Nine Months, Already?!

Today is Skyler's nine-month birthday and he's having quite a day! We got up early (around 7 a.m.) and he was raring to go from the outset. He played in his playroom while mom got his breakfast ready. He enjoys eating just about everything (like his dad). This morning for breakfast he ate a whole banana (in slices) and a bowl of oatmeal. He chased the cat after lunch, watched some birds and lizards outside and then played with Angie, our sitter, for a couple hours in the play area.

For lunch today, we met Sky's girlfriend Bennett (and her mommy Kristin) for some fun in the park and lunch at the new French market store in Delray Beach. Sky showed Ben how big boys like to eat -- he gobbled some Cheerios, honey grahams, puffy snacks, a whole container of green beans, a whole container of bananas, and anything else he could grab from the table. The adorable little Ben was amazed that humans could consume so much! Several people came up to us asking if the kids were twins because they look so much alike with their blond hair and big blue eyes but we said, "nope, just neighbors ... must be the water." This happens just about every time we see Bennett -- maybe there is something to that water thing... Anyway, then Sky and mom went to the park and played on the swings and watched the boats go under the bridge on the Intracoastal Waterway. He's now taking a little snooze before the evening's festivities begin (probably a walk with mom and dad downtown).

Current milestones for nine months include: three teeth with more on the way; can wave hello/bye-bye; talks a blue streak and makes a lot of funny sounds with mouth, hands, fingers, etc. (likes to do raspberry sounds and woo-woo sounds with his hands over his mouth); crawls, sits and stands on his own; walks around holding on to things but hasn't take more than one solo step yet before falling (only a matter of time before he walks I suspect); likes playing peek-a-boo, patty cake and doing lots of songs/movements with mom; LOVES his books and being read to often; eats all baby foods and pretty much anything we give him (hasn't had much dairy yet but seems to like cheese); puts everything in his mouth; has a lot of friends at the bank (they all know him by name); loves his evening strolls on the beach and downtown Delray; loves to pet Hajime and Marley (we're working on gentle stroking/nice kitty). He also just started sleeping through the night with only occasional wake-ups. Still breast-feeding but only four or five times a day (he's starting to ween himself). He can drink out of a sippie cup but prefers a regular cup (even though it's rather messy). He's saying Da Da, Bye, Cat and what sounds to me like Mommy but it could just be what I want to hear. I'm working on it with him. He seems to be getting bigger each day. His face is rounder and I think he's more "Stumpfl" like lately. He resembles his cousins, especially Lukie. For Halloween next week, Sky will be a fire fighter and a clown (we'll be in New York for Hayden's 20th reunion that weekend and then home for Halloween). Where does the time go? Seems like only yesterday, he was making his first little cry at the hospital and now he's getting ready for trick or treat ...