9 Months!

OMG Valerie Marta, how exactly has it come to pass that you've been here with us for 9 whole months? When my pregnancy seemed a lifetime, this time with you has been but the blink of an eye.

You are ridiculously funny now. You wave at us when we come into a room. You wave at the people you know. You have people you know, people you recognize because you've seen them before. How is that possible?

In the last 3 weeks you've gone from having no teeth to having 6 teeth. This sudden change has impacted how I feel about breastfeeding you, but we're working it out. You did decide to test those chompers on me three times (yep, they totally work, thanks) but we'll get through this. I remain more determined than ever to get you to a year with the breastmilk.

Someday you may thank me for it, but since you're my child I'm figuring you'll just roll your eyes if I ever mention it.

You do this amazing squat now, perched on one leg as if you're about to get up and walk unassisted. You crawl to things, mainly to something new to pull yourself up on. You love to stand holding onto things, picking up a toy while you're up there, putting it down, squealing and telling us all about it.

Your smile, it gets better every day. And that wave. God, it makes everything I've ever known or done seem absolutely insignificant next to you. Which it all is. Of course.

You've now been on an airplane 4 times and each time you have been amazing. Breastfeed on the runway, fall asleep by the time we take off and sleep until we get there, then wake up smiling.

I'm sure saying this will jinx it, but lately you've been a lot happier in your car seat. I can't thank you enough for this because hearing you cry when I can't do anything about it sucks. You're in your big girl carseats in both of our cars now, we've retired the bucket o' baby for you.

You'll ride in a stroller for bit longer than you used to. That's a very nice thing for us mommies.

I think all your growing and all your teeth is what's making sleep harder for you lately. We're doing our best to help you through it but right now you have two very tired mommies from all of this late night action.

Last week we went to the cardiologist with you and your stupid heart murmur is still there. This makes us very sad, even though it's very small.

You're eating everything we put in front of you. You'd rather feed yourself than eat baby food we feed you. You loved raviolis and meatballs. I'm so proud. You still love tofu and puffs, and will give anything else a try at least once.

I'm already thinking about your first birthday but like all things with you, I'm taking my time to enjoy each day between here and there. Happy 9 months, my sweet boo boo girl.