Silas at 9 months

Silas, you are nine months old today. You have changed so much in a month! It has been super fun to watch your world expand as you become more mobile and understand language more. When we got back from Tacoma after Christmas, you really started to crawl in earnest, and then, to our amazement, began pulling yourself up on furniture just a few days later! In a couple weeks you began to try to transfer from one object to another, and then move along the couch. In the last few days, you have begun to figure out how to get yourself down from a standing position. The exception to this is in your pack 'n' play - when you stand up in that, you helplessly cry out for us to come to your rescue.

You love to play "tag" with your sisters, crawling around the living room after them. They can really get you laughing with this game, as well as peek-a-boo and making silly noises for you.

Daddy and I often sing to you during your nebulizer treatment; it makes the minutes go faster for you and us, and entertains you. If your mood is right, we sing silly or joyful songs. If you are sleepy or grumpy, we sing lullabies or peaceful songs. You have really shown an interest in music. When we sing, sometimes you seem to join in, moving your voice tone up and down. And when there is music playing, you will "sing" too, saying "aaaahhhhh" in a sing-song way. You also seem to kick your legs with the rhythm of music, like when Daddy played his banjo the other evening. It's really adorable. One day Daddy stuck you in front of his keyboard, and you enjoyed pushing the keys. You seemed to be singing when you did this, too. We also make the animal sounds to entertain you during the breathing treatments, and you really like the cow sounds. Saying "moo" always seems to make you giggle.

I am very tempted to say that your first word was "ma-ma." You were crawling down the hall looking for me one day, and you seemed to be calling for me. That was so precious. You also have tried to say "bye-bye" and make a wave motion. When we ask you to play the drums, you slap your highchair tray with one hand.

You are just about over your first cold. The doctor told us that your colds will probably last more like 10 days to two weeks. We have done extra breathing treatments, and you are able to get that cough going to clear things out. We are so thankful that you are doing well.

Silas, you are such a fun and busy little guy! We are grateful for your life, little buddy!