Nine Months

Holy maniac, we have a wild boy on our hands.  Cooper was nine months this past Sunday and it is amazing how fast the developing is going these days.

Skills:
- Standing up unassisted.   From the middle of the floor, with nothing to pull up on, the kid can stand up and balance for a good minute +!
- Speed crawling
- Stair climbing
- Lots of babbles, squeals and voice exercises
- Finger foods

One thing that has been consistent about Cooper since he was very small is that he calms down instantly when he is outdoors.  He LOVES being outside.  In fact just last night, he woke up in a particularly bad state from teething and nothing calmed him down.  Except a walk outside to look at the moon and stare at the trees.  Sweet little outdoorsman.

He has started to laugh at things, people and concepts which is so much fun.  For example, he laughs at the same point in this one particular book we read, every single time.  It's wild to think that he has opinions on what is funny and what isn't.  He laughs at us all the time and the overwhelming joy that he shows when we pick him up at school is the BEST.

Speaking of school, he's a big fan!  He's gotten very comfortable with Debbie and Chelsea and they say he is always happy and easy going.  He's started to play with the other kids and you can just tell he's enjoying all the stimulation and new toys.  And apparently he is a master napper while at school.  Of course, isn't that always the way?

We still do two naps totaling about 3 hours total, split differently daily.  It's a challenge to keep him up past 6:30pm and he generally sleeps until 5:30ish.  I'm convinced were going through a pretty major leap / teething because we've had some cranky days of refusing food, night terrors and interrupted sleep but I'm hopeful we'll come out the other side.

These days, here are the many face of Cooper:
Comedian:  He's hilarious (I'm sure everyone thinks their kid is hilarious, but really! He's funny!).  We play these "who can make the craziest noise" games back and forth and he's just a hoot.  He and his daddy play all sorts of funny games and he has us in stitches all of the time.
Flirt: Man, this kid has timing down PAT.  He is a master at the coy, shy-draw-them-in glance and then flashes a HUGE twinkling grin.  It's infectious and everywhere we go, strangers fall victim to his charm.
Stubborn boy:  When he doesn't want to do something, don't even try to make him.  Not eat.  Not try something new.  Nothing.  He's gotten VERY cheeky at figuring out how to still whine out the side of his mouth while clamping his lips shut so I can't squeeze another bite in.
Snuggler:  My most favorite thing that he does is when he comes at you like a cat, and uses his face and head to nuzzle your face and body.  When he does this, I know that he wants me to pull him close and snuggle his head under my chin.  It is like a drug.  I'm addicted.  More bubba more!

He has evolved from Buggy to Bubba for me.  Mr. Man is still what his daddy calls him.

9 Month stats:
Weight: 21lbs 12 oz - 75th percentile
Height:  27.5 inches - 45th percentile
Head: 90th percentile.
Teeth:  5 - two top, three bottom. It's a bizarrely lopsided, unique little grill!

He's just a happy kid these days.  And that makes us so very happy.

Home Depot with dad

Very serious about my tools.

Playing outside at school

Sanding man!

Beach days with Dad and Nonna

I refuse to sit still on my changing table these days.  Keep up people.

Here they go with the dumb hats again.

Debbie was so proud of my standing at school!

Just doin' what dad does!

Beach days are the best