9 month well baby

This week we had Gabriella's 9 month well baby appointment and her pediatrician is really happy with her growth and development! She is gaining weight and growing steadily and continues to get on the growth chart for her actual age, not just her adjusted age.

Her stats:
Weight- 15lbs 12 oz, this puts her in the 5% for 9 month olds, 30% for 6 month olds
Height- 27 1/2 inches, this puts her in the 10% for 9 month olds, 50th for 6 month olds

Developmentally, she is also catching up to her actual age. At 9 months old, pediatricians like to see that babies recognize their parents and familiar adults, recognize favorite toys, copies sounds and gestures, points at objects or people, watches things fall, plays peek-a-boo, puts things in mouth, moves things from hand to hand, picks up things with thumb and index finger, sits with out support, can get into sitting position, and has started crawling or rocking back and forth on all fours.

Gabriella is able to do most of these tasks! She certainly recognizes us and family, she has favorite toys, just this week has started to really understand the concept of peek-a-boo (who knew it was so complicated?? :)) and will pull a blanket over her eyes and remove it when asked, "where's Gabriella?", she will put things in her mouth and sits with out support.

Her physical therapist has given us some good tips for encouraging crawling and she is also just starting to try and get herself up into sitting position independently. She hasn't quite figured out how to do it yet, but we can see her mind working!

This puts her at just about 1-1 1/2 months delayed developmentally instead of 3 which is just amazing to us. We certainly put a lot of effort into helping her grow but Gabriella's personality has really helped her thrive and catch up. She is headstrong and determined, gets frustrated when she can't do something, and is so observant. These traits will probably drive us crazy as she gets older, but for now, it's pushing her along!

xo,
Mary

Raspberries

Perhaps you saw this post title and thought to yourself, "Aww, I am going to see adorable pictures of the precious little Gabriella eating raspberries!"

I am sorry to say that no, she's not eating raspberries, instead she's blowing them. And blowing them. Over and over, all day long. She does it and then looks to see who's watching... if she has a laughing audience, she continues. She thinks she is so funny and if she has food, water, or milk in her mouth, well, she's just thrilled! Today she blew raspberries at a little girl in Target and when the little girl couldn't stop laughing, Gabriella was beyond pleased. And there was a repeat performance at the grocery store for the teenaged clerk who also thought it was the best thing she's ever seen. I will say, this girl knows how to pick her audience!

She is really funny and she's only 9 months old so we'll worry about manners another day. For now, if you run into us, watch out!  You may get sprayed.

We've spent a lot of time outside these past few days soaking up the beautiful weather. Gabriella has been loving her little pool and loves just playing with her toys on a blanket outside. She's so nosy and will stop playing and look at every single car, biker, and person that goes by.  When she wears her large sunhat, she truly looks like a character from a TV show... the nosy little lady that wants to be in everyone's business!

"Do we know that person?"

Ready for summer

We have a busy but fun weekend ahead! And only 2 weeks until our family vacation!!
xo,
Mary

Gabriella and Ben

We are so in love with Ben!!  He is sweet, cuddly, and so adorable!  Gabriella is very interested in him and I can't wait to spend more time with him!

Photos from the hospital....

Ben is so calm and sweet and crazy girl is in the background...

Already trying to grab him

"Aunt Sandy, please give me that baby"

Having to be held back by Nana

And now from our first visit seeing Ben at home!

We are so crazy about this little guy and can't wait to see what the future holds for him!  We certainly have years of fun ahead of us with these two!!
xo,
Mary

9 months old

Our little pumpkin is 9 months old!

Time is flying....

Month 8 brought us lots of laughs, a baby who can sit, sleeps through the night, a bit more hair, and a new cousin!!  We have had playdates, visits to the library, gone swimming, concerts, and a little girl who knows exactly what she wants. She gives the best smiles and laughs but will let us know in a heartbeat if she doesn't like something. She still may be little but that personality is BIG. And we love it.
Her loves:
-The cat. Not sure the feeling is 100% mutual but Gabriella doesn't seem to care.
-Food. All of it (except broccoli but we'll keep trying)
-Noisy toys, and she'll bang her quiet toys in order for them to become noisy :)
-Water. The tub, the pool, her sippy cup. She loves them all!
-Other kids. She loves other children and babies and we love seeing her interact. She smiles, reaches, sits and "talks" with them and we love it.

Checking out photos of Ben

In the waiting room with Nana and Grampy

Trying to take Ben's balloon

Homemade outfit from Nana T

Relaxing by the pool

xo,
Mary