Nine Months!

This Monday marked Beau's nine month birthday. 

And today we headed to the pediatrician for his well baby checkup.  Do you know what the best part of the nine month check up is? 

NO SHOTS! 

 

That's right.  You just go in and hang out with the doctor and make sure all is well.  Ahhhhh...

Beau's pediatrician, Dr. Pamela Richard (she's the best!)

It appears that Beau had a bit of a growth spurt recently.  While his weight is still hovering in the 25th-50th percentile, his height is now just above the 75th.  Looks like we've got a long and lean one on our hands! 

And now, for your viewing pleasure, a few shots from the last week. 

Hanging out in my pajama pants.  I'm such a big boy! 

Crawling...it's what I do. 

Climbing the stairs.  I LOVE this! 

My new favorite toy!  A big ole dump truck! 

Mmmmm...

Beau had his first popsicle the other day. 

It was immediately followed by his first brain freeze.  Doh! 

I'm learning too

Beau has marked a lot of milestones in the last month or so and I am so proud of him.  However, I'm learning that these milestones aren't exactly what I expected them to be. 

Crawling...

What I thought it meant - My little bugger is getting to be stronger and more independent.  It's so cute. 

What I have discovered - I crawl almost as much as he does; however, my knees are old and not up for the task.  I am battered and bruised and exhausted.  Gates are worthless - he can knock them down with his freakish strength (Ok, not ALL of them...but I have seen him do it).  Sometimes I wish he would just sit down. 

Feeding himself...

What I thought it meant - Mark another notch in the "Mr. Independent" belt.  Now he can enjoy cheerios and little bits of banana and mango.  Hooray for my healthy eater! 

What I have discovered - Sure he can feed himself Cheerios.  But he can also feed himself pet hair, pine straw, dirt, etc.  If I thought my floors were clean before, Beau is constantly reminding me that they are full of "little treasures" perfect for stuffing in a little mouth.

Climbing...

What I thought it meant - Sure, we'll have to put up that gate at the stairs, but my little dude can climb up the stairs.  He's a bruiser, but he's so talented. 

What I have discovered - Gates are worthless (see above).  Also, climbing is not limited to the stairs.  It is fun to climb anything above ankle height.  This includes the fireplace, the tub, and Murphy.  Get in his way, he will climb up you.  I'm not kidding. 

Understanding that "no" means "no"...

What I thought it meant - How fantastic!  He hears "no" and he knows it means to stop what he is doing.  Genius.  And, we don't even have to scream "no" anymore.  Just a few shakes of the head and he usually gets the gist. 

What I have discovered - Yep, he knows that "no" means.  And sure, he actually listens most of the time.  But, he knows what "no" means.  He might not be able to say "no" but he sure can shake his head!  "Beau, here are your peas."  Violently shakes head.  "Beau, time for bed."  Violently shakes head.  "Beau, that's Murphy's bowl."  Violently shakes head.  Who knew he understood us so well...or that he was so opinionated! 

Eight Months!!

Look at those cheeks!!  Well, another month has come and gone.  Man, the time is really flying and Beau is growing up so fast.  Crawling and pulling to standing have become so passe'.  While crawling is still his main mode of transportation, he's moved on to "cruising" - walking while holding on to the sofa/chest/window sill/Murphy.  He needs a little incentive (ie, the remote control) to get moving, but once he realizes he can do it, he gets so excited. 

Here he is watching "Sid the Science Kid."  Little dude loves that show.  He bounces up and down everytime he hears the theme song or "I'm Looking for my Friends."  (Ok, on a sidenote, look at that cleft chin!  Is this Billy's kid or what?) 

But he's not real big on tv - it usually only holds his attention for about five minutes - and he's got so much extra energy so I took his to a Gymboee class the other day.  Oh. My. God.  He LOVED it!  He wasn't particularly interested in the games the teacher tried to lead while on the mate, so he took off for the other equipment.  He discovered an incline and a slide, which he loved.  And then...he discovered THE STAIRS.  Without any prompting he put two hands on the first stair, then he threw up a knee and...before he knew it he had climbed up four steps all by himself.  Sheesh.  Luckily it seems he still has not discovered the stairs in our home.  I hope he doesn't for a long, long time. 



Oh, and now that he can get from Point A to Point B with ease he has become quite the explorer.  His new favorite place is his cabinet.  (We have one cabinet in the kitchen dedicated to all things Beau - bottles, formula, food, etc.) 

And it's not enough that he has to dig in the cabinet but he takes everything out of the cabinet and then crawls around with his "treasures" throughout the day.  I've been finding bottle caps, spoons, and medicine syringes all over the house.  Oh well - que cera!!