Kate at 9 Months

This post is a little late, partly because Kate's nine month checkup with the pediatrician was a little past her nine month "birthday" and partly due to sick kids and later a visit from my parents. 

It is amazing to see Kate changing so quickly. Frightening, really. The biggest thing is that she's starting to walk. It started with a one or two steps one day. I denied it completely. A couple days later she took four baby steps. I joked with Bob that I actually thought I saw her walking. The next day she walked about 5 feet. With each day, her confidence grows. 

Here, I'll say it, she is walking at 9 1/2 months. Reed walked at 11 3/4 months and Cora at 11 1/2 months. When they started walking, it pretty much took over immediately as their full time mode of movement. Kate is starting earlier and more gradually. Below is a video of her typical way of getting around. She either pulls up on something or sometimes stands up on her own in the middle of the room, she'll walk a bit, and then she will drop down to a crawl, either because she has lost her balance or wants to go faster.

This morning Reed told us that he doesn't like that Kate is walking. When we inquired why he felt that way, he said it was scary. I know, Reed, I know. Okay, he is actually afraid she is going to fall down, and I fear that my baby is slipping away to toddlerhood.  She is still so tiny that it's hard to believe. I think when Reed was her age, I think I would have said, I can't believe that he is so big. I don't know if I have a different perspective on this since I have a huge 4 1/2 year old sitting next to her or what.

Anyway, here are her stats from her checkup: Height: 30" (95%), Weight: 16 lbs, 13 ozs. (25%). Long and lean.

Kate is also really getting into babbling. Mama and Dada are her favorites (or perhaps ours, so we notice it.)  She seems to babble on like she having a big conversation. I don't know if this is an indication that she's going to be a big talker like Cora. With Cora, sometimes it seems like she physically can't NOT talk. She'll tell you that she is not talking (when clearly she is talking to tell you so.)

Kate continues to be a good, easy-going baby. She is sleeping better, no longer waking up around 2 am, though she still has an early wake up around 5 am. I have a house of early rising children. *sigh*

I see so much change coming in the next few months. I also can't wait to get back outside to play. I think Kate will have a whole new appreciation for the park this spring.