came out whole. Ew! It gave us a good laugh though. So there's my mom-fail for the month!

Samuel is such a super sweet, funny, happy kid. He definitely keeps me on my toes! Watching him grow is SO fun and I'm SO glad I get to be his mom!!