Nine months!

family photo taken for our new clinic

Ian turned nine months yesterday. I can hardly believe it. Where has the time gone to? He is quite the little man these days, exploring the world on his own and expressing his likes and dislikes with vigor! He pulls to a stand easily and is able to balance himself holding on with just one hand (while looking around to see if someone is watching his amazing feat!). His little shins have the telltale bruises of a baby on the go. Thankfully we haven't seen too many other bruises... Yet. Thanks to the advice from my good friend Juliane, we have been teaching him to slide off the couch and bed feet first and on his tummy, I'm amazed that he already seems to be figuring it out! Poor Miles is not quite sure what to do with this baby on the go. He spends half of his time getting out of ian's way and the other half of his time wandering after him and trying to sneak kisses.
Ian is also getting quite vocal. No specific words yet but lots of different sounds and cries to express himself. He's had da da da down for quite some time now and jar this past week I think I heard some ma ma ma when he was upset and crying.
He LOVES peek a boo and will play with anyone. He was even playing it with Grammy when we were video conferencing last week! Ahh, the wonders of the internet.
He's become a good little eater... Eating most anything that stephen and I are having as long as it has some texture. He never did warm up to purees which I guess is a blassing because they were a lot of work to make (although now I have a freezer full of homemade purees... Anyone need some pureed beets?) He continues to breastfeed as well and I continue to pump while at work... I love to nurse but will be quite happy when I can put my pump away someday!
I think the best part of this age is his increasing pleasure in new activities. We have started going to the pool more often and Ian LOVES the swings at the park. Both of these activities bring big smiles to his face and cries of protest when we stop.
I'm still in awe of this little man and all of the amazing things he has learned how to do... And all in just 9 months!