9 Months

Madeleine is now 9.5 months so I better tell you all her latest tricks and stats! We took her for her 9 month checkup at the beginning of the month and found out that she is now:

Weight: 16.1 lbs (5th %)

Height: 27.5 in (50th %)

Head: 44.5 cm (75th %)

At 9 months she is in to EVERYTHING! She is a crawling champ and wants to be everywhere. The other day I went upstairs for something while Andrew was still downstairs with her and before he knew it she was halfway up the stairs! Time for the dreaded baby gates. I just installed them this past week, and while the peace of mind is priceless, what a pain it is to take laundry upstairs or do anything which requires navigation through the two gates. She is getting very good at free standing and I know it won't be too long before there are steps to follow. Despite being a flyweight, she eats a ton and is always eating. I was concerned about her weight, but the doctor wasn't and said that she will most likely always be petite and because she is so active (she was a constant jumping bean during her exam) that she would have a hard time gaining substantial weight.

Towards the beginning of the month she mastered clapping and waving, and even more exciting (for us any way) she will do this when you ask her to. She loves to play, especially chasing games and peek-a-boo, and she loves to be sang to - we have a special lullabye we sing before bedtime.

She continues to be an excellent sleeper, she sleeps from about 8-8 without waking and still will take a morning and afternoon nap, or as I like to call them, my moments of sanity!

Some favorite pictures from the past month:

Strawberry Fields Forever

At the end of April I packed Madeleine, Katelyn and Papa and we went to the strawberry fields by my parents' house to pick strawberries. These strawberries are an annual favorite! I have never tasted berries quite that sweet and yummy, they are a real treat. I initially was going to take the two girls by myself and then at the last minute dad was coming along and most gratefully so! What was I thinking trying to take a 9 month old and a 3 year old trying to pick fruit? Dad kept Katelyn occupied and I carried Madeleine on my back in my Mei Tai carrier. I picked two very full gallons of strawberries and suffered for it the next few days by having my thighs and calfs on fire from squatting to pick berries while carrying Maddy on my back. However, I would not trade it for the world. Katelyn had a ball, and Madeleine fell asleep on my back. I love making memories like these.

Getting ready to go!

Good pickins (Andrew loves that Dad is in his old OZ jacket :)

Me and my aching back!

Papa and Katelyn