It seemed like not much was happening, and then there was another explosion!

– First full water submersion. She went under for one second, three or four times at swim class! She loved it each time.

– Teeth numbers 3 and 4, her upper left and then upper right incisors broke through, a day apart. Finally, the biting has started to ease up, and I think it’s because she finally cut those two teeth. She had bruises and blood spots on her gums from them. Owie.

– Cruising. She can now walk along a piece of furniture, switching hands as needed to reach what she wants. She can also go from one item of furniture to another (or a person)

– Standing by herself! 30 seconds at a time before she loses balance! If she has even one of someone’s fingers to hold on to, she can go much longer.

– First blood draw from her arm vein :(. Because I’m not giving her iron drops the doctor wanted to check her iron levels at her 9mo appointment instead of 12. And since my vitamin d levels have been consistently low, I was worried about hers despite her daily vitamin d drops. So, blood. I held her still in my lap while a nurse held just her arm still, and the phlebotomist got her blood. The phlebotomist had a lot of trouble finding her vein, and dug around for probably 30 seconds (it felt like an eternity to me). She finally found it and then it was high fives from everyone for my brave little girl. She definitely expressed her displeasure during the whole thing, but didn’t cry or even fuss. More like whimpered a few times. She handled it better than I did! Oh, and her results came back looking great.

– 9 month well baby visit: she passed with flying colors. Here are the vitals:
Length: 29.5″ the same as her 6mo?? The pediatrician thinks they mismeasured at her 6mo. 99th percentile.
Weight: 24.5lb she’s thinning out as she grows taller. 95th percentile.
Head circumference: 45.5cm. 88th percentile.

– She’s been out as long as she was in! As a snarky coworker mentioned, that means she’s 9 months old (she isn’t quite yet). But this Saturday was as many days out as in. I thought it was a fun that half of her life has now been outside the womb, and that time when we were literally a single being (in many ways) will be a vanishing percentage of her life. As of now, more of her life was spent outside me than inside me, and that’s a strange milestone for me.

– Babbling includes, “nanana”

– For the first time this morning, when I went to hand her to Dad so I could go to work, she wrapped her arms around me.

– Bruising :(. I’m beginning to understand how bad teething can be. J has a purple bruise on her gums, as well as two little spots like blood blisters. She’s been chewing on everything and biting me for a week or so, and I’m hoping this tooth comes soon. I’m scared the biting won’t stop when it does though.

– Fear of strangers? She’s started crying every time other parents show up at daycare. No idea what that is about. She is usually wary, but I wouldn’t say afraid… Babies, who knows.

Not much to report this week! Improvements in standing and balance, and she’s clearly ready to walk, if only her body would cooperate.

– First nursing strike/major sleep regression. I dunno if it’s teething or what, but she’s having trouble both nursing and sleeping. It seems like she wants to do both but something (pain?) is making her stop. No fun for anyone, poor little girl.

– On day 2 of swimming class, she figured out that kicking in the water will propel her forward (any kicking, currently, because when she kicks, I’m supposed to move her). This has made bathtime a much splashier, wriggly affair.

As one of their February activities, J’s daycare asked the parents to write a valentine love letter to their kids, which will be read to the child by a guide during circle time. For posterity, here’s mine:

Dearest J,

There are so many thing I love about you. I love the first sleepy smile of the day and the way you rest your head on my shoulder when I pick you up to start the day. I love the way you giggle when you get excited and the way you kick one leg up when you nurse. You are a determined, fearless, beautiful, smart girl who I can already see is ready to take on the world and chase her desires. I love how when you want something you don’t give up trying to get it (even when it’s that handful of dirt dad so desperately wants you not to eat!) I love it when we play the step step game and your little feet kick like you are tap dancing, and I love the enormous smile you get on your face when you step step. I love how when we say good night to the baby in the mirror every night, you look around for dad even if he’s not home, and the way you crane your neck at the sound of his voice. I love watching you explore the world. You are so ready to try anything and everything, whether it’s food like the lemon you chewed on the other day or swimming lessons in a crowded pool or sitting with your grandpa only 5 minutes after meeting him. When you were born my life changed further and faster than I ever thought possible. But even through those first exhausting, terrifying weeks, I knew that having you was exactly how I was meant to be. I can’t imagine that I will ever feel anything but joy that you are part of my life, that you are exactly who you are. Your father and I are the luckiest people in the world to have had you for a daughter. I love watching you grow and change and learn. I love being your mommy. Most of all, I love you.

– sucking her thumb. Obviously intentionally.

– First swimming lesson! She was unsure at first, not of the water but of all the noise and people. Ina few minutes though, she was splashing and having a great time.

– First bout of serious constipation. She pooped a little Wednesday morning, then nothing until Saturday afternoon. By that point we’d tried apple juice, prune juice, abdominal massage, and even a little Vaseline. Dad was out buying Pedialax at the doctor’s recommendation, and I was changing her diaper when suddenly she started screaming bloody murder. A moment later she had cleared the plug and we were both covered in poop (I was holding her, prepping the next diaper). Fortunately my mother in law was here, and she helped me get J cleaned up and watched her while I hopped in the shower and changed clothes.

– First time meeting Grandpa T.! She took right to him and is well on her way to charming his socks off.

– This one may not seem like a bug deal, but it was to me… For the first time I was able to transfer her from the car seat all the way to the crib without her waking up.