First, he has started pulling up on every single thing he can get his hands on! At first it was on things with easy to grip handles, then it was on things he could put his hands on top of to hold on and now, by nine months, he's even pulling up on flat surfaces such as the stove!
Also, about two and a half weeks after starting to pull up Lincoln began to crawl. At eight months he was army crawling and I was nervous he would not "really" crawl at all- but sure enough he's crawling all over now!
Last month he said his first word "mama" and now he says "baba" "dada" and I've heard him say "hi" and "book" once or twice. He has three teeth and can wave bye bye (although he doesn't always do it) and he likes to bounce when he hears music.
He thinks "no" is hilarious and he laughs at more things now and is less serious. He also is pretty sassy when he wants to be (hence the photo below).
His nine month doctors appointment didn't go so well unfortunately. He lost 10 ounces due to a 3 week long ear infection impacting his appetite and he was having some issues with his "little man" which I won't detail and on top of it he is having major aversion to solid foods and pretty much any food with a texture. We're hoping all of the issues are starting to resolve themselves now but its been a rough month for all of us.
At his nine month appointment he weighed 19lbs 4oz and was 27.5 inches long; almost 10 inches since his birth length. He is bouncing between the 40th and 50th percentile for weight and height.
This month has been rough is so many ways. First, Lincoln being sick and me working unholy work hours for a 6 week period. I have also been sick and Fred is not feeling the greatest either due to one of his medical conditions. So we're all a bit run-down in our household. We're also seeing first hand the exhaustion that comes with a 9 month old. It is a whole new ballgame compared to a 5 or 6 month old. Once he started moving it was all over! I have no idea how people can say this is an easy age. I think it is a more fun age but "easy" um- no. If by easy you mean exhausting! I watch my aunt's 3.5 year old now and its like a vacation! He can entertain himself for a few minutes and I don't have to worry about him bashing his head on or into something every second!
Exhausting as he is these days we are enjoying every day with him. That smile just melts our hearts and I snuggle him and stare at him wondering how, after all our struggles to have a baby, did we get so lucky.
For the first few months of Lincoln's life I couldn't wait to plan baby number 2, but as he gets a little bit older and more active I can see that might be something we put on hold for a little while. I'm not sure how long but I think our feelings on the issue are changing a bit. I don't think a second child is off the table but I think we're coming around to the idea that our children do not have to be the typical two years apart.
In other news I am likely starting a 3rd job in May. Yes, 3 jobs. However, one is 83% time, one is 20% time and another is only 1-2 hours per week. So all and all once the hell of data collection is over in mid-May, I'll be working a typical work week. I was hesitant at first about accepting these other jobs but I can't turn down the extra money. They are not set in stone yet but I should know soon. The raise will be substantial and while I won't get more time at home with Lincoln we will be able to afford good child care and Fred will be able to stay home with him and not take side jobs. So, while I'd love to be the one home with him- as long as he has more time with one of us we can count ourselves lucky.
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