9 Months!

I can't believe that we have known and loved Charlie longer than we waited for him (well, for him specifically).  He is officially 9 months old today, and the time has just flown. 

I can remember every detail of the day he was born like it was yesterday -- or at least those that I could remember the next day -- I'm still grateful for my epidural!  At the same time, though, I can't remember what our life was like before March 9.  What on earth did we do all day and why did we think we needed so much sleep?!?

To commemorate this 9 month-iversary of the start of our adventure, here is the latest Charlie update as of 12/9/09:

•Weight - 21 lbs. 7 oz (50-75th percentile)

•Length - 28.5" (50th percentile)

•Head - 45.9 cm (75th percentile)

•Teeth - 2 (bottom front)

•Hair - Dark blonde/light brown and still thin, but respectable

•Birthmarks - The stork bites on the back of his neck are almost fully covered by hair, and the potato shaped birthmark on his left shin is definite.  Plus, just Monday night I found his first freckle high on his forehead over his right eye.

•Naps - 2 per day (though the afternoon nap can be a battle)

•Bedtime - 7:30 to 8:00

•Waketime - 6:30 to 7:00

•Favorite Food - Grapes by far, but he loves just about everything -- even mediterranean and thai food!

•Favorite Song - Toes by the Zach Brown Band

•Favorite Dance - Self-taught: lie on your stomach, bury your face in the floor and wiggle all over!

•Favorite Toys - Links and Push Train

•Favorite Game - Chewing up magazines -- but still loves Peek-a-Boo

•Recent milestone -

• Standing and only holding self up with one hand
• Walking beyind his Push Train
• Cruising around coffee table or sofa -- and transferring from one piece of furniture to the next
• Trying to feed himself with a spoon
• Says "Dada" and "Donna"
• Riding in Big Boy Carseat
• Sporadically giving hugs (particularly first thing in the morning)

•Imminent milestones -

• Walking!
• "Mama" - hopefully!
• Top Teeth  

•Hero -  Daddy

•Personality -

• Even Goofier -  He loves to laugh and be surprised and wiggle and giggle.
• Active - Unfortunately, Charlie is not much of a cuddler.  He is sweet and loving, but would much rather climb all over you than hug you.
• Curious - He loves to check out new things and is always craning his little neck to discover the source of a noise or to see where something came from/went
• Morning Person - Charlie wakes up grinning and ready to go and can't wait to get to bed at night...definitely takes after his mom here.

Obviously Charlie has learned a lot over the past 9 months, but I'm willing to bet that Jason and I have learned more.  A few of our recent epiphanies:

• Sometimes it's easier to just let Charlie chew up a Victoria's Secret catalog than to try to entertain him while you make dinner.
• The world will not end if Charlie's clothes are already dirty when he arrives at Donna's in the morning.
• It's possible to go through an entire day without noticing that you have spit-up all over your jeans.
• Boston Terriers may allow babies to poke them in the eyes, pull their hair and pinch their ears, but they take it out on the parents.

Here are a few shots from our 9 month celebration this morning (also known as playtime before work).

Checking out the new day

Loving life