Mara at 9 months

Mara's 9 month check up had her measuring at 18lbs 15.5 (58%) oz and 26 1/2 inches (18%).  (I think the numbers are off because it was a trainee measuring her, and she appeared as though she hadn't grown in length at all). Either way, Doc said everything looked good.  We're adding cereal to her current routine of fruit/veggies at lunch and cereal + fruit/veggies at dinner.

She tried some whole peas and carrots--those ended up coming out the other end still whole (in a blowout no less).  She gummed a noodle for a while without much success, but she really liked her first taste of buttered toast.

She has 2 teeth.  She plays really well by herself, but she always has to know what is going on with everyone else.  If she is awake when Daddy comes home, she hears the door open from the garage and she strains her neck to see him come in.

In the morning, after Mara wakes up and eats, she lays in bed and plays with Daddy while Mom gets ready.  Most days this includes listening to Gangham style on the phone--she holds it still until the song is over.  Other than that video, she really doesn't care much about TV--she'd rather be exploring things on the floor.

Her naps still vary from 30 minutes to 2 hours (rarely), but she sleeps through the night.  Now that she can roll over, she usually sleeps on her stomach.  Sean says he loves when he goes in to get her in the morning and her little head pops up and she gives a great big smile.

She is getting more hair, and sometimes in the sunlight it looks a little red, and in the humidity, there seems to be a little curl.  It will be fun to see as it grows.

She absolutely loves kids.  We were at the grocery store, and I was putting items on the belt and Mara was facing backwards and she started to smile.  When I turned around, there was a kid standing behind us, and she just started laughing (he was looking at me like--what's her deal).  Claire, Brody and Max love to give her love.  I think she and Mav have started to develop their own language.  If no one else is in the room, their expressions to each other are pretty funny.

She also finds Diesel very amusing.  When we get home every day to let him out, she won't take her eyes off of him, and kicks her feet in excitement.  In the mornings, when laying in bed, she pokes at him and he takes it.

We're looking forward to nicer weather and time outside and for Mara to start crawling...some day.