3/4 of a Year...

Yep, nine months...already. Kinsley turned 9 months on Saturday, and there are so many fun things that she is doing right now...where to begin...

In November, we left the Goddard School and transitioned Kinsley to an in-home care in Dunwoody with Ms. Becky three days a week. And nope, I am not part-time, so the other two days a week are split between her Bee-Bee on Mondays and May-May on Tuesdays. We are sooo blessed. So far, things have been wonderful. Change can be a little unsettling, but so far this change has been the right decision! In fact, we hadn't been to the pediatrician since October...that is, until last week. But it's cold season, so oh well...couldn't stay well forever. Kinsley is in a warm, loving home, and is part of what we refer to as "the girls club"...4-5 girls, ranging in age from Kinsley being the youngest up to 6 years old. Kins smiles everytime we go over there and I think she is making some great new girlfriends in the process...and learning from them as well. They all talk and laugh and play around her...and she loves watching them. This was a huge change in routine for us throughout this last month, but so far it is going oh so well!


We have her official 9mo check-up later this month, so no "stats" yet..but when we went to the pediatrician last week for the ear infections & cold, she was 19 lbs 6 oz with clothes on...wow. Big girl!


Here are some other things that I have taken note of...a few of Kinsley's new favorites at 9 months:

• Teething: Kinsley finally got that first "phantom" tooth (we had been waiting on that tooth for a while...she's been teething since August) on December 2nd...I picked her up after work, we were playing at home before dinner (her upside-down tickle game), and there it was, had just broken the surface. We see a little bit more of that tooth everyday...and a little less sleep every night.

• And speaking of teeth: she loves her RazBerry Teether - seriously, this thing is so awesome...what's not to like about hands-free teething that looks like a yummy raspberry and a pacifier?

• Being in our arms. What can I say...she is a cuddle-bug and just loves to be held. And when not being held, she loves to just play. All the time. The game ahhh-booo is a favorite (a.k.a. "peekaboo")...see previous blog post for clarification...and LOTS of baby laughter...

• Naptime: her 30 minute cat naps...she's the queen of taking short little bursts of naps and then begin ready to go! But boy, can mommy get a lot done on the weekends during one of her rare 1.5 hour naps! I have also tried to get in the habit on Saturday or Sunday to just let her sleep on top of my chest in our chair in the den for at least one of her longer naps. It "forces" me to just stop and relax, and she actually sleeps really hard...just like she used to when she was a baby....her head right over my heart. Both of our chests rising and falling as we breathe. It is pure peace...

• Leaning back on our laps to look upside down, and then being tickled...under the neck and on her thighs...those seem to be the two most ticklish spots for now. Oh how I love when she gets to giggling...

• Talking: "da-da"..." ra-ra" ... "ga-ga" ... "ba-ba"...and sometimes even growling...like a little tiger cub. Here's an example of her chatting up a storm one day...I think that we are going to have quite the talker on our hands...

• Music: she loves music. And when mommy and daddy start dancing in some overly-silly manner to this music, she just likes it even more! Our favorite right now is the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack...it's basically on constant repeat...but it's only once a year, so 'tis the season!

• When Kinsley wants to get from Point A to Point B...she...rolls. Crawling seems to frustrate her, so she just starts rolling. It sounds crazy, until my mom reminded me that I did the very same thing when I was her age. Never crawled. Just rolled and rolled, and then one day I pulled up to stand, and started walking shortly after. Maybe that trait is passed down from generation to generation??? We shall see...

• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Baby Einstein. She doesn't watch anything else...honestly, because most of the newer cartoons on TV today are, well, just plain weird. But she can be in the fussiest mood, and either of these fantastic pieces of children's material will bring out her biggest smile! Gotta love Disney...

• Her new rubber-duckie bathtub...this thing is awesome. In fact, the week that we ordered it, I saw two other friends on Facebook post photos of their little one's in the same tub! It has become a new "must have."

So much to look forward to this December before Christmas! Going to see Santa, holiday parties, trying to do lots of last minute shopping (oops!), first Christmas Eve church service, and mommy's birthday (yes, 31...sigh) are all right around the corner!