Nine months.

Dear Mister George,

A big title for a big boy. And this was definitely a big month for you.

Your props this month are too eensy teensy to show up in this photo, but I promise, they are there - you have three little teeth in your mouth. The two bottom teeth showed up a few weeks ago, and then just today at your nine month pediatrician appointment, your dad noticed a third tooth poking through on the top. Ninja tooth! Or...we have become so accustomed to your constant teething behavior, we kind of gave up on actually expecting another tooth to pop through.

But your dad knew those top teeth were coming soon, thanks to some x-rays you had earlier this week when we were worried you might have swallowed Momma's pendant. You loved gnawing on that thing, and it is getting harder and harder to keep an eye on you these days.

Crawling is one of the reasons you are more wily now. You are surprisingly fast considering you are still army crawling rather than getting up on all fours. Instead of carrying you from room to room, I talk to you and encourage you to follow me. You are also super clingy as of late, so you happily follow me anywhere.

Smarts, you have them. This month you began consistently giving kisses when asked (either when we say "Kisses!" or making a "mwah!" sound), could play "How big is George? So big!" over FaceTime with your Mammaw, and even waved hello to someone for the first time. You have been clapping your hands for ages, and seem to understand that it should be done when something exciting happens.

You have outgrown a few items this month - your infant carrier car seat, your kitchen sink tub, and the highest setting on your crib mattress. Now you are in a convertible carrier, a duck tub in the real tub, and the lowest setting in the crib. You are growing in every way.

Another holiday has passed - Thanksgiving! Christmas isn't far behind. You went to two turkey dinners, but your particular meals were still our George-safe, dairy- and soy-free options. We have been experimenting with your bottles, trying to see if you will drink larger quantities less frequently so we have more time between them to work on solids. This is what you have taught me about babies - parents are constantly either trying to get them to eat or sleep.

Knock on wood, but you are a great little sleeper. We have been working on consistency with your naps for months, and finally finally finally there is predictability. You are awake two hours in the morning, three hours in the afternoon, and then a few hours in the evening until you go to bed at eight. I am more grateful than I can say. Those early months where you would stay awake for 12 hour stretches are behind us...for now.

You are growing up, kiddo. Someday you will be a child who legitimately stays up for 12 hours during the day without having epic meltdowns. When I look at your face, more and more I see the little boy you are becoming. I absolutely love getting to know you ever day. Thank you for letting me.

Love,

Missus Momma