NINE

NINE.

our sweet Judee is nine whole months.  I could probably say that this is my favorite age.  but then last month was also my favorite age.  oh and 6 months was great.  I cant even begin to express how much joy this little tiny human brings our family.  I'm like a broken record!  but for real.   he smiles and my world melts around me and I want 47 more babies just like him.

just.like.him.

(also these photos are becoming EXHAUSTING)

look at this face.  it took 9 whole months but we finally have the greatest depiction of his personality.

this.  the scrunched up nose.  the squinty eyes.  and you guys- the smile from ear to ear that show every inch of his gums and SIX teeth.

you know what else?  I'm planning his first birthday party.  

what.  

killing me softly.  he's completely changed!  from that sweet sleepy babe to the spunky little thing he is now. 

Canaan at NINE months

Weight: 16 pounds  12.5 ounces ( 8th percentile)

Birth: 6 lbs 9 oz

Height:  27.5 in ( 17th percentile)

Birth: 19.5 in

Head:   45 cm ( 50th percentile)

we visited Dr. Tony for Canaan's nine month well visit and he's growing like a weed!  he is a tiny peanut, and has been since birth. but nothing of concern because he is healthy and staying right on his growth chart.   

Canaan at nine months is b u s y.

probably an understatement.

• baby giggles. we have the best belly laugh!   he giggles all the time and I cannot get enough.
• he gives the best kisses. seriously. he knows just what to do. we say "gimme kiss." and he comes in for the kill. he has taken her sweet snuggles and slobbery sugars to the next level.  my favorite!
• goes from sitting to standing position.
• baby steps!!! around his crib he has cruised the whole way around his crib waiting for me to come get him. 
• which means he makes his walker FLY!
• baby babble.  he says MAMA and DADA (finally) Dr. Tony was even surprised that he said MAMA first. we make lots of sounds and the Aah is his favorite, he fake coughs while practicing. 
• loves to play.  Canaan plays independently, but loves to be right in the middle of the dogs, where they are, canaan is sure to be right behind them! 
• he has mastered the pincer grasp but still prefers the hold his foods full fisted.
• shakes his head no.  
• his engagement.  he has started to seek out attention from others ( daddy, especially!) and will interact with giggles and vocally.  
• he is SO ticklish!  he buckles over in belly giggles when you tickle his belly.  
• he has mastered straw sucking. it is so funny to watch something so little to big boy things.
• he LOVES balls, he would chase them around the house ALL. DAY.
• wearing size 3 diapers + 6 month sleepers and 6-9 most clothes.

E A T

we have incorporated a pretty regular eating schedule over the last month or so.  adding in more meals and snacks throughout the day, and he doesn't seem to mind!  

most days while I am away at work (2-3 days/week) he takes two (6oz) bottles. 

daily feeding/solids schedule:

 6-7am: nurse

9am-9:30am: cereal + fruit + eggs 

10am: nurse (bottle)

1pm: fruit + yogurt + applesauce

4-4:30pm: nurse (bottle)

6pm: dinner (protein + starch + vegetable + yogurt)

7:30pm: bath

8pm: nurse/bed

I have noticed that my milk supply has gone down quite a bit.. it has been a slow decline over the last couple months, and I have honestly felt like he is still able to be satisfied when he nurses.  he doesn't act hungry in between the normal 3-4 hour increments.  BUT when I am away and have to pump, the amount I used to get per session (about 7-8 ounces) has gone to about 4 ounces per session.  this is still great, but when I need at least 12 ounces and more for the days when I am at work I made the decision to start supplementing with formula.  pumping when I'm at home to boost my supply is all but impossible right now with a very busy infant and working and has been causing more stress than it is worth.  its amazing how much adding just one little busy body to the mix can change so much!

I will still nurse him- especially at night and first thing in the morning- but I will also supplement and this is what is working for us right now.

as far as FOOD food goes- he's a big fan:)  his most favorite meal is probably any protein (mostly chicken) and mashed potatoes. He also loves rice, avocado, eggs, sweet potatoes, applesauce, greek yogurt, basically anything. he eats everything we eat. 

he loves these food+grain pouches and I love them for the convenience.  we are still doing a combination of baby led weaning and purees but we are mostly down with purees, if he gets them he gets them Sunday mornings for breakfast because we need to hustle or for a quick lunch- but I never usually feed him from a spoon unless it is those darn mashed potatoes that he likes (and we don't eat those too often around here)- because that would be a total mess!  any puree he gets is from a pouch and he can independently feed himself. 

