WGL, 9 Months

William George turned 9 months old back on April 12th.  His 9 month photos were taken a couple of days later, and I have finally edited them. 

At your nine month check-up, George, you measured 27 1/4 inches long, putting you in the 75 percentile.  You weighed 18 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces (50th),  and your head circumference was 18  (75-95%).  You have come a long way from your 10-15 percentile stats. 

You wear 9-12 month clothes, although some of those are getting snug and too short.  We were unable to get your size three shoes onto your feet at Easter, but a four seems too long.  Speaking of Easter, your outfit (worn here) is 18 months.  You are a chunky monkey.

Your pediatrician approved introduction of some foods, since your current diet consists of cereal-enriched formula and carrots.  You are unable to tolerate any food additives, and therefore, your foods are limited to basic vegetables and water (i.e., the ingredient list must read vegetable and water -- no other ingredients allowed).  So far, we have only identified carrots and green beans, and you have not been enthusiastic about the latter.  After the green light for food, we introduced eggs, since your allergy testing revealed that you do not have an egg allergy.  The eggs were a complete and total food FAIL.  We waited a few weeks and tried to introduce organic egg whites, and, if possible, the response was worse.  We get it, George:  no eggs.  Since your sisters LOVED eggs and ate them every morning for two years, we were slow learners with you.  Otherwise, you continue to have a bottle every three hours... like having an newborn for nine months!  It's a good thing you're so cute. 

 

Activity-wise, you are standing all the time.  You crawl from room-to-room, but you prefer to stand and cruise.  You seem much more interested in walking than crawling, and we think you do not like the crawling since you are the only one in the house doing that activity.  You also climbed a step!  You were heading to the landing to follow your sisters upstairs.  I have already written that you are interested in your sisters' toys now.  They dutifully try to redirect you back to your toys, but I did break down and find an infant stuffed animal/doll for you to have when they play with their dolls.  Skip has strictly forbidden photos.  Honestly, it could pass as a stuffed animal, and, since your primary goal seems to be to destroy the doll, your gender role seems to be firmly intact.

You also really like the kitchen, but that's probably driven by the fact that you have full access to those toys.  You pull up at the kitchen sink, and you stand and play with the kitchen, turning the nobs and reaching for plates, etc., for a long time.  You also like musical instruments.  You have a LeapFrog drum that you especially enjoy hitting.  I secretly want you to play the drums and can easily envision a full drum kit in the basement.  With your long extremities, I think you would be a natural.  For now, we are letting you try the harmonica (below). 

You have given us nine months of absolute joy, and we look forward to watching your growth with wonderment every day.