noah | nine months

Dear Noah,

The big news this month is you started walking!! A couple days before you turned nine months, you let go and took a couple steps on your own. Quite impressive little guy. And also, sort of crazy. Where did my tiny little baby go??

You still only have two teeth but you'll use those two teeth and your gums to eat anything I'll let you eat, and also stuff you shouldn't eat. Like banana peel and dried up burrs from the yard. You continue to be our loudest child. I really didn't think anyone could be louder than your sisters but your happy morning yelling echoes from one end of the house to the other. And when you're mad, the shrillness of your scream is piercing. And speaking of mad, you have a bit of a temper. No, make that a big temper. And should anyone try to pry something from your grasp against your will...well, you don't make it easy. I do believe you have crazy baby strength.  

You love our new kitties and they are learning to tolerate your tail pulling and eye poking. I have no idea why they don't run from you. I think maybe they just like any attention they can get, even abusive attention. You love your fuzzy blankets when you're tired and give big open mouth kisses (almost) every time I ask. You still don't say momma but are very good at "dadadadada" and "yayayayaya."

You are all boy. Your favorite activities include climbing everything and wrestling on the floor. The rougher we wrestle, the harder you laugh. And you are most thrilled when your sisters play or wrestle with you. Mia continues to be your other mother but informed me recently that you are getting too big for her to hold. I'm a little sad about that. I so loved to watch her cuddle you. But I have no doubt you two will be great buddies in the near future and will probably be more mischevious together than I would like. 

We won't talk about your sleep habits because they are terrible but I will say that snuggling you throughout the night will be something I miss. Someday. If you ever decide to sleep like a normal person. 

You are by far the sweetest, most lovable boy I have ever met. I am such a lucky momma.

Love you to pieces,

Your momma