nine months

Each month seems to fly by faster than the next. I know I say something like this on every one of Brother's month-birthday posts, but I can't believe how quickly he's growing. It's delightful to see his own unique personality shine more and more.

Right now Brother is:

sleeping through the night more and more often

starting the clingy i-love-mommy-and-want-to-be-near-her stage

chirping "Da-da!" or "Da!" when he sees his Daddy

playing with Little Man and his toys

getting bored with baby toys

trying to get into the Daddy-Little Man wresting matches

getting bored with baby toys

working on growing his two new top teeth

still putting almost everything in his mouth (yes, even that pine cone)

enjoying an ever broadening range of finger foods

delighting in blowing his baby food all over and making a huge mess

beginning to understand "no" and stop what he's doing when told "no"

pulling himself up on almost anything he can get his hands on

trying to travel while pulled up on furniture

falling and getting frustrated

walking with help

vocalizing along with music

learning to recognize "nose"

getting enough hair that I'm afraid I'll have to cut it before his birthday

charming the world with his winsome smile

sweet fellow, I treasure

each day I have to see you grow

every night I get to hold you sleeping

the smiles shared, the laughs they spark

the moments in between