Nine Months

Jaren is nine months old today. Whew! It's been a ride. Bumpy at times. And noisy. But this guy is SO much fun and is just a funny kid that I can't imagine not having him around.

I think I can officially say that the worst is long gone. He doesn't cry at all much anymore, and when he DOES it can be fixed. And he goes to bed at 7:00 pm and wakes up at 7:00 am and there are no more middle of the night visiting hours. He sleeps for two good naps, doesn't mind going on car trips, and loves to sit and entertain himself while I am teaching lessons or doing something else.



Here are some things about him:

• He LOVES to hear the sound of his voice. He usually competes for highest volume during my voice students. This results in him being banished to the other room. He experimented with his squeal during church last week and he found it was a very effective way to get to sit in the foyer instead of in sacrament meeting.


• He loves to suck on his blanket, socks, stuffed animals, anything he can get his hands on.


• Has two teeth -- still


• Got his hair cut yesterday. By me. Just the long stuff over his ears. It does not look good. Brian finally admitted that he would rather pay $10 than have me touch his hair with scissors.


• Loves being outside or in the stroller.


• Is very wary of showing his charms to strangers. He will sit and stare at people until he deems them worthy of his affections.


• Is a mamma's boy.


• Loves to babble and sing.
  
• Still not crawling and shows no desire to even try. I guess this is a mixed blessing.


• Has gained about 2 1/2 lbs since starting formula a month ago. It was definitely the right decision.

We took the family to get family pictures done yesterday. My friend Tanya took them in her gorgeous wooded backyard. It is never easy getting a group of five focused and smiling but she did a great job -- aided by her daughters Emilee and Natalee who served as resident goofballs to get my kids to smile. We got some really good shots that totally capture the personality of the kids. I am thrilled that one of them was even "wall worthy" and we are getting it blown up to put above our fireplace. Yay!! I can't wait to go back in a few months when I am worthy of a family photo where I don't have to hide behind a child. :)