Baby Jack is 9 months old (10 months tomorrow–I’m just behind on everything lately), and we have definitely hit a sweet spot in life. We moved, we are prepping for our first airplane trip with baby, and we are LOVING every minute (mostly). The summer was tough for me personally. Once July hit, I had gotten extremely behind in work and was spending all my free time at home trying to catch up. I hit a new low (or high?) and once got up at 3am to work, and then left for the clinic at 6:30am. Somehow that very same day, I went to Orange Theory for a 7:30pm class and then to Target. I’m crazy, ya’ll! 

Now that August is here, I am starting to feel better. I am exercising regularly, making it a priority to go to bed early on some nights, which I’m hoping will make me more efficient and present at work. Yung has been incredible, and basically has unpacked our entire house (I have not unpacked one box since we’ve been here), is fixing all the things, and started a new job too. We are making time to spend one on one time together after Jack goes to bed, and I am looking forward to this new season.

Jack updates:

Growth:

At 9 months, Jack weighed 19 lbs 10.8oz (50%ile), 28.5in long ( 55%ile), and 18 3/4 in head (>95%ile). He had a great check up! He is so much more aware of everything, so I knew he would cry a little bit, especially when we had to lay him down for his measurements and exam, but overall, he did well. I was happy that we got a break with the vaccines too.

Development: 

At 8 months and 2 weeks, Jack started scooting backwards, and the very next week, he started crawling. He started crawling a little one day, and then the next day, he became lightening fast. Right around 9 months and 1 week, he started pulling to stand. He can stand in his crib and it’s the cutest thing. He is still doing lots of babbling and talking and is perfecting the pincer grasp. We subscribed to Lovevery baby’s toy kits, and they are perfect for him and me. They come with very clear instructions on how to play with your baby to help them develop, which I take comfort in. I thrive with direction! He understands when we say “no-no,” cries if you take something away from him that he’s held onto for at least 30 seconds and is very observant. He cocks his head to the side to try to see something around the corner and looks down on the floor when he drops something. 

Eating:

Jack continues to take breast milk in a bottle (up to 30oz per day, but more like 20-24oz most days) and he is eating purees and finger foods. He has recently been refusing purees. I wouldn’t call him a greedy eater, but he is getting more interested in feeding himself. It’s so cool to see him make progress! We started practicing with puffs around 8 months to work on his pincer grasp, and for weeks and weeks, most of the puffs ended up on the floor. He is now very proficient in eating puffs and gets excited when I bring out the package. I have a running list of finger foods that he has tried, and it is getting longer. So far, he loves green peas, and hasn’t really rejected anything completely. Jack can also drink water from a 360 sippy cup and a straw sippy. We first introduced the cup around 6 months and I thought there was NO WAY he could do it. Babies are amazing!

Sleeping:

After we sleep trained back at 5.5 months (thank you Taking Cara Babies!), his sleep has mostly been a dream. We are seriously forever grateful for TCB and I have learned SO much about baby sleep. It has become a new mini passion of mine, as I am realizing a little late that sleep in babies, toddlers, and big people alike is so important. Jack’s bedtime is 6:30pm-7pm and he sleeps until 6am (sometimes a little later) in the morning. He naps twice a day (1.5h-2h each), and this type A mama, is giddy that our routine is finally somewhat of a schedule. Jack did have a phase where he was waking up at 4am ready for the day, and then it became 3am, but thankfully a little body reset made that all better. 

Likes:

Crawling fast, pulling up on everything, pulling up using on one hand, with a toy in the other, reading books, bathtime (This varies, but we have figured out to bring safe household items (like tupperware) for him to play with, and it makes bathtime less painful), daddy making silly faces and making him laugh, and chasing after balls/toys. Jack is like a cat. He will roll a ball, chase after it, catch it with his hands (sort of) and then roll it some more.

Dislikes:

Laying down flat (diaper and outfit changes require a song and dance routine), car seat and car rides (just screams and screams. It’s not as bad when someone is riding with him in the back). 

Current schedule:

0600 Wake up + bottle + change clothes for the morning. I spend this hour pumping if I haven’t done so already (Sometimes I pump before Jack wakes up) and Jack has playtime. I pump a total of 5-6x/day. 

0700 Breakfast

0800 Playtime! Jack crawls around while I chase after him and try to get him to play with developmental toys.

0845 Diaper change, back into jammies. Jack doesn’t use a sleep sack, but I change him into long sleeves for each nap and night sleep. Bottle, book, sing a song and rock.

0900 Nap!

1030 Awake! (nap time is about 1.5h); Diaper change, outfit change

1100 Bottle (yes, Jack eats a bunch), playtime

1200 Lunch and playtime afterwards.

1330-1400 Nap (Jack goes down for nap #2 about 3.5 hours after he wakes up from nap #1)

1530 Awake!

1600 Bottle, playtime

1630-1700 Dinner 

1730-1815 Playtime!

1815 Bath, jammies, book, bottle, sing, rock and cuddle!

1900 Sleep! 🙂 Yung and I do a happy dance and hi five each other! 🙂 (no, really.)