Caroline Rides a Lion

Caroline turned 9 months old last week. She's getting so big and learning so much. It continually amazes me. She's got at least 4 teeth now, and more on the way. She's walking a lot with the assistance of our hands, or the furniture. Once in awhile she'll stand unsupported for a few seconds because both hands are occupied with a toy or something - but I don't yet think she realizes she's doing it! She's also learned how to open the cabinets, so I think it's time to install the locks I bought.







At her 9 month appointment she was 16 lbs 4 oz - so still a skinny girl (10th percentile) though she was about 28.25" long, which is 75th percentile. She does really well with all of the new foods she's always getting. So far she is not a picky eater and I hope she stays that way. Her least favorite food seemed to be bananas (believe it or not!) though she's starting to come around on that one I think. She sees me eating it and wants some too! Fine with me!





Caroline also likes hearing Greg play the guitar. It has a nice calming effect! :-) She will put her hand on it and feel the vibrations, or will bang on the strings because it makes a cool sound. It was so cute...the first time he played for her she took her little maracas and was shaking them along with the music! I wish I'd gotten that on video.





Mimi (my mom) was visiting us last week and we had a good time. When we went to the zoo Caroline liked watching the hippo eat, and still likes to watch the ducks and geese. There are a lot of peacocks roaming around too, and she liked to watch those. She also went on her first carousel ride! It was so cute. She sat in front of me, and held on to the little pole with both hands. She enjoyed watching everything move and all of the colors. We were riding a lion, and sometimes she'd reach forward to "pet" it.







The kitchen is also done. Hooray! All that is left to do some day is paint the walls a different color, but I don't think we'll get to that for a bit. We need a break. :-) We are really happy with how it turned out. Just to show you how much better it is, check out the "before" pictures. I think Auntie Karen would be proud. :-) She'll have to come visit us again and have a glass of wine in our fabulous space.

BEFORE (yuck!):




AFTER (we didn't have the stainless switchplate covers on yet in these pictures - though you can see my celebratory beer on the counter, haha):

Caroline Plays "Baby Godzilla"

I know, I've been a slacker at posting. We've been busy with all of the normal stuff along with our kitchen "remodel" or whatever you want to call it! That is almost 100% complete, so hopefully I will have pictures of that soon.



Caroline's been doing great. She'll be nine months old in a week, which in a way is hard to believe. But when I think about the baby blob she used to be, and what she's like now, the difference is incredible! She's a speedy little crawler which is allowing her to get into more mischief than ever before. She loves standing up and will now walk a bit if we hold her hands to keep her steady. She also hates having her clothes changed now. The way she screams when I put her clothes on would make you think I was beating her senseless. So hopefully that's a phase that ends soon. On that note, when I'm changing her clothes she likes to "escape" and go out to the railing by her room...she looks down into the living room like a little naked prisoner.





We had Greg's parents out to visit a couple of weeks ago and Caroline and the grandparents definitely enjoyed each other's company. Here are a couple of fun shots of her with them.





Here is Caroline playing what Greg likes to call "Baby Godzilla" with Grandma and Aunt Lisa...this is where we stack some blocks or whatever else is around, and she will come over and knock it down. This goes on for quite awhile. Good, clean, fun.



Lastly, we have a little video of Caroline enjoying some hugs and kisses. She was laughing way harder before we got the camera out, of course. But you still get to hear her giggle a little bit.