To Lydia at 9 Months

Sweet Lydia,

It's so hard to believe that you have now officially been out of the womb as long as you were in it! And, I must say that these 9 months have been so much better than the ones in the womb! You are such a smart, energetic, and happy little girl! You amaze me everyday with the things you are learning! In fact, today you officially waved goodbye to me! That was super exciting! It was prompted by me, but you reciprocated.
Here's some of the other things you have been doing this month:
*You are getting much greater balance on your feet. You can stand very well on your own and have gained confidence in taking a few independent steps. You don't hesitate like you used to. And you are successful in making it a couple of feet. I expect you to be walking all over this month! And I actually think I'm ready for you to so that you'll stop noticing all the little pieces of grime on the ground and sticking them in your mouth!
*You play peek a boo with us now! You have always been a fan of the game, but now you will duck behind a chair or curtain and pop out for us to laugh at! I can't even describe how it makes my heart melt!
*You have actually become a little more cuddly with me! This I could get used to! Every once in a while you will lean your head on my chest and just lay there. I treasure these moments.
*You have perfected your little pincers! They are always wanting to pick things up from your food to the grime on the floor. And, of course, everything goes to your mouth!
*You had surgery on your eye this month. It was a fairly small procedure done in the doctor's office. You were swaddled up super tight and strapped to the table so that you wouldn't move. This, you didn't seem to mind at all. You were looking at everyone curiously, trying to figure out what was going on. Then the procedure started and that's when you got mad. The doctor was putting a small tube through your tear duct in order to open it up so that you would stop getting all the watery/gunky eyes. We're still waiting to see if it works. If it doesn't then we will have to go through it all again. We're really praying for you!
*You have fallen in love with table food! Anytime you see us eating, you expect a bite of it! And you will stay at our knees begging. Unfortunately there are still many things you can't eat because you only have 2 teeth. But you don't care! You will eat anything that comes your way!
*Your new favorite toy: Plastic Easter Eggs. I found some lying around a few weeks ago and decided to throw them in your toy bin. It was love at first sight! You love the bright colors, banging them together and carting them around everywhere with you. You also love maracas, blocks, your walker, books, paper/cardboard, and all of the untouchables (computers, remotes and cell phones).
*You can often be found playing under things. You enjoy being under tables. This has given me a great idea for your Christmas gift! I'm excited!
*I pulled out Daddy's juggling balls the other day and you think they're the greatest! It's fun to watch Daddy juggle, but even better to watch Mommy! For some funny reason you find it hilarious when I attempt to juggle. Probably because I can't and am constantly dropping/throwing the balls all around the room. You can't seem to stop laughing at me!
*You've also developed a little bit of an opinion. If you don't get what you want, you will throw a fit. We are quickly trying to teach you that this is not okay so that it doesn't get out of control. But I didn't expect this to happen so quickly.
*Along with the last one comes the fact that you have figured out how to open cabinets. We took the next step of baby proofing and put latches on all of the dangerous cabinets. This infuriates you! You get so frustrated that they won't open for you anymore! However, you have also figured out the cabinets that we have not put latches on and are enjoying pulling out pots and pans, etc. You will be in for a rude awakening when those ones get latches very soon too.
*Another reason I think I am ready for you to start walking is that you are into everything anyways. You are constantly on your tippy toes reaching for whatever you can grab off of tables and counters. You don't tend to play with things for very long once you get them. It's just fun being able to reach things and pull them down. Like your books off of your shelf, for example.
*You have started putting things into compartments now. Like balls into the compartments of your walker. This has only happened a couple times so far, but I know it will become more frequent and I will start finding socks in the silverware drawer (Like your cousin Caleb)!
*Along with all of these things, you are developing a sweet personality. You can often be found playing with your toys and cocking your sweet head to the side. This surprises me because this is something I did a lot as a little girl. Anytime someone would tell me to smile for a picture, I would also cock my head to the side. It reminds me that you truly are my little girl!

Overall, this month has been a joy! You dressed up as an angel for Halloween and it was the perfect costume for you! You truly are an angel. We love you and wouldn't trade you for the world! I went through all of the videos we have of you the other day and it was so precious to watch your developments from a little smile to a fully animated little girl! I'm excited for more! Keep on shining Angel!

Love,
Momma