9 Months Later

Sparky: Robert had his 9 month well baby visit today. Of course he wasn't a well baby. My little brother started Friday evening with a runny nose. By the time he awoke this morning he was coughing so hard that he was throwing up & he was running a fever. Nana went with mommy to the doctors & we found out that he has a cold. The Tylenol mommy gave him worked to get rid of his fever, so the doctor said to keep plunging his little airways to clear him out. Onto the exciting stuff. Robert now weighs 21 lbs 4 oz & 27.5 inches long. He is in the 25% for height, 75% for weigh, & 50% for head circumference. I know those numbers make it sound like my brother is very disproportioned, but he really isn't. He looks like a chubby baby & his height thing is to be expected since he comes from circus midgets. The doctor was very impressed with his language skills & abilities. Robert has mastered crawling, pulling up, & cruising. He is moving on to walking while holding on to our parents' fingers & cruising with 1 hand. Mommy thinks he will be walking soon. Of course she says this not knowing how long it took daddy to walk, but if Robert takes after mommy then he will take his 1st confident steps while we are in Seattle spending the holidays with daddy's family. Mommy walked for the 1st time while out of town at a wedding around 1 year old :-)

Robert: Don't forget to mention that the doctor was pleasantly surprised at my zest for trying all kinds of food. She couldn't believe that I consume such a variety of food. I pretty much eat whatever my parents are having unless it has nuts or honey in it. So far the list of exotic food I eat includes kiwi, papaya, broccoli, & asparagus. I have also eaten meatloaf, BBQ beef, tortellini, & creamed spinach. I love rice, peaches, chicken, & cookies :-)

Sparky: are you done little man? Can I continue now?

Robert: sure thing Sparky :-)

Sparky: All righty then... Robert has learned to say dada, mama, Hey, baby, & hi. Of course there are a few other things he says that you are able to understand but he doesn't say them correctly yet such as "I'll do it" & mommy's favorite "I love you". The thing that my parents find so impressive isn't that Robert can say all of this but that he seems to understand the word association. He now spends most of his days saying dada when daddy isn't home & mama when mommy is at work. He will say hi & wave when mommy brings me inside from going potty & he yells hey when I am barking too much. He actually learned baby back in August & would cry angee baby when we was mad. He does his impression of I'll do it when he wants to do something himself. This usually occurs when he is being fed with a spoon. He takes it away from mommy & says I ewwwit. Robert also does his little I love you when he gives mommy kisses or in the morning when she gets him out of his crib. All in all it seems that everyone is becoming as impressed & smitten with Robert as our parents. Even though it has been a crazy ride for the last 9 months I don't think anyone in our household would trade it for the world :-)