Oh Happy Miracle..., Sweet as the cherry on top of my favorite cherry...

Sweet as the cherry on top of my favorite cherry pie with added sugar sprinkled for good measure— you’re that sweet little girl.

We’ve made it to 9 months and have the battle wound to prove it (see under eye)!!

So here’s what you’re up to…

We’ve met two new friends this month— toothy number one and toothy mcgee numero dos. I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting for these little girls to arrive. All the fussing the drooling, the restless nights, and they’re finally here! Whew! But with two new teeth, come many more teeth. So I’m waiting for the next round with hesitation, but excitement to see that little face of yours continue to grow into the beautiful little girl I see peeking right around the corner.

It’s interesting to watch how different you are in different situations. When I drop you off in the gym or church nursery, you literally crawl away from me with zero hesitation. The gym ladies have coined you “Ms. Independent” as you want no help from them. You play and crawl around like it’s your own little play pen and all the other children are just there to fill the space. But when we’re home, Ms. Independent turns into “Needy Nelly”. You refuse to spend but only a few moments alone and then you demand my full attention. You become frustrated, bored, stressed. I’ve said from the beginning you hate being home. Daddy likes to say you’re just too smart to sit around at home all day.

Waving hey, and actually following with the sweetest little southern “Heeeey”. You literally crawl around all day and say, “Hey, Hey, Hey,” and every once in a while will throw in a, “Hi!”. Cutest ever. You’re also saying Daddy like he’s the most important person in your life. Your entire being lights up when Daddy comes home. Sometimes I’ll tell you ahead of time that he’s coming home and you perk up and start looking around for him. I can already tell the whole Daddy’s Little Girl title fits you just fine. I’ve mentioned before, but you’re also saying Kitty and Mama regularly and have said Nana and Papa once or twice. Just recently you’ve started speaking almost as if you have your own language. While you play with your toys you’ll talk to them almost like you’re having a conversation.

Your eating habits continue to improve. Thanks to Baby-Led weaning, without even examining what I’m giving you, you will grab for it and chomp it down. Your favorite foods are chicken, cheese, and definitely sweet potatoes with cinnamon. I can say with confidence that you are getting more than enough food in that tummy of yours, but man are you itty bitty child.

At 9 months you’re only 16.2 pounds. It-tttty girly!

With your healthy eating habits have come better sleep!! I say better hesitantly because for some reason I feel like I’m going to jinx it if I talk about it. You’re going to sleep at 8pm and waking for one feeding at 5am, then down until about 8:30am. Sure some days are better than others, but this is typically how it works and I’m LOVING this extra sleep!

Your new way of grabbing attention in the room is by holding your finger up when I say, “Who’s number 1 Eliana?” You throw your finger in the air to make sure everyone knows it’s you. You’re number one!

We’re still walking around with mama’s help, but you can fly up and down the hallway with just one of my hands. You’ve managed to get in about 4 or 5 steps alone, but you’re still hesitant to take that leap of faith and go for it. I feel it in my bones that it’s just around the corner because you’re definitely filling that courage tank quickly. Just last week you took off to the stairs and up and up you climbed, all the way to the top.

I couldn’t believe what I was watching!