9 Months of Caris

Lil' C turned 9 months this week. WHAT?? Which officially means her life outside my belly has exceeded her life within. (p.s. I'm glad your out :)


And our 9 month-er is looking much more like a big girl these days. I think appearance-wise, the last month or so has seen the most dramatic change. The 'baby-double(triple) chin' is vanishing; although the VERY pinchable, squeezable cheeks remain :) Becoming a little girl right before our eyes. Literally, she woke up from a 3 hour 'growing nap' and I saw a different girl than our infant. Hard to believe.


Some fun Lil' C facts at the 9th month of life:

- C is saying 'MAMA' very clearly, and putting it to use appropriately. Says 'DADA' or 'PAPA' pretty clearly, though not on command:) We also are fairly certain she said 'BALL' while playing with her favorite toy which is in fact, her balls; I mean we are pretty convinced as it was right on.


- Caris will also say 'Buh By' and wave her little rubber-band hands when leaving a room. Love love love this.


- My favorite new thing is receiving 'Caris kisses'; lil' C loves to hug mom and plant a big kiss on her cheek :) PRECIOUS.


- Caris weighed in at 20lbs 15oz at her check-up (granted she may have lost at leas a pound in BM's that morning...those were some fun diapers!) and measured at 28.75 inches; making her 80% and 85% respectively. The doctor's assessment at the check-up was a 'very healthy girl'


- FOOD is by far Caris' current favorite thing. She is feeding herself beautifully and we introduced more finger foods into her diet last week, which she took to right away and quickly perfected. Girl's got a great little pincher grasp. She already earned the unofficial-but-no-doubt-highly-coveted-title of 'Best Eater' in her school (including the next class up. oh my.) Girl loves to eat. Especially Cheeri-O's. Who knew a handful of O's could keep the little one so entertained for so long?? Thanks to our new 'Sassy Seat' (from Grandpa JJ), Lil' C is content in the kitchen!


- Caris' current favorite toys: her new chairs, of the rocking (painted by Grammy Jane herself! it's ADORABLE) and reading/lounging variety (from Auntie TJ!) - she loves to try to climb in them and will rock rock rock in her rocker and read read read in her reading chair; her shopping cart (thanks Grandma Susie!) and walker/rider (courtesy of Aunt Natalie and Uncle Jordan) - lil' C will stand and play for up to 30 mintues with her shopper and she's even managed a few steps with her walkers; BALLS - the senso-balls, her sports bag (from our trainer, Aunt Shelby), and ball popper (love it Aunt Alli!); her drum set (from Uncle Bobby, along with drum lessons, right??) - which teaches her the ABC's in Spanish AND English, a music lover for sure; and her cute little riding pony (thanks Santa! ) - which Caris quickly figured out how to operate and bounce, bounce bounces. Caris, you also love playing with your blocks and baby doll (who you crack up at! so funny).


- Outdoor time is a favorite, all though we have to be very bundled lately! As seen previously, Caris LOVES to swing, ride in her wagon, and walk in her Bjorn.


In your 7-9th months of life, Caris, you became a professional road-tripper:

- We traveled to Albany for Thanksgiving, Aunt Shelby's graduation from McMurry (YAY!!), and for pre-Christmas. Traveled to Gonzales for Christmas. Drove to Dallas for birthday's. College Station to visit Aunt Alli. Visited Texas City. And ventured up to Waco to take in football and basketball games.


- You experienced your first major and minor snowfalls, blizzard and white-out included.


- You went on several country walks, your first basketball game (which Baylor won!!), met your friend Cambell, and found out about several new friends arriving. You had lots of family visit and were a wonderful hostess.


- You had your first Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years and celebrated well.


In short, you have been busy. And growing. And learning. And loving life.

And we LOVE your little life.