S L E E P

Canaan continues to sleep well through the night- goes down between 7:30-8pm and will sleep until about 6:30am, wakes to nurse, and then sometimes goes back to sleep until around 8am.  our mornings have gotten to be like clockwork- which I appreciate.

his morning nap is pretty solid.. except if he is at glammas.  MOST of the time he will nap two and a half or even three hours in the morning.  the afternoon nap is all but gone, if he gets one its not in his crib its more like in the car if we are out. 

typical sleep routine

wake: 6am (nurse) and then back to sleep until 7:30-8am

nap #1: 10:30am-12:30-1pm

nap #2(if there is one): 3pm-4:30pm

bedtime: 8pm

P L A Y / D E V E L O P M E N T

his personality is emerging more and more every day. he is always on the move and literally will do the shuffle back and forth between mom and dad, and often will squirm until you put him down so he can make his way into every corner of the kitchen before I can catch up. He’s uber fast and we have to watch him like a hawk! He’s into everythaaaaang!!!  last month he was on the move, but it was slow and easily controlled.  my how things have changed!  

its all about the baby talk right now.  when he isn't screeching in protest or to grab the attention of everyone around him he's babbling away.  

we are working on waving goodbye and hello and peek-a-boo

C A N A A N

My sweet boy, you are 9 months!! How does this happen?! I literally blink and you are a month older. you're basically waking up every morning with a new skill.. keeping us on our toes!  The number scares me more so than seeing you grow. the change and difference I see in you nearly on a daily basis is so rewarding.  you light up our world little boy.  this picture is my most favorite picture of all time.  I cannot stop looking at it.. and for reasons beyond that amazing toothy grin, this picture perfectly describes you.  YOU the silliest little boy I know.  more personality than any one of us!

you are a bonafide goofball.

total nut job.

and now that you've found your giggle box I swear you'll never stop.

and we LOVE you for it.  we love you for this everlasting and never-ending joy you bring into this house.  you make it full.  I mean, you just get better and better- and literally kill me dead when you lock eyes with your mama and smile at me from across the room. 

you are the best snuggler.. you've become more and more lovey lately over the last month.  you put your head on my shoulder and its just the sweetest thing. whether you are sleepy, cranky, or just want some mama love- I don't really care the reasons for it. just never stop doing it!

with so many words, I could probably go on and on describing you, little boy.

..but just one phrase can sum it up perfectly - care-free.  or easy going.  or go with the flow.

 most every single day I find myself thankful for those characteristics in you. 

these last 9 months of getting to know you have been just incredible, Canaan.

there is nothing like your smile, nothing like your happy, nothing like your contagious belly giggles.

..and nothing like you, sweet boy.

how lucky I am to be your mama.

we love you baby boy.  

you are the most special tiny person and life is so beautiful with you in it!

nine month photo dump

when we decided it was time to lower the crib.

and what I was meaning when I said these are getting exhausting.... like wrestling wild animals.

Friday Favorites: Postpartum

Breast Pump  Mederma Nursing Bra Nipple Balm Tummy Support Full Panel Leggings

Aside from all the super fun items you leave the hospital with and you new baby of course, these were a few of my favorite things to have for myself and will most definitely have shall there be a baby no. two.

First would have to be the Medela Pump In Style Breast Pump (can you pump in style? I never once felt stylish doing it), we were best friends at 2 am on some mornings. Your insurance should cover this for you. I was fortunate enough to be able to have it covered.

Mederma stretch mark cream, I didn't up with them until 2 weeks prior to having Canaan-talk about depressing. It at least minimized their appearance which eased my mind. It obviously didn't make them disappear, I've accepted them, you should too!

Nursing bras, because......COMFORT. Whether you are nursing or not, I would totally invest in these. Im still wearing them 9 mos. PP

Honest Co. Nipple Balm, I promise your going to need it. 

Medela Post Partum Tummy Support is HEAVEN along with full panel leggings. I didn't realize how uncomfortable I would feel in my own body after giving birth but I felt as if someone had replaced my body with someone elses and again at nine months postpartum I am convinced that I will never go back to feel the way I did pre pregnancy, not bad, pregnancy just changes EVERYTHING. I mean my hair is still falling out. There really should be a sitcom on the realities of pregnancy and postpartum because its no walk in the park,. 

EIGHT.

this month tops the last that topped the month before that was even better than the previous. life with Canaan Jude just keeps on getting better.  I speak for everyone when I say that we are over the moon in love with this little peanut.  holy mobile he is all over the place and would climb the walls if he could. watching him grow and change and come into his very own personality has just been surreal for us.  during my entire pregnancy everyone (including us) was wondering and imagining how he would look and how he would act.. 

this boy. enough personality for all of us.

I cant believe its been eight months!!

whats new

SO many changes this month.  let me see if I can wrap this up into a summary:)

• crawling + moving + climbing.  this boy is NONSTOP on the move.
• teeth!  we have MORE teeth!  his two bottom teeth were already there and a the top two popped out of nowhere and by the time I finish this post I'm pretty sure the next two, one on each side of the top two will be through. This child does not make a peep about them coming in either. He just becomes extra lovey and wants his mama to hold and snuggle him. So bring on the teeth!
• sass.  his sass meter is in the red.  if that food is not getting in his belly fast enough we get all the tude.
• he's becoming much more vocal- making all kinds of noises and sounds, like MAMA. *cue the hallelujah chorus*  he talks to his toys and things in his crib when he's just woken from sleep. I caught him this morning playing with his little light up whale, turned it on himself and everything. the other evening we were at the store and a lady came up to talk to canaan, he had his bank in his mouth so I took it out and told him to say "hi" and he just went off on a two minute chatter spree with this lady. funniest thing ever. 
• we are slowly becoming an expert at pulling up, he hasn't tried it in his crib yet, but he is all over everything else.
• he gives the best sugars.. and now on demand:)  he grabs your face and leans in for a wet smooch!
• bath time is his FAVORITE.
• he is excellent at self play.  as long as he's right in the middle he is content with keeping himself busy for a good while.
• he's wearing size 3 diapers, 6 month clothes (for the most part).

