Sam & Amelia

Today you had your 9 month check up with Dr. Sanders.

Weight: 20 lbs (50th percentile)
Height: 29 in (75th percentile)

You got the first of two flu shots today. We have to go back next month for the second half because that’s just the way they do it for infants! I wasn’t expecting you to get any shots today, but you did. You cried for about two seconds, then quickly forgot about the pain.

You also had your finger pricked for an iron test. You didn’t seem to mind that at all. You were very compliant, letting the nurse catch your blood in a little vial. Afterwards, she put a cotton ball on your finger to stop the bleeding, then covered it with a band-aid.
The nurse warned me to take off the band-aid when we got to the car so Sam wouldn’t play with it.
The door had barely shut behind us as we were leaving the waiting room and I noticed the band-aid was gone. Yep, you had eaten it off your finger and were enjoying the nice cotton & plastic treat from the nurse!

Sam,
Once again, you have changed so much in one month! You are so close to crawling. You’ve taken a step forward once or twice, but not continuously. Scooting backwards and stretching are your primary means of getting something that’s out of your reach. You’re very good at transitioning from lying down to sitting up. You’re also beginning to pull yourself up on people, laundry baskets, in your crib, and on the fireplace!

No more toothless grin! Teeth #4 (top) and #5 (bottom) have emerged this month – and just in time! You’re eager to eat anything that’s put in front of you! We gave you finger foods and let you feed yourself bananas and bread last week, while in Minnesota. You did great and enjoyed the new foods. Last weekend you ate small pieces of green beans, broccoli, and apple.

Today you started waving at the doctor, during your checkup. It was so cute. You really like to show off for the doctor, ESPECIALLY after mom tells him that you’re haven’t reached a certain milestone! Ha! When you hear music or get really excited, you’ll clap your hands or move them up and down. Maybe that was a misunderstood wave!?! However, today’s gesture was different from what you’ve been doing the last few weeks – one arm moving up and down while looking right at the doctor!

Is this how a 9 month old naps? I didn’t read about this in my parenting books! When I peeked in your room to check on your during your morning nap, I couldn’t see you. You were doubled-over yourself in the corner of the crib by the door. I’m not sure if you slept like that for the whole hour or not! And were you holding your ear the whole time!?!

I love all your pictures, but the ones of you sleeping are oh-so-sweet. This was taken after I picked you up at Ron & Barbara’s house several weeks ago. You never woke up when I moved you to the car and then into your crib when we got home.