9 MONTHS

Stats 'n' Stuff:

Weight:  20lbs 12oz.

Height:  30 1/2 inches

Hair: Thin and very blonde.  A few straggly pieces flap over his right ear but I would rather tuck them behind then cut them just yet :-)

Sleeping habits:  
 - Daytime   I think I can safely say this little guy finally has a routine!  Morning nap happens between 9:30-11am.  Afternoon nap between 1:30-4.  - Nighttime   He is doing better!  He blessed us with a 10 hour night on his 9 mo birthday!  It was awesome -- 8pm-6am.  We need to keep that up!

new stuff:

He still isn't crawling... and we asked the doctor about it and she said it is perfectly normal.  He is very active and ROLLS everywhere - plus he does get up on his hands and knees so we shouldn't worry.  He is also very interested in pulling himself up by the couch, bookshelf, and anywhere he can roll to!

Patty Cake!  He learned how to clap his hands together and likes to applaud himself!  Usually he laughs when he does it...must think he is pretty funny ;-)

This month he really started jabbering too -- no idea what he is talking about but he usually has quite a bit to say!  Lots of bababababa and then some tatatatat and then his famous motorboatin' on his lips that he likes to do for attention :)

The bad 'new stuff' this month was that he really got sick for the first time.  He had RSV which was no fun at all.  Sneezing, stuffy and runny nose, very watery eyes, fever, caughing.  Nasty stuff.

Favorite things to do: 
Rolling around on the floor to find cords, pull things off of shelves and basically get into anything he shouldn't be!

Things he does NOT like to do: 
Well... he loves my phone and HATES when I take it away from him.  I'm trying to keep it away so I don't create a monster.  He gets MAD when I don't let him have it! 

Things he has learned

The big one this month was patty cake!


Things mommy has learned:

I love this age and he is getting SO big.  Our little boy is growing up so quick - I can't believe in 3 months we will be celebrating his first birthday.   

Sick babies are no fun.  Sick baby equals sick mommy.

I have also decided to hang up the breast pump and ween him off of me.  9 months was a good run - but my milk production really slowed down and I had to start supplementing with formula.   It might sound weird - but it has been a bit of an emotional thing.  It was nice to feel so needed for so long and as much as I hate the early morning feedings, having that bonding time with him has been well worth it. 
 

Here are some of our favorite pics from the month:

'Mom -- hurry up and take this picture because I'm gonna be outta this thing in a second!'

Can't think of a better way to start the month than with Grandma Lori at the beach!

GOBBLE GOBBLE -- this baby had his 1st Thanksgiving this month!

Sunday Football with daddy!....Give it 5 years and he will be playing Fantasy Football too (heaven help me...)

Family portrait makes us an 'official' family now ;-) 

It was a wonderful month and I couldn't feel more blessed as a mother.  Seeing him grow this year has been an amazing journey -- and the best part is that it has just started!

We love you, Drew Robert!  

Beyond Thankful

This Thanksgiving I couldn't be more thankful for all of the blessings in my life and being able to spend an entire day celebrating them was so much fun!  This has been such a wonderful year in so many ways -- we are just so thankful for all the gifts we have received from God!  A healthy, happy baby boy, a supportive and loving family, friends near and far, our health, a beautiful home, great jobs, the list goes on for miles.  We truly are beyond Thankful. 

This is the second year we have spent Thanksgiving here in Florida and Ronnie and I both agree that the nice long weekend at home is just what we both need after our hectic fall schedules.  With his travel schedule in the fall and my work conferences and end-of-year maddness each year, there is nothing better than some downtime with family to relax, reflect on all the wonderful blessings we have and start preparing for the Christmas season.

On Thanksgiving Day we went over to Ron and Cathy's for the day.  Ron's mom Dorris flew in a few days prior so Drew was able to spend some quality time with Great Grandma Merrill!  She is 95 and doing awesome - she is sharp as a tac!  Steph was there as well so Drew got spoiled all day by Aunt Stephy and the Grandparents!

And since Drew LOVES eating big people food -- we knew Thanksgiving was going to be a fun day for him!  Here are some pics of our little Turkey! 

GOBBLE GOBBLE!  This little turkey was ready for the day!

'Mom - did you say grandma is making sweet potatoes???'

Posing with mommy -- of course he won't look at the camera...

Sleeves back to get my little hands on some turkey and sweet potatoes!

'Grandpa...I finished everything else, now I just want to get that last little pea!'

Belly is full and time to relax on the floor with the guys watching football!

Looking a little sleeeeeeepy... Turkey Coma was on it's way!

Snuggling with Great Grandma :-)

Of course we only have one sock on!  This little guy loves to pull those things off!

I just realized that what we didn't get a picture of was him scarfing down some Pumpkin Pie!  I had to cut him off.... :-)

 Thanksgiving Day was a wonderful celebration of all the things we are thankful for, with this little guy at the top of the list!  We love you little pork-chop!