Nine Months Old---- Already?!?!?!

Nine months have come and gone, just as quickly as the previous months, they always say: "Time Flies When You're Having Fun"... This month has been a month full of fun and excitement in the Helwig Household. Our sweet baby boy is babbling up a storm- He says "Dada" and "Mama"- we think he may have been saying "Maaaaaa" for awhile from his crib and high chair when he wanted out, but "Dada" was his official first word, which makes Dada a happy daddy :-) Griffin is scooting around and making his way around these days, be it by his backwards crawl or his infamous scoot on his behind with one leg bent forward and one leg bent back... I will have to get a picture of that- today the doctor told us that is by far the easiest way to get around, glad our little problem solver is already looking for the "easy way"! Griffin continues to be so curious, especially with anything new around him. He is quite the observer- always assessing each new situation and he loves to just take it all in. I love watching his curiosity through his eyes especially. We took a trip to Petsmart this week and it was so much fun to just watch all of the animals with Griffin. It is amazing what is out there that costs nothing and can be endless entertainment for a baby!!! (The car wash is another fun one!) This month Griffin began eating fresh fruits and veggies pureed. It is something that I now wish I had started long ago. Here are some of the ones we have tried in the last two weeks: Veggies- butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, soon to come are peas and green beans. Fruits- pears, applesauce, avacado, blueberry-banana, blueberry-applesauce and peaches. Our baby boy LOVES blueberries!!! I had a feeling of that when he favored anything with blueberries made by Gerber, but it is so much more evident now with the fresh blueberries. We have also tried out Puffs which are still a work in progress. Funny how everything goes in the mouth, until it comes to something that is supposed to.

Griffin went to the doctor for his nine month check-up today and got one shot- he was such a tough boy, he did not even cry- could it be that Daddy covered his eyes and he was so distracted that he missed it? Nah- we will just say he is our "tough" boy! Griffin is quite the long and lean nine month old... he is 30 inches long (90th percentile) and weighs 18 pounds and 13 ounces (15th percentile) and his head is at 18 inches (50th percentile). He is healthy as can be, which is the best news a Mommy and Daddy can hear from the doctor. Our baby boy continues to amaze us with his happy disposition and constant smiles and love of life. He has the most contagious laugh and he lights up each and every day of our lives with joy. I thank God each and every day for this most precious gift in my life.

Funny story... especially for those of you have been blessed (or not so blessed) with Nolan's presence... yesterday, as I was unloading the dishwasher, Griffin was playing on his quilt in the living room with his toys, not an uncommon activity for our morning... we have been working (REALLY HARD) with Nolan (i.e. his barking, jumping around 'baby', keeping away from 'baby's' toys, etc.) Well, Nolan comes running into the kitchen with his tail down- usually this means he has done something naughty... so I wonder what I am going to round the corner to find... Griffin sitting on his quilt-- and amongst all of his toys he has chosen to play with one of Nolan's stinky dog toys- IN HIS MOUTH!!! Nolan, of course, knew there was something wrong with the picture so he was coming in to TELL on Griffin!!! As much as Nolan drives us bonkers, he also never ceases to make us laugh! Wish I could have had a video of that moment to share with everyone!!

Trying to get our traditional picture in Gigi's chair- a little busier than previous months

Can you read it upside down?

Okay, we will try again later with the sign, just smile : )

Sweet Nine Month Old Baby Boy

Remember what Mommy said about the bumpers in her previous post? Here is what Mommy walked in to after my afternoon nap-- Peek A Boo through the front bumper this time---

Peek A Boo- I see you!!

Good thing Daddy came home to help us get our traditional picture

Now you can play

Getting a closer look

All done?

Trying strawberry apple puffs for the first time

Breaking the puffs into little pieces for Mr. Man

Puffs, puffs, puffs - stuck to my fingers

Puffs, puffs, puffs - stuck to my face

Video Clip of the week: Silly Boys and Silly Noise (Daddy and Griffin)