9 Months Old

February 6, 2009

Dear Penny,

You are 9 months old! I can’t believe it. These months passed much more quickly than my 9 months of pregnancy. You are very entertaining. You love to babble and you use a lot of inflection when you talk. You have been shouting, “Ah, Ah, AHHHHH!” for some reason, which makes me laugh, and then you will start laughing as though you just told a funny joke. You are frightened of loud noises now, such as the vacuum cleaner and the food processor. The other night, I was trying to make cookies, but I couldn't use the mixer because it made you cry! This is because your hearing is very good!

I know your hearing is very good because back in December, I took you to the University so the students in the audiology program could practice testing a baby. It was hard for me not to help too much during the test. You did very well and you made me proud. Someday I will figure out how to download the video of your hearing test.

So far, your favorite things to eat are oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and bananas. Mmm. You love to eat and one of my favorite things to do is feed you. I am trying to sign to you, especially when you are eating, and you wave your hands at me whenever you watch me sign. I think you will start signing soon.

You have also started waving to people, although sometimes you get so excited you start flapping both arms. When we ask you, “Where’s Chupa?” or “Where’s Boom?” You will look around for one of the cats. You are more consistent with finding the cats than finding “daddy.”

You still really like to be held and you are happiest when you are on my lap or clinging to my shirt. Sometimes you remind me of the baby colobus monkey we saw at the zoo this fall. There was a mommy colobus monkey sitting up in a tree with a little tiny baby clinging to her chest. You could barely see the baby because his mommy’s hair kept him hidden. I felt like I could really identify with her. She was holding her little baby who was all tucked away and protected by his mommy. I watched them for a long time and thought, “I’m with you, sister.”

Speaking of hair, your hair is looking a lot like your daddy’s hair. You really are my golden child. I love to look at you when you are sleeping peacefully, or when you are playing, or when you are thinking. I marvel at you every day. I can’t believe how much better my life is now that you are in it. You will always be my baby colobus monkey.

Love,
Mom.