Happy 9 months! {and Merry Christmas}

Avery Claire, at 9 months, you:
- weigh 19 lbs, 12 ounces and are 28 & 1/2 inches long.




- LOVE to read! 9 out of 10 times, you will pick a book over a toy. You used to just want to turn the pages, but lately we watch you with your books and you look at the pages like you're really reading them. It's too precious!




- are pulling up on everything! Sometimes you can't decide whether you want to stand or sit, so you squat for a second, then stand back up.

- are a very friendly baby. You wave and say "Hi" to complete strangers. At the pediatrician's office Tuesday, you waved and said "Hi" to everyone you saw. Dr. Crenshaw couldn't get over how friendly you were and said that most babies your age have lots of stranger anxiety. Not you, little chick!

- love to shake your water bottle with pennies inside and make lots of noise!

- are very dramatic, which we find funny most of the time.

- are very silly, which we find funny all of the time!

- have been a Mama's girl lately. I love that you get so excited when I come in, and it doesn't bother me one bit that you sometimes get upset if I leave the room. I think your gums have been bothering you a little, which makes you a little clingy at times.

- you may be a Mama's girl, but you say "Dada" all of the time! And you can say "Hi" and "Bye, bye, bye." We're working on "Mama," though!



- have really started liking juice. You could take it or leave it until the last week. You turn up your cup now and drink big drinks!

- have the cutest, chunkiest little legs I've ever seen. These cute little legs won't even fit in the Bumbo seat anymore. How am I ever going to get you to be still to dry your hair now?



- your hair, by the way, is getting thicker and thicker. And, fingers crossed, it's still straight! It takes Mommy almost as long to dry your hair as it does to dry hers.

- love attention. And you've found a way to get it in restaurants. I can't imagine why you think all eyes should be on you!


- can stand on your own for a few seconds before you fall down.



- have started giving kisses, which Mommy and Daddy absolutely.eat.up!!!! There's nothing better in this world than your sweet kisses!


- have 5 teeth. The top right tooth just broke through and we think we can see the top left getting ready to come in! You like to bite on the toothbrush. If we try to brush your teeth, you stick your tongue in the way. But maybe you're getting them clean by chewing on the toothbrush....

- love your paci. We'll worry about the ramifications of that when the time comes. Mrs. Teresa says "paci babies are the best babies."

- love to stand at the window and watch for Win. You get so excited when he stands where you can see him.


- are into everything!!

- leave a little trail behind you wherever you go.

- have rhythm. Daddy gives you a little boom-chicka-boom-boom and you bounce your little booty. Too funny! (This video isn't the best of your dancing skills, but it's all we've got right now.)




- have started eating some "real" food, like applesauce and carrots. Daddy let you have a lick of his sucker yesterday and we gave you a bite of a strawberry frozen treat today and you loved it. You screwed up your little face because it was strong and then opened your mouth for more.

- are fearless. Daddy and I are semi-cautious people. Where do you get your dare-devil ways, child?


- because of your fearlessness, you're learning what "no" means. You will look at us when you're about to do something you know you're not supposed to with that, "Who, me?" look on your face. I'll admit, it's hard to turn you down.



- love to play peek-a-boo with whatever is in your hands. You think it's so funny when we "see" you!


- love Mommy's new iPhone and the "Peek-a-boo" app. You will sit still for as long as we'll let you keep playing.


- are having a very Merry Christmas. I love that you celebrated 8 months on Thanksgiving and 9 months on Christmas....the 25th doesn't fall that way every year, you know?


- are still a great sleeper. We had that one week of troubled sleep, but you've gotten back on track! Fingers are crossed that you keep it up! I love to go and get you in the mornings - you're always standing up, waiting, and so excited to see me!


- love to help Mommy & Daddy.


- are absolutely, positively the cutest little girl ever to be born! We love you more than words could ever say and are enjoying every second of watching you learn and grow! Even though we are sad that you are becoming less and less our baby and more and more our little girl, we are so excited that you are becoming a little girl with your own little personality and your own likes and dislikes. We thank God for every second He gives us with you. I am so glad God chose me to be your Mommy and Daddy is so glad God chose him to be yours, too. Your first 9 months have been the best of our lives and we look forward to all the new things you'll learn in the months ahead.

We love you so much, Avery Claire Davis!!