E A T

 we are eating all kinds of things!  he's a pretty good eater, there hasn't been a thing he won't eat.  we have introduced her to lots of new things this month.  we really focus on that morning meal and an evening meal.  lunch is the occasional snack- whether its snacking on whatever mama is eating or teething crackers or something like that.  we are doing a combined approach method in feeding- I always start him with the table foods or whatever we are eating and then offer a fruit/veggie pouch for her to suck down.  I really feel like this approach has been working the best for us versus strict blw or strict purees.

Canaan still nurses several times a day.  first thing in the morning and about every 3-4 hours in between.  My supply dipped some when pumping while away at work. So Canaan now gets half breastmilk/formula when he i away from me. It was super hard for me and I still wonder if he has noticed. This kid goes with the flow but I seem to think it was all the Lord calming my heart about it because it was way harder for mama. I tried everything, I mean EVERYTHING to get my supply up. When I am home a full day and he only nurses he doesn't seem at all hungry so he is still mostly breastfed.

sweet thing.  I truly do cherish this time with my boy.  

daily feeding/solids schedule:

 7-7:30am: wake (nurse)

9:30:breakfast (fruit, oatmeal, eggs)

10:30am: nurse (bottle)

10:30am-1pm: nap

1pm: nurse (bottle)

1:30-2pm fruit+yogurt

5pm: nurse

6pm: dinner

7:30pm: bath

8pm: bed(nurse)

S L E E P

Canaan has a pretty consistent sleep schedule. his naps have never been a problem for us- and even when he misses a nap or his day sleep is interrupted he is a trooper.  I always make a real effort to be home in the mornings for him to get a solid nap in so that in the afternoon if we must get out and about a cat nap in the car will suffice for making it through the afternoon.  

some nights he will sleep all the way through until 7am and others he will wake once fussing and searching for his pacifier to fall back asleep. 

typical sleep routine

wake: 7-7:30am (nurse)

nap #1: 10:30am-12:30-1pm

nap #2: 3pm-4:30-5pm

bedtime: 8pm 

P L A Y / D E V E L O P M E N T

this boy is a mover and shaker all over the place.  Canaan is very skilled at getting around now, cruising around the furniture and everything she can get a grip on.  

trying to keep up with the dogs is is little life's goal. he keeps up pretty well, if I say so myself.  his crawling has become more efficient this month- last month he was more rocking and scooting on all fours and now this month he is here one minute and gone the next!  a little speed racer and can crawl so quickly across the room- before you realize it, he's gone.

he's started with the 'separation anxiety' - fussing here and there if I leave the room.  its short lived but very real!   

he recognizes himself in the mirror and loves to see himself in it. he's all smiles about 99% of the time.  I am so thankful for such a happy, smiley, little boy.  

his favorites toys include the dog toys and water bowls, don't worry we don't let him play with them. he loves anything he can put her mouth on.  everything goes in his mouth these days- the floor, the wall, toys, my necklaces.. anything you can think of and of course he always finds the smallest speck on the floor to stick into her mouth. 

C A N A A N

you are like a revolving door of change baby boy.  it is SO hard to believe how much you've grown and evolved- even in just the last couple months!  I have caught myself on more than one occasion calling you Moody Judeee, and Judeee(actually daddy and I seem to call you Judee more than Cannan)

  your eyes and smile are contagious.  You are so silly and literally have us in giggles most of the day.  If there is a toy, book, paci, food.. and if you decide you want it- well, you will stop at nothing to get it.  my silly, crazy haired little boy- I cannot get enough of you.  this last month has proven to be a big one for you and your independence.  you have gotten so much better at playing solo and while mom and dad play with you on the floor.  and let me tell you how proud I am of your sleep habits!  you have learned to self-soothe and in the morning when it isn't quiet time to get up yet you will lay in your crib and quietly play or babble and eventually fall back asleep.  I love to watch you on the monitor in the mornings or after a nap. when it is time to wake up you are so giggly and SO happy to see momma and dad.  I LOVE going to get you out of your crib.  screeching and laughter fills the room the moment you hear the door click open.  my heart swells and overflows with emotion and desire to just scoop you up and squeeze you tight.  it is always too long since I had see you the night before.  you are hilarious, SO adorable and simply beautiful to me, my sweet baby boy.  8 months.  time is flying and I'm trying to soak up every little bit of it.

8 month photo dump