I'm 9 Months Old!

I turned 9 months old this past Monday. I'm now 18 lbs 10 oz, 29.75 inches tall, and have a big head (25%/90%/90%)- tall and lean just like Daddy.

9 MONTH PORTRAITS

Williamsburg Vacation

Mommy, Daddy, and I met Nana and Grandpa (Gerdes) in Williamsburg, VA for our first big family vacation. We spent the week visiting Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. We even got to see Uncle Fuzzy and some of Nana and Grandpa's friends who happened to be in the area at the same time. Unfortunately, it rained every day we were there- but I'm happy that I got to hang out and spend time with my family. It was especially nice seeing daddy all day for 11 days in a row!

I liked helping Daddy hold the umbrella while strolling around in the front pack. We saw so many school kids in Colonial Williamsburg; the girls really made me laugh and smile. I hope they didn't get into too much trouble from their teachers!

Daddy really loves this photo of me. See my big chiclets peeping out from my top gums?

Daddy calls me his little Dalai Llama- especially when it seems like I'm looking out into the world and considering important matters.

I've been working on a few words, such as Dada, Mama, and Baba. While on vacation, I was inspired to say "Papa". I loved watching Grandpapa talk and move those white whiskers around.

As you may know, Mommy likes to share her love of elephants with me.

Swimming rocks! This was my first time ever in a pool and I dare say, I loved it!

The water did taste different than my bath water, but no matter, I still had so much fun.

I spent most of my time chewing on the boat handle and kicking my legs like a duck.

Maryland Visit

Mom, Dad, and I returned last Sunday from a wonderful vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia. On the way down and back, we stopped in Frederick, MD to visit with Auntie Jen, Uncle Eric, and Cousin Eli. We drove a lot, and there were times when I really wanted to be out of the car, but overall, I didn't mind the drive at all and spent most of the time talking, playing, or sleeping.

Since I don't have much hair, Mom decided it would be fun to play with Eli's long locks. I can't wait to get a cool faux hawk too!

We all went out for a grand Mexican lunch in Historic Frederick. Eli tried a lemon for the first time and made the funniest sourpuss!

I've been experimenting with a new face lately. If I don't like something, I will close my eyes, purse my lips, and shake my head. Mommy and Daddy think it's the funniest thing and laugh and laugh. I guess they wonder if I am doing this more for the attention or if I'm trying to communicate "no".

I love Auntie Jen so much and wish we could see her more often. Maybe one day Mommy will get to live in Maryland again and will take me and Daddy with her.

I got to see some of Mommy's old friends again: Christy and her new fiance John, Sonya, Dave, Brittney, and Emma. There was always someone willing to hold me while we walked around Frederick. Who needs a stroller when Mom has friends who think I am super cute? This was the night we had dinner at a Spanish restaurant and I didn't get to bed until after 9 pm- my latest bedtime ever! I also slept on my tummy for the first time.

April Highlights

I have 4 teeth now and like to practice sitting, standing, and reading books, such as Dancing With Degas, Prayer for a Child, Hello Bee Hello Me, Are You My Mother, Five Little Ladybugs, and The Runaway Bunny. Mom thinks it's so cool that I love to spend playtime opening and closing my books and turning pages.

It's been raining a lot this month, so we don't take a lot of long walks. But Mommy did start a Mom's Group at church, so we still get out and meet new friends. I've also been babbling a lot, especially when I am tired and punchy. Mom and Dad get super excited when I say Mama, Dada, and Papa.

Mom is still making veggie and fruit purees. So far, I like sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, zuchinni, yogurt, apple, pear, prune, nectarine, chickpeas, peas, and green beans. I've also been feeding myself crackers, puffs, cereal, chicken, beef brisket, beans, tofu, eggs, purple grapes, and cheese. Basically, whatever mom is eating, she lets me try it, unless it has nuts or citrus.


I like to sit and play in my living room "rowboat". Mommy think it's good practice for when I go swimming in the pool.


Mom and Dad love biking- so they wanted to see if I would enjoy it too. At first, it was a bit unsettling. Dad insisted that I wear a bike helmet and it felt uncomfortable. But after a while, I got used to it and started to enjoy the ride. Now, I am so realxed that I fall asleep every time. I can't wait to get my very own bike!


I turned 8 months old on April 18th. Look how big I am compared to me at 1 month! Uh oh, I can hear mom now- wishing for another little baby.



Aunt Margo came to visit with Daddy's cousin Leslie, who is pregnant with triplet boys! Oh Boys! They all live in Georgia, so this was the first time we met, but I hope to visit them soon.

My First Easter

I've been keeping mommy busy lately, so she has been a bit behind on updating my blog. But she says she will try to stay on top of it and not, what's the word? ... procrastinate.


I found a polka-dotted egg at my church's Easter Egg Hunt. Mom said I couldn't have any of the candy, but that's okay. I was happy just playing with the eggs.


We spent Easter weekend visiting with Grandma and Grandpa in Akron. I was so surprised and happy that Auntie Jen, Uncle Eric, and Cousin Eli drove all the way up from Maryland to see me!

Cousin Tempy is so pretty... I could just look into her blue eyes forever.

Eli has just started solids and is bigger than me now!

Cousins Tempy and Eli met for the first time. I hope we all get to hangout together again very soon.

Columbus Zoo Trip

Mommy, Daddy, and I and some of our friends visited the animals at the zoo on Saturday. I got to see some real-life farm animals at the petting zoo. My favorite animals though were the parrots- I can get really close to them, they sing to me, and I love their brilliant colors.


It was a beautiful sunny day... we were happy!


I'm trying to hide from the paparazzi.


Before we left the zoo, we visited the elephants and submitted two name ideas for the baby born last week: Dim Sum and Peking. Mom promised that she would bring me back to see the baby elephant- but visiting hours are very short for now and the lines get very long. She said in another couple of weeks.

Cuteness

Mommy thinks this is the cutest picture of me ever and wants to show me off to the world.