Stellyn's 9 Month Milestone Minutes

2.16.2010--9 Month Appointment (a week early:)):

• Weight: 17lbs 2oz (25-50th percentile)
• Height: 27.75 inches (75th percentile)
• Head: 43.5cms (50-75th percentile)
• Shots: Hepatitis B #3
• Dr. Richter said she looks great overall. She did drop below her curve in weight but she really thinks that the "curve" of average weights is greatly driven by formula fed babies. After 6 months FAR more babies are formula fed than are breastfed so in short formula fed babes drive this "curve" and consume way more calories than do breastfed. She also alluded to this contributing to some of the obesity epidemic. Nonetheless, she directed me to go see Jan Ellen, the lactation consultant (who is supposed to be AWESOME) just to see if she can offer anything up. I have been waking Mei up for the past 2 weeks just so I can nurse at like midnight to get some extra milk in her...Jan Ellen is probably not going to approve but what can I do? Her brother is constantly distracting her during her daily feedings.

Foods:

• Mei is still an EATER! She is definitely moving away from baby food. I am lucky to get a jar in her a day. She much prefers to feed herself table food. This is about the time Aston put an end to the jars too. We don't hold back. We give her everything. With Aston we were very cautious about the "common allergen" foods like eggs/soy/nuts/fish. We don't give her straight up eggs, for example, but aren't worried about giving her french toast with tones of cooked egg in it. I read this article this week...and apparently they are not so concerned about this anymore.

Signs:

• We started signing during this 8th month. She's kinda a star signer so far (Aston took a bite longer to catch on to most of these). She learned So! Big! (2 hands above he head) first and did it right away.
• Next when I tried to teach her 'more' (finger tips together in a clapping motion) she was immediately confused and started raising one hand above her head so we went with it for a while. It was just too cute to make her stop. It looked like she was calling out for a waiter everytime she would finish a bite of food...here's a clip

• A couple weeks later she did catch on and started to sign 'more' somewhat correctly...one hand open (right hand) and one fist (left hand)...I guess because I taught her and she was copying me exactly. She learned to clap in that same week and it's the same motion. Aston did the same when he learned 'more' and to clap...so cute.
• I have introduced drink, milk, all done, please, thank you. When I ask her to sign any of these she usually claps or throws one or both hands in the air...so she know she's supposed to do something, she's just not sure what:)
• Can wave "Hi" or "Bye"

Notables:

• Stell is pulling up, cruising and getting down like a champ. Actually the getting down is still a little shaky by she manages.
• She pushes the Radio Flyer wagon at a beginner level I would say:) She really loves it but she is super cautious still. Overall she is way more cautious than that brother of hers. He bulldozed and she tiptoes...so stereotypically.
• She still only has 2 teeth...but about 3 or 4 are ready to break through any day now on the top
• Babbles a lot these days...says mama (yay!)
• Never lets us change her diaps or her clothes...she immediately flips when we attempt to undress her
• Loves to get reactions out of us by dropping her food on the floor or blowing raspberries with food in her mouth (lovely)

Here's some "everyday Mei" photos full of crusty noses, funny hats, fashionable head bands, crazy faces and nakey bodies:)

This one's boring to watch but just wanted to document...skip to the video below if you are short on time:)

This video is a hoot...Stelly's a mess (Italian wedding soup all over her) and is in hysterics because Aston is drinking grapefruit juice and making sour faces

Last but not least...the compare photo (both 8.5 months)