So often when I'm asked how old my baby is, I get the response, "Oh, that's the best age!" and I've been hearing this pretty much throughout the 9-10 month point. Each month has definitely had it's finer moments (and tougher ones...), but I can see what they mean. Little personalities are just so rapidly forming at this stage and just like always, when we think we couldn't love this child any more, each day our hearts seem to grow even bigger toward her...
A lot has changed since the last "update" post, as the most recent one was mainly focused on the happenings of the holidays, and our sweet Maelee girl is just ever the little lady! For instance, she happily sits, so prim and proper, playing with her toys and turning the pages of her books, and we joke that she just can't be bothered to dirty her little hands and knees to heaven-forbid crawl on the floor to get somewhere! She may surprise us yet with this feat, but for now, we have to laugh as we try to encourage her to reach, reach, reach (and as a consequence, crawl, crawl, crawl!) for that toy out of reach and she just reaches with that dainty outstretched hand and then decides she is quite content without that toy. She does love to stand and excitedly pulls herself up whenever she sees an easy enough location to do so, but she'll very cautiously "cruise" from one place to another, ever so delicately feeling out her bearings.
Despite her growing two bottom teeth, and the impending arrival of some upper ones, no bib is necessary with our Miss Maelee! Drool??? Ewwww. She certainly wouldn't have that. Only when entertaining herself with her buzzing razzberries, thank you very much! And while I was ripping out anything my mother tried to put into my hair at this age (using tape, no less!), Maelee patiently endures the barrettes and the bows as if she understands the degree of pretty-ness they can add. I thought we had passed this phase a week or so back when she yanked one out but she seemed to just want to admire it in her hands and now she still contentedly sports them. And her budding vocabulary seems to solidify her "all girl" personality as she is quite the chatterbox and now excitedly signs "more," thrilled at actually being able to really communicate.
She's now eating a variety of foods and mommy's the one that makes the biggest mess feeding her. While I'm sure I'll eventually be eating my words (no pun intended), she has yet to have one of the classic baby-throwing-food moments. Yes, I know, she's still young so that's sure to come, but her current ladylike-ness just cracks me up. Not one to be the life of the party or a clown, she just curiously takes everything in with those big, blue, inquisitive eyes. Oh, she can giggle. And they are the sweetest, belly giggles we've ever heard, but they are mainly reserved for mommy and daddy tickle fests or high intensity peek-a-boos. She's definitely not the silly baby in the nursery putting random items on her head or hamming it up to get all eyes on her (although we'd love her just the same if she was!).
Regardless, it'll be fun to see how this personality develops and if she continues on this "girly girl" path or does a complete 180 into a total rambunctious tom-boy. We'll adore her either way, and are just enjoying watching her develop.
Here's some backtracking from the fun had in her 9th month up until now.
Still loving the jump-up at Nana & Pop-Pop's
The amazing Boston Cream Pie Birthday Cake for Daniel
that Nana decorated with Japanese characters!
Uncle Daniel always knew how to get the smiles!
Pulling up on the bench ottoman to sort through her treasure chest of toys
Flipping through the pages of her favorite books
Giggly tickle fests with mama
More fun playdates with the gals!Teegan, Blake, and Giavanna
With Teegan & Giavanna
Our Little Dolls
She's ok being on her tummy sometimes :)
Sitting pretty
And some more recent shots (with more pics from the 10th month coming up in next post!)
Steeler baby
On the train to NJ to see Aunt Kim & Karl for a belated Christmas celebration
Opening her presents from Aunt Kim and Karl
Our little Valentine
Enjoying a Valentine Musical "Playdate" with her sweetie, Wesley...
And Kate, Perri & Peyton!
Groovin' to the music
We're still lovin her CRAZY hair!!!And here are some favorites back from her 9 Month "Photo Shoot"
And more in this slideshow:
