Nine Months!

Brendan turned 9 months last week.  I can hardly believe my little man is already 3/4 of a year old!  He started crawling about a week before he turned 9 months and is enjoying his new found independence.  He also has finally settled into a good night time routine (ie he's sleeping soundly through the night).  He is a very easy going infant and loves to be held.  As for language, he is pretty specific with his Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma and uses it when he's tired, hungry or just needs to be held.  But when he's smiling and happy he then goes into his Da-Da-Da-Da's.  I think it's right on for the roles Stephen and I tend to take on as parents.  I tend to be the comforter and cuddler whereas Stephen is the energizer and playmate.  Another big milestone is that Brendan has finally decided that he likes to eat.  It's hard to believe he's maintained himself on breast milk for this long but clearly he's not suffering from malnutrition!
He has acquired lots of nick-names...  Bren-Bren (from Tiffany); muscle-man (from Papa), Sweet-pea (from Mommy) and of course Tank (from Papa and opposed by Grammy).
I haven't put him on an official scale recently but on a bathroom scale he weighed in at 22.8 pounds.  It's funny, Ian is just under 30# so they're  not that far apart.

Now, to give a little update on Ian...
He is such a little man these days.  His language is quite complex which has made me realized what an incredibly observant little boy he is.  He is constantly pointing out things to me that I would have otherwise missed completely.  He also has an incredible memory.  For instance, a few weeks ago I was talking about my Uncle Jack who died several years ago from cancer.  I told Ian that Uncle Jack had gone to be with the angels.  Ian solemnly nodded and that was then end of the conversation.  Then a few days ago when we were looking at Christmas decorations I pointed out an angel to Ian.  He looked at the angel and asked me where Uncle Jack was!  I was amazed that he remembered our conversation from before.
I am quite excited for Christmas this year.  Ian has asked Santa for a "truck toy" and a "plane toy" and is quite excited about getting presents.  I'll be sure to post lots of pictures!