Lucy: 11 Months

This little girl is as busy as ever and hardly sits still.  Lucy can stand for a good amount of time without holding onto anything.  Sometimes she will even squat up and down.  She has attempted a couple steps here and there, but has yet to take her first real steps.  Lucy learned how to crawl up the two flights of stairs in our house and had a tumble down one flight of them earlier today (I still feel so, so terrible!).  She is a tough girl, though, and bounces right back after any fall or bonk - which happens quite frequently these days.

Her bottom right front tooth finally broke through!  I thought the neighboring tooth was on its way, but it hasn't made an appearance yet.  Lucy continues to be a really good eater, and I am amazed at the things she can manage with her one tooth and gums.  She has mastered the use of her sippy cup, which makes her look more like a toddler and less of baby.  But her small size definitely keeps her looking more baby-like.  Just last week we moved her into size 3 diapers and size 6 to 9 month clothing.  Itty bitty thing!

Lucy loves to say "uh oh," although recently it has turned more into "uh uh uh uh oh."  She is really good at waving and loves to wave to her daddy when he talks to her on the phone.  She lights up whenever she sees or hears him.  Reading books is one of Lucy's favorite parts of the day, and she loves to turn the pages on her own.  In fact, throughout the day I will find her sitting with a book just turning the pages back and forth.

These months are passing all too quickly!  I still can't believe that in just a couple weeks our baby girl will be 1.  Already!?  But if there is anything that I have learned in motherhood, it is that it just gets better with time.  Every day I find myself loving Lucy more than the day before.  Watching her grow, learn and develop is absolutely part of my greatest joy in life!

Lucy: 10 Months

I'm a little slow getting this update out, but better late than never!

If I could use one word to describe Lucy at this stage it would be busy!!  This little girl is a busy body - she is constantly moving, wiggling, crawling, standing and looking around.  Constantly!  I love watching her maneuver herself around.  Lucy has great balance and can even stand on her own for a few seconds if you get her in the right position.  She is not walking, but "cruises" around using whatever is within her reach to help her get around on her feet.

This darling 10-month-old is showing us more emotion and personality.  A few times she has burst into tears as she watched her daddy leave for school.  It melts my heart.  She has the cutest laugh and loves to smile.  She is a becoming more aware of her surroundings and is a little nervous around new or unfamiliar faces.  But give her a couple minutes and she warms right up.  She loves to drop things - toys, food, clothes - anything she can get her hands on.  Lucy also loves to point, grab your nose and inspect your teeth.

Just a few days ago she started saying "dada" and "nana."  Her babbles are starting to sound more conversational.  Lucy discovered a favorite toy!  It is a darling felt elephant that her 7-year-old cousin, Megan, made for her when she was born.  She loves to carry this elephant everywhere she goes and just smiles and giggles when she holds it.  When I check on her during her nap I will even sometimes find her clutching it.  So sweet.

We love this girl more each day and are so grateful she is ours!

Lucy: 9 Months

weight: 14lbs 8.5oz

length: 26.25"

head circumference: 16.75"

Don't let her measurements fool you!  Although Lucy is a tiny 9-month-old (off the charts in weight and between 5th & 10th percentiles in length), she is big when it comes to strength, personality and capacity.

At 9 months old this darling little girl has become quite the adventurer.  She crawls everywhere and loves pulling herself up to stand on pretty much anything, including walls!  Lucy can say "baba" and "mama," although those words really seem to have little meaning to her.  Clapping and waving are her newest skills, although waving still takes some coaxing.  She loves to mimic her dad - during dinner they will tilt their head back & forth at each other.  It's the sweetest thing to watch.  Her best smiles are definitely for daddy.  Believe it or not, Lucy does not have any teeth!  But so far that hasn't stopped her from gumming all sorts of solid foods.  She is a pretty good eater when you catch her at the right moment.  Lucy still nurses 4-5 times a day and has decided that she is not at all a fan of bottles.  

In addition to exploring, Lucy loves to read!  She doesn't really have a favorite toy (in fact, she's way more interested in all things "non-toy" at the moment... e.g. brooms, shoes, cords, outlets, etc), but when we pull out a book, her face sure lights up.  We read two or three books before each nap and bedtime.  Morning naps are becoming a little bit of a struggle, and I'm wondering if she might be ready to move to 1 nap a day.  Knowing how to stand up in her crib also hasn't helped.  Apparently there are too many other fun things to do, who wants to sleep?!  While daytime sleep is a bit sporadic, Lucy is a great nighttime sleeper - usually 7pm to 7am.  With or without great sleep during the day, she is such a happy baby.  We absolutely love our baby girl!